Design legend John C. Portman Jr. was in fine form on Thursday at the ribbon-cutting for his latest work, 615 South College Avenue in Uptown. John Portman & Associates did the design; John Portman Holdings was the developer.

The 371K SF, 19-story office property was built atop an existing parking garage. Visible from I-277, it features two-story balconies with views of both Downtown and South End Charlotte as well as an outdoor green space that connects the building to Stonewall Station, Downtown’s first light rail stop. The property is adjacent to the Westin as well.

The Stonewall Station platform connects directly to a Whole Foods retail development scheduled to open later this year. The building is aiming for LEED Gold, and will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, signage opportunities, and a tenant fitness center with locker rooms.

"The building incorporates the technology, amenities and aesthetics in demand by next-generation companies," John Portman & Associates design principal Gordon Beckman said. Co-working firm WeWork, a tenant, is already taking advantage of the building's open floor plates, which can create collaborative spaces.

Portman Holdings' Travis Garland is managing leasing in conjunction with Trinity Partners. Besides WeWork, Regions Bank and accounting firm BDO are already tenants in the building.

Bisnow's Daniela Castellon joined JPH execs, CRE industry leaders and local officials at the event.