See inside The Pearl, home to Charlotte's first medical school
Why it matters: The Pearl promises to be a transformational development for Charlotte, drawing in medical students, creating new jobs in science and research, and fostering cutting-edge innovation and entrepreneurialism.
By the numbers: Phase 1 A cost more than $1 billion. Wexford Science + Technology is the developer for the project.
The city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County approved incentives worth $75 million total for the project that will unfold over the next decade.
What to expect: The Pearl will serve as:
Wake Forest University School of Medicine's Charlotte campus. Forty-eight students will start medical school there this fall. Class size is expected to increase to 100 students per class over the next five years.
IRCAD's North American headquarters, which will open in September. The France-based surgical training institute's local surgical training curriculum will focus on cardiovascular, neuro and orthopedic surgeries.
A hub housing STEM activities for students as young as fifth grade, starting this fall.
A space for community events, from outdoor movies and live music to yoga in nearby Peal Street Park.
Between the lines: The Pearl sits in what was formerly Brooklyn — once Charlotte's largest Black neighborhood. The neighborhood was razed in the name of urban renewal in the 1960s and '70s.
There are nods to Brooklyn throughout The Pearl, from the name itself to "The Purposeful Walk," a self-guided walk through Brooklyn's history, outside the main building.
The section in front of The Pearl's is known as Jacob's Ladder, a reference to the fire escape at Myers Street School, which educated Black children and was known as the Jacob's Ladder school.
During the opening celebration Monday, attendees participated in paint by numbers, filling in a section of the Savoy Theatre mural, which was once a theater in Brooklyn.
What's next: The existing portion of The Pearl is Phase 1 A. Phase 1 B will include the construction of a hotel, which will break ground this fall. There will also be a multi-family residential and an additional road. This will be privately funded.
A restaurant that will be open to the public is expected to debut in the next 12-14 months with an announcement on the restaurant tenant coming this summer.
The innovation district currently has roughly 700,000 square feet built and space for up to 4 million square feet.
The bottom line:"If you build it they will come," Advocate Health CEO Gene Woods said, quoting the film "Field of Dreams." "Well we built it, and they're coming."
Take a look around.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NDT Global Announces Strategic Addition of Entegra®
United, NDT Global and Entegra's advanced inspection technology platforms to expand capabilities and market reach, solidifying our position as a global tech authority in pipeline in-line inspection QUÉBEC CITY, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NDT Global, a leading provider of advanced diagnostic inspection and integrity solutions for the energy sector, is proud to announce the acquisition of Entegra, a premium technology company specializing in Ultra-High-Resolution Magnetic Flux Leakage (UHR MFL) in-line inspection services. This strategic union brings together two market-leading technology providers significantly enhancing NDT Global's service portfolio, strengthening its growing position in the gas pipeline market, and reinforcing its continued commitment to delivering the best data driven insights and high-performance integrity solutions. Together, NDT Global and Entegra are affirming their stance in redefining the future of pipeline integrity. By harnessing the power of technology, the complimentary services will act as an enabler for safer, more cost-effective pipeline operations, empowering customers with the insights needed to make smarter, faster decisions for their assets. The combination of NDT ILI, Dynamic Risk, and now Entegra brings together highly complementary technology platforms in ultrasonic testing (UT), Acoustic Resonance (ART), UHR MFL, and data management solutions, creating a unique set of solutions for pipeline operators seeking best-in-class data-driven inspection, diagnostic, and integrity services across a diverse asset base. 'This is a pivotal moment for NDT Global,' said Martin Thériault, CEO and Chairman of NDT Global. 'Entegra's entrepreneurial spirit, technical leadership and excellence, and deep market knowledge make them an ideal fit for our joint vision going forward. The company will work on accelerating the development of next-generation inspection technologies and, in return, deliver an even greater value to customers through enhanced service offerings and global reach." Paul Cooper, President of NDT Global, highlights 'The addition of Entegra's market-leading capabilities to our portfolio allows us to offer a broader, more integrated suite of solutions to our clients. It also helps us to better serve the growing needs of the gas pipeline sector, where Entegra has built a strong reputation for innovation and reliability. All in all, the merged entities will accelerate our joint growth journey based on technology and innovation. It's a bold step forward in our mission to deepen partnerships and lead the industry with innovation that protects what matters most.' 'I can't thank Amberjack Capital enough for their direction and support the past 10 years, and I'm really excited about what we're going to achieve in the next phase of our growth story as we bring together the two best brands in in-line-inspection' said Mark Olson, Chairman and CEO, Entegra. 'Our purpose, our 'Why' if you will, is to make better every pipeline with which we interact, and this deal accelerates that quest by several years.' The combined entity will benefit from expanded international reach and the ability to deliver joint UT and MFL scopes, axial and now circumferential, to valued clients. This move also supports NDT Global's and Entegra's long-term vision of becoming the most trusted partner in pipeline integrity management. The transaction was made possible through the continued support of Novacap, the majority shareholder of NDT Global, alongside La Caisse (formerly CDPQ), and NDT Global as well as Entegra founders and executives. Before today's announcement, Entegra was owned by Amberjack Capital Partners as well as a group of co-founders led by Mark Olson, who played a pivotal role in building the company's reputation for innovation and excellence in the MFL space. As part of the transaction, the NDT Global and Entegra founders and key management will remain shareholders of the combined company. "We are thrilled to unite two leading innovators in the ILI industry, combining world-class technology platforms and talented teams. This partnership enhances NDT's ability to serve customers and uphold the integrity of critical infrastructure globally. We are proud to continue our partnership with Martin, Paul and the NDT team, and we warmly welcome Mark and the entire Entegra family as we work together to build a stronger, more impactful business together' added David Lewin, Lead Senior Partner Novacap. 'NDT Global has distinguished itself through its ability to innovate and develop state-of-the-art solutions, becoming a global reference in the integrity and inspection services industry,' adds Kim Thomassin, Executive Vice-President and Head of Québec at La Caisse. 'With this investment, La Caisse is strengthening NDT Global's ambitious growth strategy through both equity and debt financing — building on our recent support to unlock the company's full potential.' Jason Turowsky, Managing Partner of Amberjack Capital Partners, said 'Amberjack is proud to have supported Entegra's exceptional growth, driven by its talented team and commitment to innovation. We are confident the combination with NDT Global will propel further advancements in pipeline integrity solutions, benefiting clients globally. We congratulate Mark and the Entegra team and look forward to their continued success.' McCarthy Tétrault LLP and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acted as legal advisors to NDT Global, while Jefferies LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to NDT Global. Sidley Austin LLP acted as legal advisor to Entegra, while Baird acted as its exclusive financial advisor. ABOUT NDT GLOBAL NDT Global is the leading provider of in-line diagnostic solutions, integrity management and subsea robotics solutions, offering advanced data insights and services that ensure the safety and longevity of energy-sector infrastructure assets. Recognized as the forerunner in ultrasonic inspection innovations—including Pulse Echo, Pitch-and-Catch, Phased Array, and Acoustic Resonance (ART Scan) technologies — the company continues to push technological advancement and the introduction of revolutionary new inspection technologies, including gas pipelines, to ensure the safety of its customers' critical assets. NDT Global employs approximately 880 people. Learn more at ABOUT ENTEGRA Recognized as the industry-leading, trusted supplier of in-line inspection services for corrosion, 3rd party damage, pipe grade classification, hard spot assessment, and for assessing the effectiveness of cathodic protection systems for oil and gas pipelines, Entegra provides the most thorough, clear, and nuanced knowledge about the condition of pipelines inspected. The Company offers ultra-high resolution axial MFL, circumferential MFL, Caliper, low-field, GPS mapping, and cathodic protection current mapping services for critical energy infrastructure. Learn more at ABOUT NOVACAP Novacap is a leading North American private equity investor and one of Canada's most experienced private equity firms. Founded in 1981 to partner with visionary entrepreneurs, Novacap focuses on middle market and lower-middle market companies in four core sectors: Technologies, Digital Infrastructure, Industries and Financial Services. Novacap combines deep sector specific expertise and strategic and operational excellence to partner with entrepreneurs and management teams. Since its inception, the firm has made primary and add-on investments in more than 250 companies. With over C$11 billion in assets under management and a presence across offices in Montreal, Toronto, and New York, Novacap accelerates value creation through strategic growth initiatives and a strong focus on execution. For more information, please visit: ABOUT LA CAISSE At La Caisse, formerly CDPQ, we have invested for 60 years with a dual mandate: generate optimal long-term returns for our 48 depositors, who represent over 6 million Quebecers, and contribute to Québec's economic development. As a global investment group, we are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private credit. As at December 31, 2024, La Caisse's net assets totaled CAD 473 billion. For more information, visit or consult our LinkedIn or Instagram pages. La Caisse is a registered trademark of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec that is protected in Canada and other jurisdictions and licensed for use by its subsidiaries. ABOUT AMBERJACK CAPITAL PARTNERS Amberjack Capital is a private equity firm that invests in and partners with entrepreneurs and business owners to build market leaders serving the industrial, infrastructure and environmental services end markets. Often the first institutional investor in founder-led companies, Amberjack has a particular focus on supporting high performing companies undertaking strategic or transformative initiatives. Headquartered in Houston, TX, the firm has raised $2.1 billion of committed capital since its inception in 2006 and has invested in over 50 companies. For more information: Tracey MurrayDirector, MarketingNDT GlobalTel.: (403) 819-9351tmurray@
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Renault names François Provost as CEO and chairman
Renault Group has announced the appointment of François Provost as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Renault S.A., as well as chairman of Renault s.a.s. for a four-year term. Provost will also serve as a director of both entities. The decision was made by the board of directors, led by chairman Jean-Dominique Senard, and based on the Governance and Remuneration Committee's recommendation. Provost's career with Renault Group began in 2002, after a stint in senior public administration. Over the years, he has held numerous executive roles within the company, including Renault-Nissan Portugal's CEO and also Renault Samsung Motors' CEO and chairman in Korea. His international experience and leadership are said to have been instrumental in forging significant collaborations with industry giants like Geely, Aramco, and Nissan. In 2023, Provost joined the group's leadership team, taking on responsibilities as chief procurement, partnerships and public affairs officer. His appointment as CEO is seen as a move to ensure the continuity of the group's development, especially in international markets and through strategic collaborations, while upholding the company's values and performance standards. Provost said: 'I will dedicate all my energy and passion to contributing – alongside our 100,000 employees, our dealers, suppliers, and partners – to the development of our Group, one of the flagships of French industry for the past 127 years. 'Renault Group benefits from strong fundamentals, with committed teams, an outstanding range of products, strong brands, and an innovative organisational model. These will be invaluable assets as we accelerate our transformation in an increasingly demanding environment for our industry.' Earlier this month, Renault Group appointed Duncan Minto as the interim CEO of Renault S.A. Also, the Group recently named Nicolas Paris as the successor to Stephane Deblaise as CEO of Renault Korea Motors Company, effective from September 2025. Renault Group has also reported a slight rise in overall sales for the first half of 2025, with a 1.3% rise compared to the previous year, selling 1,169,773 vehicles globally. "Renault names François Provost as CEO and chairman" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
18 minutes ago
- New York Post
Google loses appeal in suit filed by 'Fortnite' maker Epic Games as app store verdict upheld
Alphabet's Google on Thursday failed to persuade a US appeals panel to overturn a jury verdict and federal court order requiring the technology giant to revamp its app store Play. The San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected claims from Google that the trial judge made legal errors in the antitrust case that unfairly benefited 'Fortnite' maker Epic Games, which filed the lawsuit in 2020. Epic accused Google of monopolizing how consumers access apps on Android devices and pay for transactions within apps. Advertisement 'Fortnite' maker Epic Games accused Google of monopolizing how consumers access apps on Android devices and pay for transactions within apps. AFP via Getty Images The Cary, North Carolina-based company convinced a San Francisco jury in 2023 that Google illegally stifled competition. US District Judge James Donato in San Francisco ordered Google in October to restore competition by allowing users to download rival app stores within its Play store and by making Play's app catalog available to those competitors, among other reforms. Donato's order was on hold pending the outcome of the 9th Circuit appeal. Advertisement The court's decision can be appealed to the US Supreme Court. Google told the appeals court that the tech company's Play store competes with Apple's App Store, and that Donato unfairly barred Google from making that point to contest Epic's antitrust claims. The tech giant also argued that a jury should never have heard Epic's lawsuit because it sought to enjoin Google's conduct — a request normally decided by a judge — and not collect damages. Advertisement Epic has defended the verdict and court injunction, telling the 9th Circuit judges that the Android app market has been 'suffering under anti-competitive behavior for the better part of a decade.' Google told the appeals court that the tech company's Play store competes with Apple's App Store, and that the judge unfairly barred Google from making that point to contest Epic's antitrust claims. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images In the trial court and in the appeal, Epic disputed arguments by Google that changes to its app business ordered by the court would harm user privacy and security. Microsoft filed a brief backing Epic, as did the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission. Advertisement Epic separately is battling Apple over a US judge's order requiring the iPhone maker to give developers greater freedom to steer consumers to make purchases outside its App Store. Apple has appealed a ruling that said it violated a prior injunction in a lawsuit that Epic filed in 2020.
