Crescent Communities Sells Escent Research Park to Atrium Health, Supporting $340 Million Investment in Regional Healthcare
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Oct. 19, 2026): Crescent Communities, a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use and industrial communities, recently sold Escent Research Park, its four-story, 159,000-square-foot research and office building in Charlotte’s University City submarket, to Atrium Health. The acquisition will support Atrium Health's recently announced $340 million investment to expand behavioral healthcare across the region, including plans to transform the property into a new behavioral health hospital serving pediatric and adult patients.
Developed by Crescent Communities in the heart of University Research Park near UNC Charlotte, Escent was intentionally designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of tenants and uses. Virtually column-free layouts, expansive natural light, and large floor plates give the building the flexibility to support traditional office alongside research, testing, lab, and other specialized applications. The property's acquisition and planned transformation demonstrate how thoughtfully designed commercial real estate can evolve to serve changing market demands and critical community needs.
“Atrium Health's acquisition of Escent represents exactly the kind of long-term value we strive to create through our commercial developments,” said Sagar Rathie, Managing Director for Commercial Office and Mixed-Use at Crescent Communities. “Our mission at Crescent Communities is to build community and better people's lives, and it's especially meaningful to see that mission come to life in a way that will directly benefit the Charlotte region. Escent was designed to be a highly flexible, adaptable property that could evolve alongside the needs of its occupants. We're proud to see that vision realized through a project that will expand access to critical behavioral healthcare services for individuals and families across our community.”
The transaction also highlights the evolving role of commercial real estate as employers and institutional users seek properties that can accommodate increasingly specialized needs. While workplace strategies continue to shift, well-located, adaptable buildings remain attractive to organizations seeking long-term flexibility and value. Escent combines those attributes with a strategic location in University Research Park, one of Charlotte's most established employment and innovation centers, offering convenient access to UNC Charlotte, Interstate 85, Interstate 485, and the broader Charlotte region.
The campus features a two-story atrium lobby, collaborative gathering areas, outdoor courtyards, activated amenity spaces, and direct access to nearby walking trails and greenway systems. The property is also Fitwel, WiredScore Gold and LEED Gold certified, reflecting Crescent Communities’ commitment to sustainability, wellness and long-term environmental stewardship.
Recently, Crescent Communities announced the lease of nearly 197,000 square feet to financial services giant Capital Group at One Independence Center, with occupancy beginning this fall. Crescent also sold its Class A office building in Charlotte’s historic Elizabeth neighborhood, Elizabeth on Seventh, to Invesco, in early 2026.
Nationwide, Crescent Communities continues to experience significant growth with $7.2 billion of residential and commercial investments and developments in various stages of construction, operations, and planning. That pipeline includes 15,300 multi- and single-family build-to-rent units; 58,000 square feet of complementary retail space; and 7.5 million square feet of office, industrial, and life-sciences facilities. With a focus on environmental sustainability and wellness, Crescent Communities is a leading recipient of LEED, NGBS (National Green Building Standard), Fitwel, and WELL certifications.
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About Crescent Communities:
Crescent Communities is a nationally recognized, market-leading real estate investor, developer, and operator of mixed-use “communities.” We specialize in place-making and create high-quality, differentiated multifamily and commercial developments in many of the fastest growing markets in the United States. Since 1963, our development portfolio has included more than 104 multifamily communities, 26 million square feet of commercial space and over 60 master planned communities. Crescent Communities has offices in Charlotte, DC, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Denver, and Phoenix. Our multifamily communities are branded NOVEL and HARMON (build-to-rent) and our commercial developments are branded AXIAL (industrial) and THE YIELD (life science).
