Pearl Innovation District

The Pearl Innovation District is a transformative mixed-use development in uptown Charlotte designed to bring together world-class medical education, research, and innovation in a collaborative environment. Created through a public-private partnership between Wexford Science + Technology, Atrium Health, and Wake Forest University, the district serves as a catalyst for economic growth and groundbreaking healthcare advancements. In addition to leading-edge academic and research facilities, the development includes retail space, residential offerings, affordable housing, and community gathering spaces that support a vibrant urban district.

CMTA provided MEP and building envelope commissioning services for two cornerstone facilities within the district: the Levine Center for Education and the Medical Research Building. Working from the design phase through systems testing and ongoing monitoring-based commissioning, CMTA helped ensure building systems performed as intended while supporting the project's ambitious sustainability and wellness goals.

The Levine Center for Education, a 10-story, 313,000 SF facility that opened in summer 2025, is Charlotte's first four-year medical school and home to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte. The building features specialized learning environments, including a plastinated anatomy lab, virtual anatomy lab, and medical simulation spaces with standardized patient examination areas.

The district's second major facility, the 14-story, 362,322 SF Medical Research Building, opened in fall 2025. Designed to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation, the building houses lab-enabled research space, shared laboratory and technician suites for emerging startups, surgical ballrooms, surgical artificial intelligence and simulation training areas, and a robotics suite.

Both buildings were designed to meet LEED Zero Carbon standards, target LEED Gold certification, and align with WELL Building Standard principles. In support of these objectives, CMTA commissioned MEP, renewable energy, and building envelope systems in accordance with LEED v4 BD+C requirements. Our scope included HVAC&R equipment and controls, domestic hot water systems, pumps and controls, electrical service and distribution systems, lighting and daylighting controls, renewable energy systems, and comprehensive building envelope commissioning.

CMTA is proud to have commissioned these high-performance facilities, helping ensure optimal long-term operation while supporting the Pearl Innovation District's vision for innovation, discovery, and lasting community impact.