Cherry Gardens

Cherry Gardens Senior Independent Living Facility

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Affordable housing meets sustainability: a LEED Silver certified, community-driven residence for seniors.

North Carolina’s first LEED Silver Certified affordable senior living facility, delivered by the Maverick team from design through construction — combining sustainability with community-centered housing.

Project Overview

  • Size: 3 stories, 43,000 square feet

  • Timeline: Estimated completion April 2010 | Actual completion April 2010 (on schedule)

  • Budget: Estimated $4M | Actual $3.2M (20% under budget)

  • MWBE Participation: 35%

  • Client/Delivery: Connelly Builders, Inc. (Single Prime Bid)

Our Role
The Maverick team (then working under a prior company, with Anthony Hunt as Principal Architect and John Charles leading construction administration) delivered full architectural design, bid management, and construction administration.

  • Architectural Design: Sustainable, low-maintenance exterior materials (synthetic shingles, masonry, insulated glass, durable roofing).

  • Construction Administration: Oversight through permitting, bidding, and field management.

  • Owner Representation: Ensuring the project was delivered on time, below budget, and at the highest quality.

Impact & Outcomes

  • LEED Silver Certification: First multi-family affordable independent living facility in NC to achieve this milestone.

  • Amenities: Dining facility, community meeting and computer rooms, multipurpose room, laundry facility, individual storage.

  • Site Features: Adequate resident/visitor parking, gazebo, garden areas, walking access to hospitals, retail, schools, and greenways.

  • Affordability & Community Impact: Provided quality independent living for seniors, while preserving local community accessibility and equity.

  • Cost Savings: Delivered nearly $800,000 below the estimated construction budget through value engineering.

Lessons Learned / Insights


Cherry Gardens reinforced the value of aligning affordability with sustainability. The project showed that thoughtful design and disciplined project management can achieve high-quality housing outcomes below budget, while still delivering long-term legacy through LEED certification and community impact.