Kurt Sowers is the President of SOCO Group, a Charlotte-based commercial construction firm focused on hospitality, retail, adaptive reuse, and interior upfit projects across the Southeast. Under his leadership, SOCO has built a reputation for delivering curated spaces that balance resilient design, construction execution, and budget-conscious decision making, particularly for local businesses and growing brands.

Kurt’s path into construction and development was far from traditional, with a background spanning entrepreneurship and sales. Those experiences helped shape his perspective on communication, relationships, and building businesses rooted in trust and adaptability. Today, much of his work centers around helping clients navigate the complexities of bringing hospitality and retail concepts to life in fast-growing markets like Charlotte.

We sat down to discuss his transition into the construction industry, the realities of balancing design ambition with project budgets, and why collaboration between architects, contractors, and ownership groups is more important than ever in small business-focused development. We also explored Charlotte’s continued growth, the evolving hospitality landscape, and what excites him most about the future of experiential retail and adaptive reuse projects throughout the region...

Branden Piks:

"One thing I’ve learned over time is that communication and accountability matter just as much as technical ability. Most clients understand that construction and design are fluid processes, especially in hospitality projects where timelines, permitting, and operational decisions are constantly shifting...

...Working with other small business owners reinforces that mindset even more because everyone understands the pressures involved. Delays and mistakes happen, but clients usually appreciate honesty and proactive communication more than perfection."

Kurt Sowers:

"That’s something I harp on constantly internally with our team and subcontractors.

The important thing is solving problems collaboratively instead of immediately blaming another trade or consultant.

A lot of construction teams work together repeatedly across multiple projects, so effective communication and accountability become critical to maintaining good working relationships long term.

I also think that applies to leadership. If something falls under my scope or my team, I’m going to own it publicly and handle the internal conversations privately afterward. The same should apply across every discipline involved in a project.

Most project tension can be mitigated through communication, regular updates, and setting realistic expectations early."

​Read the Full Conversation Here​

Charlotte Retail Jumps the Line as Rents Outrun U.S. Average

"Charlotte’s retail landlords just crossed a line they had never reached before: asking rents across the metro have climbed above the national average, according to market reporting CoStar published today..."

​Read Full Article​

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How does this impact our region?

Charlotte’s retail market feels like it’s entering a different phase of maturity shaped by consumer trends. For years, growth was measured by how much development the city could absorb. Now, the conversation is shifting toward which districts are outperforming and why.

Recent reporting shows Charlotte retail rents continuing to outpace the national average, reinforcing the long-term confidence investors and developers still have in the market.

What stood out to me most was where growth is concentrating and not just the rent growth. The Charlotte Business Journal recently highlighted SouthPark, Ballantyne, Birkdale, and Cotswold as some of the region’s strongest-performing retail corridors with little to no vacancy remaining.

These areas are succeeding because they’ve evolved beyond traditional shopping centers. The strongest retail environments today are being supported by:

• density and mixed-use development
• hospitality and dining
• walkability and public realm investment
• and the overall experience of the district itself

You can see this same trend continue in South End, where retail and restaurant growth closely follows walkable, mixed-use development patterns.

From an architecture and development perspective, I think this changes the role retail plays within the city. Retail is increasingly becoming an amenity to urban living rather than a standalone asset class. The success of a corridor now depends heavily on how well it integrates into the broader neighborhood ecosystem.

We’re seeing that firsthand with our latest project for HYLO Fitness and their first Charlotte location, recently featured in the Charlotte Business Journal. The adaptive reuse of the former Catawba Brewing space into a boutique fitness concept feels representative of where Charlotte’s retail market is heading - toward more curated, experience-driven environments that prioritize identity and placemaking over traditional retail models.

As Charlotte continues to adapt, the expectation for thoughtful urbanism, strong public realm design, and hospitality-driven development will only continue to rise, createing a meaningful opportunity for architects and designers to help shape entire districts.

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Summary Thoughts: The Impact on CLT Architecture...

• Retail success is becoming increasingly tied to district identity. The strongest-performing corridors in Charlotte are functioning more like complete neighborhoods than isolated shopping centers.
• Walkability and mixed-use development are driving long-term value. Density, connectivity, and public realm investment are becoming measurable economic advantages.
• Retail is evolving into an amenity for urban living. Housing, hospitality, office, and retail are increasingly dependent on one another to create successful environments.
• Experience-driven concepts are reshaping tenant demand. Boutique fitness, hospitality, and curated retail environments continue to outperform more traditional models.
• Architecture plays a larger role in how districts compete. Design quality, placemaking, and adaptability are becoming critical components of long-term retail performance.

space+craft | Early BKK | Bangkok, Thailand

​Zero waste cafe built with recycled bottles and milk cartons.​

This month we’re highlighting our latest adaptive reuse project in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood is the repositioning and exterior transformation of an existing multi-tenant commercial property located at 301 N Caswell Road.

The project focuses on converting a series of existing and vacant suite spaces into viable, move-in-ready shell environments for future retail and commercial tenants. While projects like this may appear straightforward from the outside, much of the real work begins with understanding the existing building itself. Tasks include assessing structure, utilities, accessibility, and life safety systems to determine how an aging property can be repositioned into a modern, code-compliant asset.

Working closely alongside our structural and MEP engineering team, a major part of the process has been evaluating how the existing shell can support future tenant flexibility while minimizing unnecessary demolition and infrastructure replacement. These early investigative phases are often the most critical in adaptive reuse work, helping establish what is feasible both technically and financially before construction begins.

From a design standpoint, the exterior improvements are equally important to the project’s success. The existing building occupies a highly visible corner along N Caswell Road, just steps from some of Charlotte’s most active neighborhoods and commercial corridors. Our approach has focused on enhancing street presence and curb appeal through updated storefront systems, refined material transitions, improved façade composition, and stronger pedestrian visibility, creating a more cohesive and inviting identity for future tenants and visitors alike.

Projects like this continue to reinforce the long-term value of adaptive reuse within Charlotte’s urban fabric. Rather than starting from scratch, we’re able to extend the life of an existing structure while repositioning it to better serve the evolving needs of the neighborhood and retail market around it.

"Take care of the minutes; the hours will take care of themselves.” - Philip Dormer Stanhope