Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.
Issue link: https://ballantynemagazine.epubxp.com/i/467929
This 1994 aerial shows the original layout for Ballantyne. The distinctive "B" lampposts were placed at main intersections. Lighting the Way 'B' Lampposts Help Establish Vibrancy of Rising Community By Christina Thigpen AT INTERSECTIONS AT THE CENTER OF BALLANTYNE, you may have noticed the Tiffany lampposts with the signature Ballantyne "B." They are testament to the Harris and Bissell families' plans for building an exceptional community. According to Terry Knotts, president of Knotts Development Resources and a member of the original development team, lighting was a key element to the vision for Ballantyne. "At that time, the Ballantyne area was considered a remote part of Mecklenburg County, and we were trying to establish the feel of a vibrant community with housing, shopping and offices. Ballantyne was to be different from other places so the lighting was chosen to reflect that." Ballantyne's master developers worked with nationall y renowned industrial designer Joe Sonderman to create the iconic Ballantyne "B." The lighting consultant based the design of the pedestrian lighting on this symbol, now recognizable to the greater Ballantyne area. "Johnny (Harris) led the team to focus on all of the details that would work together to form a special sense of place," Knotts notes. "From the beginning Ballantyne was to be a distinctive development not only in scale but in quality, from the road layouts to the landscaping to the lighting." The "B" lampposts were installed at the intersections of the original road layout of Ballantyne to be pedestrian lighting along the walkways, with the tall cobra-style lights providing lighting for the roads. The team wanted to bring lighting closer to the sidewalk level to enhance safety and comfort for walking and enjoying the neighborhood. "Johnny has always had excellent taste and an eye for decor that evokes a 'wow' factor," says Smoky Bissell, chairman of Bissell Cos. "We shared a vision to make Ballantyne a remarkable place, and I am forever grateful for his leadership in building such a strong infrastructure in terms of function and style." The next time you're exploring the area, you'll know the story of the lampposts, a feature that has contributed to Ballantyne's evolution as a special place. "Ballantyne was to be di ff erent from other places so the li g hting was c h osen to refect that." — Terry Knotts, Knotts Development Resources BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE 73 SPRING 2015