Tracing History from 1912 to 2019

The E.C. Griffith Co. is one of Charlotte’s oldest family-owned real estate businesses serving and developing Charlotte one lot at a time . . . for the last 108 years! Started in 1912 by its namesake, E.C. Griffith Sr., they have faced pandemics (1917), The Great Depression and several recessions.

The E.C. Griffith Company made its name in the 1920’s by developing farmland outside the Charlotte city limits. Many of these farms blossomed into present day neighborhoods you might know…Eastover, Rosemont (Elizabeth), Historic Wesley Heights, Camp Green, and a good portion of Myers Park. It is not widely known that George Stephens, successful Charlotte banker & developer of Myers Park, mentored E.C. Griffith Sr. to such a level of comfort that he turned over the Myers Park development duties in 1920 to “E.C.”, affectionately known as “Griff” by friends and community leaders. One storybook deal was the trade in 1950 of a single large residential lot at the corner of Eastover Road and Colville Road in exchange for a 90 acre farm out in the “boondocks.” That rural tract was right in the path of Charlotte’s future growth near Quail Hollow Country Club (est. 1959). In 1936, “E.C., Sr.” donated the acreage for The Mint Museum’s relocation and Eastover Park. He was also directly involved with Charlotte’s public health formation (1943) leading to construction of Memorial Hospital, now Atrium Health (Main Campus).

E.C. Griffith’s sons, E.C. Jr. and Jim Sr., came on board in the 1950’s, and expanded the company’s portfolio to include medical offices, apartments, industrial, retail and ground leases of all types. One such ground lease is the iconic Open Kitchen restaurant on West Morehead. In the 1990’s, the 3rd generation brothers Jim Griffith Jr. and Preston “Fred” Griffith transitioned into the leadership roles of president and vice president respectively. Together, with the Family Board of Directors, they continued to grow the company’s footprint in the Randolph Road corridor; constructing build-to-suits for Presbyterian Hospital (Novant) and Carolina Healthcare System (Atrium), and breaking ground on Eastover Ridge apartment community adjacent to Eastover Park. The company received Family Business of the Year Awards in 1997 and 2010 from Duke Family Business Forum & Wake Forest University’s FBC (initiated by Business North Carolina Magazine.) 

2020 and Beyond

Even after surpassing the 108 year mark in business, the Griffith family continues with their latest endeavor, a luxury apartment complex. Today, it can be seen rising in Charlotte’s West Morehead corridor across from Bryant Park. The E.C. Griffith Company has owned this elevated 17-acre site since 1917, which housed the famous Swain’s Steakhouse during the 1960’s. E.C. Griffith Company, Griffith Equities, and Griffith Real Estate Services are excited to offer a 271-unit luxury apartment known as “The GRIFF”! With extraordinary Uptown skyline views, “The GRIFF” will be in walking distance to restaurants, breweries, and Bank of America Stadium. Delivery is expected in fall of 2020. More details Coming Soon . . . so stay tuned and Stay Well!

1944 Brunswick Avenue  |  Charlotte, NC 28207

704-332-7173  |  ecgriffith.com