Me and my daughter always make it our business to visit this place every time we come uptown. There are so many places to sit and either eat or hang out. But if you want to do anything like a formal or either informal gathering, you will need permission. But you can sit and eat lunch, regardless of whether you brought it in or bought it from one of the resteraunts inside Founders Hall. The atmosphere and decor of this place is amazing. Come earlier and on the weekdays to catch more stores and resteraunts. Most things are only open those hours. I hope they will bring the singing Christmas Bears back. read more

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Stunning doesn't even come close to describe this place. We were there for a wedding, the decor, the attention to detail, the different stations of food and the servers, all over keeping tables clean and paying attention to drinks, water you name it they were on it. Thank you Evelyn and Nathan for inviting us to your special day. read more

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I'm not sure why this is marked as a mall/shopping center. Maybe it was before the pandemic? We came in January 2023 and there were no stores inside the hall to shop at, besides the Bank of America store. It's a nice building that's very well taken care of. If the weather is crappy, it's a great spot to run inside and dry off. There's plenty of picnic tables if you're looking for a place to bring food to eat. Seems like this area could use a rebranding or more investment into the space to bring shopping back to the area. read more

Founders Hall - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I feel like this space has so much potential, but it falls flat. It feels like the atrium of a stuffy corporate building which is exactly what it is. I'd love to see it transformed into something that attracts people that aren't already in the area. There are a few businesses in there but they're usually closed on the weekends. I think the pandemic has hurt most of them too. The atrium is completely open in the middle and it just feels like a waste of space. I was really happy that they brought the Gaia Exhibit here and I'd like to see them do stuff like that more often to bring this spot to life. read more

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Popped into Founder's Hall to view the "Gaia" art exhibit. It was nearly 8pm so I was worried about getting into the building even though it's open until 11PM. I was able to get in just fine from Tryon St and one of the nice security officers told me an area I was walking to was still open. So that was super helpful! The art exhibit of a colossal glowing and floating earth was amazing! I hope these type of art exhibits continue to pop up around the city. This one is here until October 1st and it is a sight to see!!!!! Founders Hall is such a great location for things like this. Love it. read more

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A nice plaza for many of the corporate suits and ties within the BoA buildings, Founder's Hall is a well kept indoor open space that features clean seating and an eclectic selection of shops and breakfast/lunch options. It's a modern, cool spot to relax for a minute, whether you're an employee at one of the local businesses or just looking for somewhere to eat your food truck fare other than at a street bench. Around the perimeter are several consumer and professional banking services, along with a couple of boutique clothing stores. Going across the Skyway to the Bank of America Plaza you can find plenty of different lunch options ranging from Chick-fil-A to Chicken Salad Chick. They have a lot of staff keeping the place squeaky clean and it's clear that the property managers are very proud of the spot. Four large, very tall trees adorn the corners of the fountain near the front of the hall, these are always kept trimmed and looking their best. Around lunchtime during the week, this place can get quite busy in the main 1st floor hall. If you take the escalator up to the open 2nd floor walkway you'll find more seating outlining the perimeter and overlooking the floor below. Even more seating can be found by taking the Skyway at the back of the hall on the 2nd floor, crossing over College Street. In the skyway there are several high top tables that are usually free. Whether Bank of America welcomes people who don't do business inside the building is unknown. Most people you see here are going to be wearing the usual office-casual button down with khaki slacks. I would say that as long as you look presentable and are not causing trouble you should be fine. I have witnessed them escorting what appeared to be a homeless man out before. Fun fact: from here you can take the skyways through the Overstreet Mall, into the Two Wells Fargo building, across 3rd street and all the way to the Greene Park adjacent to Stonewall. How cool is that? Easiest entrance is right at Trade & Tryon, doors to the left of the consumer bank behind the wall fountain and all the outdoor silver tables and chairs. If you're looking for a quick retreat from the heat or a nice place to eat lunch from the Overstreet Mall or other nearby buildings, check out the hall! read more

Founders Hall - Skyway connecting the Tryon St and College St buildings. Nice high-top tables to have lunch or a quick breather. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Beautiful atrium. I don't really understand the name but it's still beautiful The stores have gotten fewer I miss the old burrito restaurant Nice tables on the first floor. Nice place to people watch and meeting someone Rooster's entrance it there And so is the theater entrance Down the hall to the covered parking deck It's all inside and climate controlled. Nice on a rainy or cold day read more

I've been here on multiple occasions when I had a client in Uptown. Each visit in the past was to shop at this cute little trinket shop on the 2nd floor for some very unique gifts for friends birthdays or for girlfriend ladies night out gifts. My most recent visit was this week while coming to support an associates bakery in the BOA building which you can access via an enclosed (Tokyo jetway looking bridge in the words of our 4year old toddler as we crossed, he is well traveled and my husband and I both looked at each other and said "Your right"). I now know that the best time to visit is during the Christmas Holiday as we enjoyed the Leonard Bernstein Orchestra which is situated in the middle of the main level and plenty of black long backed benches to sit and enjoy the show which goes for about 30-40 minutes and happens every hour. It was very nice and the music was great. Our boys really enjoyed and was fascinated with the singing bears that were dressed to the nines. read more

Founders Hall - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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A handful of restaurants? Check. A smattering of retail? Check. ATMs up the wazoo? Check. Theaters to catch some sweet shows? Check. Some tables to people watch, and hang for a bit? Check. Potential for a huge event space? Check. Yes, folks, this IS Founders Hall. More than an atrium in the Bank of America building, this expansive space also serves as the vessel for the above and a bangin' event space. I attended Art With Heart, which was hosted here, and it was quite lovely. Tons of shiny floors, open, expansive spaces and plenty of room to move around. Plus, there are multiple access points to enter Founders Hall (Hearst Tower, College St., Tryon St.). You'll find retail from the major chains (Jos. A Bank) to the local options (Julie's, Ivy & Leo) as well as plenty of tasty options to grab a bite. If you're walking around Uptown, definitely take a gander through Founders Hall - if nothing more than to grab a seat and watch the bankers make their bank! read more

Founders Hall - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Great space in uptown Charlotte..lots of shops M-F, pretty much nothing open on weekends...Great place to bring a meal and chill pre concert at the Blumenthal or Booth Theater...Plenty of seating..Cool Xmas display/show for the kiddies.. read more

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A nice little spot for people watching and enjoying lunch. Grab a coffee at Caribou, a juice at Jamba or a book at BookMark and enjoy the show. There could be some more tables for such a huge space, and the sound of people dragging their chairs across the floor is SO LOUD. It's weird and distracting, but other than that, it's a good spot to get away from your desk and just hang out. Protip: When you get up to leave, do a circle through the BOA building. Rumor has it that they pump fresh air from outside into the lobby. I mean, you could go outside, but if you don't have time, it's a substitute. read more

Founders Hall - View from upstairs - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Founders Hall is usually a pass-through area for me since I visit Caribou Coffee quite often. There used to be a lot of other shops in Founders Hall, but a great space... the vaulted glass ceiling definitely makes it a nice, bright space and a great place to take a break from the workday. The decorations during the holidays are great and there's an automated choir of bears that kids usually enjoy. I've also been here for a wedding reception. They place fabric over the store-fronts and makes for a nice and unique reception right in the middle of uptown Charlotte. Founders Hall could be considered as one of the "ends" of the Overstreet Mall, but it's still connected to the Omni and Hearst Towers via skybridges. Super easy to get to on foot... I'm not sure a lot of people that don't work uptown know that there is a nice space in the tallest building of the Charlotte skyline. read more

The bears! Oh, the bears. Steer clear of this place at Christmas time because the display is just horrifying. Noisy, animatronic, Christmas cheer. And the shopping is awful. Admit it. This is the center of the city - it deserves better than a BofA merchandise store and a trimmed down Brooks Brothers. This should be a full-blown shopping mall with everything Uptowns denizens need to survive, but instead we can buy pressed shirts and Bank of America umbrellas. The nearest real store is still in Southpark. Charlotte really missed an opportunity here. This could have completed the downtown and made it livable, but they blew it. read more

I don't know that Founder's Hall is really a building, as Lindsey R writes. It's more of an atrium behind/inside of a building. Having explained that, it's a nice place to head to get some food or some shopping done, presumably either during your lunch break or after work, since it's right in the middle of downtown (and most Charlotte peeps don't really spend too much time in the downtown area unless it's late at night on the weekend). Founder's Hall is a big, open area surrounded by fast-foody type places and shops like a little bookstore and a Bank of America store (weird). It's really bright and usually not that packed, though, so it's definitely a nice place to eat your lunch or grab a quick one if you're in a rush. Obviously, it's super accessible, so why not? There's a little raised platform in there, too--try sneaking a meal in there. It's a great little area. read more

Great space, terrible service from the only provider you can use for an event. Sonoma Restaurant Group is inconsiderate and inept. They also pulled a bait and switch with the food. What they presented to us at our tasting was completely different than what was served at the wedding. Mariah is one of the most dim witted people alive, wholly incapable of her job, and cannot keep here story straight to save her life. This is a "restaurant group" that couldn't manage to complete dinner service for 125 people in over two hours. I had friends ready for dessert and my family still waiting for their dinner. Sonoma/Aria were overwhelmed, underprepared and understaffed to handle the most basic of tasks. The one shining star of the whole evening was the bar service. Bartenders were on point and had good pours. Thank goodness for that! read more

Perfect spot to kills some time either right after work or during your lunch hour if you work uptown. Clothing shops, florist, coffee and lunch spots abound. Even cooler during the holidays as right now they have a make shift orchestra set up (it's a group of bears) that will surely entertain kids and grown up kids alike. I like to come here during lunch and do a little people watching and just stroll around for some general exercise. read more

I work uptown and I disappointed to find out Rachel is no longer employed there. She was always so helpful and pleasure to talk to when I came in the store. Her Spanish speaking skills were impressive because I speak Spainsh. She helped me pic out my favorite earrings. I wont continue to shop at Ivy & Leo. read more

Have been to Founders Hall many times, most recently last night for The Art With Heart charity auction. It's a beautiful space in the bottom of the BOA building. Hanging lights were draped from the 3-4 story ceiling. Easy access to restaurants Aria & Sonoma from the Hall, as well as easy access to the Booth Playhouse and Blumenthal through the Hearst Tower overpass. Shops & Boutiques like Jos A Bank & Ivy & Leo surround the Hall. All in all a great space! read more