Southern Village, North Carolina facts for kids
Southern Village is a special neighborhood in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It covers about 312 acres (1.26 square kilometers). This community was started in 1994. It's a great example of "New Urbanism". This means it was planned so that homes, shops, and parks are all close together. People can easily walk or bike to many places.
Southern Village has many different types of homes. There are 550 single-family houses, 375 townhomes and condominiums, and 250 apartments. It also has over 350,000 square feet (32,516 square meters) of shops, offices, and community spaces. From 1999 to 2001, Southern Village was the most popular neighborhood for buying homes in the Triangle area of North Carolina. It has been featured in magazines like TIME and Better Homes & Gardens because of its smart design.
The idea for Southern Village came from a special way of planning cities called New Urbanism. A famous architect named Andres Duany helped create this idea. He and his partner, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, visited Chapel Hill. They talked about how New Urbanism could help the town grow. Their ideas really inspired D.R. Bryan. He even traveled to Pienza, Italy, to see old towns that used similar planning ideas. When he came back, Bryan became the main architect and builder of Southern Village.
Shops and Restaurants
Southern Village has a lively center with different places to visit. You can find a grocery store called Weaver Street Market there. There is also the Lumina Theater, where you can watch movies. A hotel called Hyatt Place also opened in Southern Village in 2017. These places make the village center a busy and useful spot for everyone.
Schools in the Area
Kids living in Southern Village have good schools nearby. Mary Scroggs Elementary School is right in the neighborhood. Culbreth Middle School is also within walking distance. Both of these schools are part of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system. For older students, Carrboro High School is less than two miles away. It is known as one of the best high schools in the state.
Fun and Games
There are many fun things to do in Southern Village. The Lumina Theatre shows movies all year. In warmer weather, you can watch family movies outdoors on the Village Green. Just bring your own chairs and blankets! There are also free concerts on the Green every Sunday evening.
The community has a walking and biking path called the Fan Branch Trail. People often call it the "greenway". This trail is part of a bigger plan for bike trails in Chapel Hill. The Southern Community Park is right next to the village. It has soccer fields, a dog park, a playground, and a place for cookouts. There's even a roller hockey rink! The Fan Branch Trail also extends through this park.
Culture and Events
The North Carolina Symphony visits Southern Village once a year. They give a free outdoor concert on the Village Green. They often play popular songs from movies like Mission Impossible and Star Wars. You might also hear classic tunes like "Turkey in the Straw." The central area of Southern Village often hosts festivals. During the summer, if the weather is nice, you can enjoy outdoor movies.
Getting Around
Southern Village is served by Chapel Hill Transit. This bus service connects the community's Park and Ride lot to downtown Chapel Hill. It also goes to the nearby University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Buses run Monday through Friday during regular service hours. There is also a special "Safe Ride" service late at night on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
