Commercial NinetyFive at CBRE thExchange Industrial Park

Project Overview

In a busy business park south of downtown Charlotte, CBRE, a leader in commercial real estate, manages theExchange, a workplace community built around the idea of a better way to work, play, and gather. The campus’ café, modern fitness center, and shared meeting rooms create natural gathering areas, however the open outdoor patio struggled against the North Carolina sun. Tenants rarely stayed outside long enough to enjoy it.

The Challenge

For CBRE, creating usable outdoor spaces mattered. As a leader in commercial real estate, they aim to design environments that feel welcoming, functional, and easy for tenants to use throughout the day. The patio had the potential to become a natural extension of the workplace. It simply needed the right environment.

Objectives

• Increase outdoor usability throughout the workday
• Improve comfort for tenants using the patio for meetings or breaks
• Preserve the visual identity of the property 
• Complete installation quickly, with minimal disturbance to campus activity

The ask was clear: provide a comfortable outdoor space where tenants could connect, take a break, hold casual meetings, or enjoy lunch with colleagues.

Why GALE Commercial

CBRE enlisted GALE Commercial for a complete shade solution backed by proven performance. The team needed a partner who could recommend the right construction, installation requirements, and deliver a system built for long-term reliability.

The Solution

GALE Commercial installed shade sails made from their Commercial NinetyFive fabric paired with FLX Shade flexible support poles to create a lightweight system installed directly on the existing surface. No new footings or concrete were needed, which kept the space fully operational throughout the project.

Key advantages:

• Commercial NinetyFive fabric shade sails engineered to absorb wind loads and maintain structural integrity
• Flexible poles that respond to shifting conditions and support long term safety
• Shade coverage that significantly reduces heat exposure on the patio
• A clean design that fits the current architecture and landscape, delivering dependable shade for a busy workplace setting

Partnership and Collaboration

Throughout the project, CBRE noted the GALE Commercial team’s technical knowledge and efficiency. Erica Lillie, the Tenant Service Coordinator at ThExchange, said, “Your team demonstrated a high level of professionalism and expertise.” She continued, “The project was completed on time and to a very high standard. The level of communication and transparency was excellent, keeping us informed throughout the process.”

Tangible Results and Impact on Tenant Experience

Once the shade sails were installed, the transformation was immediate. The patio began to come alive. People settled in for lunch, chose the outdoors for quick conversations, and found small moments outside to recharge. The space now reflected the open and communal environment CBRE had envisioned. Erica shared, “We are now able to comfortably have lunch meetings outdoors or take a break and enjoy the shaded area when needing a minute away from our desks.”

Tenant feedback confirmed the difference. The newly shaded patio now enables:

• Longer and more frequent use
• Stronger support for employee wellbeing
• A reliable space for gathering and connection
• An enhanced campus experience with a more functional outdoor amenity

​Conclusion

CBRE appreciated the smooth process. Clear communication, attention to detail, and on-time installation created a strong sense of partnership that matched the high service standards expected across their Charlotte properties.

The project also revealed unexpected benefits. “This experience has taught us the value of collaboration, to gain new insights, and build new relationships,” Erica said. For CBRE, the project became more than a shade installation. It became a reminder of how thoughtful solutions can strengthen community and inform future projects.