ABOUT US

Robert “Bob” H. Pressley begins investing in income-producing properties.

1975: MECA Properties, Inc. is founded by Robert H. Pressley as a holding company for his growing real estate portfolio. The company is named after Bob’s four children: Michael, Elizabeth, Cheryl, and Anthony.

• 1980: Bob’s son, Anthony “Tony” T. Pressley takes the lead of the family’s real estate portfolio after the passing of Robert H. Pressley. Tony establishes a services business for the management of the family’s property and those of others.
• 1982: MECA expands its services to include brokerage and development. The firm relocates to Charlotte’s Dilworth Neighborhood, where it plays a significant role in the neighborhood’s redevelopment.
• 1984: Tony’s brother, Robert M. Pressley, joins the firm and assumes responsibility for residential services.
• 1988: Under Tony Pressley and Bob Clay, MECA Properties, along with the Crosland Group, develops Olmsted Park, a residential infill project in Charlotte.

• 1992: MECA Properties begins the redevelopment of the 13-acre Atherton Mill property, catalyzing the future growth of Charlotte’s South End neighborhood.
• 1993: Tony’s son, Robert “Rob” A. Pressley, joins the company’s commercial division.
• 1994: The South End Development Corporation is formed, and the name “South End” is coined.
• 1995: Southend Brewery and Smokehouse becomes the second anchor in Atherton Mill and the first restaurant/brewery in the Carolinas.
• 1996: Charlotte is awarded a Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund Pilot Grant, with Tony Pressley’s efforts contributing to this visionary program.
• 1997: Tony’s son, Andrew “Andy” W. Pressley, joins the company’s commercial management division.
• 1998: MECA’s Camden Square Associates, LLC receives the first Brownfields grant, allowing for the development of the Design Center of the Carolinas.

• 2003: MECA Real Estate Services spins off its commercial brokerage and management business and affiliates with Coldwell Banker Commercial, becoming Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA.
• 2005: Rob Pressley co-founds a land development company known as Firmitas, with notable projects including Belmont’s Eagle Park, Cramerton’s Lakewood, and Charlotte’s Morningside.
• 2006-2008: Tony and his siblings begin selling their real estate portfolio as retirement nears. MECA’s next generation of leadership begins developing communities such as Eagle Park, Adam’s Bluff, and Hawthorne in Belmont.
• 2009: Rob and Andy relocate the MECA companies to Wilkinson Boulevard in the Dyestuff Building.

• 2010: Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA’s REO Group is formed, managing and selling more than $2 billion of assets nationwide over the next decade.
• 2013: Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA partners with Clay Realty Advisors to open an office in Gaston County, NC.
• 2016: Rob and Andy Pressley decide to split the firm, with Rob taking the commercial and development operations (CBC MECA) and Andy taking the residential and construction business (MECA Realty).
• 2017-2019: Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA continues growth in Gaston County, developing South Fork Station in Belmont and working on projects such as Loray Mill in Gastonia and Aberfoyle in Belmont.

• 2020-2022: Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA completes several high-profile projects in Gaston County, including 100 N. Main, 42 E. Catawba in Belmont, and the Dynamo 31 office building in McAdenville.
• January 2023: Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA transitions back to independent status and rebrands as MECA Commercial Real Estate. Eric Clay becomes President of the Gaston Business Association.
• March 2023: MECA Commercial restores the Historic Dowd House in West Charlotte, establishing it as the corporate office. The Gaston office relocates to McAdenville, NC.
• January 2024: Sam Kline, CCIM, becomes a partner of the Gaston Office.
• Fall 2024: MECA Commercial begins preparations for its 50th anniversary.