Contact Us

  • We're Located at:

    1301 American Boulevard East
    Suite 100
    Bloomington, Minnesota 55425

  •  

  • Contact Us:

    📩  kwa@kaaswilson.com

  • 📞 612.879.6000

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Watts Leaf Architects Is Now A Kaas Wilson Company

 

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Who Is Watts Leaf?


Watts Leaf Architects, PA, is a boutique architecture studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded by founders Charley Watts and Chip Leaf, Watts Leaf has been serving the Carolinas for 26 years. Watts Leaf is known to be a group of down-to-earth, passionate professionals focused on building community through modern multi-family housing design.

 

Learn more about Watts Leaf and their acquisition by Kaas Wilson in our recent blog.

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26 Years of Experience

Watts Leaf Architects, PA has specialized in multi-family architecture since the early 1980’s.

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Versatile Experts

An experienced architectural firm that specializes in commercial, multi-family, single-family, and restaurant design.

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Nationwide Recognition

While the firm has concentrated their work in the Carolinas, they have completed over 140 multifamily projects across the country with both regional and national developers. They’ve been recognized for their outstanding design work as well as the community enhancement their buildings have provided.

A Brief History

Watts Leaf Architects: SERVING THE CAROLINAS SINCE 1997

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  • Joined the Kaas Wilson Team

    Over the past year, the Watts Leaf firm has joined forces with Kaas Wilson Architects, marking an important transition for both teams. After 26 years, Charley and Chip made the decision to collaborate with another firm as part of a successful exit strategy for their retirement, ensuring continued opportunities for their valued clients and the next generation at Watts Leaf. They sought a firm that shared their passion for building community through multi-family housing, and they found that in Kaas Wilson Architects. This partnership has led to the creation of a new North Carolina team, blending all the original Watts Leaf architects with three members from Kaas Wilson’s Minnesota office.

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    2024

  • Created Extensive Portfolio

    While the bulk of Watts Leaf’s work has been concentrated in the Carolinas, they have completed over 140 multifamily projects across the country with both regional and national developers. The team at Watts Leaf has been recognized for their outstanding design work as well as the community enhancement their buildings provide.

    2000-2022

  • Moved Into Current Facility

    Just two years after forming, Watts Leaf moved into their current facility at 101 N Macdowell, after outgrowing their previous office. A renovated church with matching adjacent office buildings, their facility, like the people who work there, provides a friendly environment to employees and clients alike.

    1999

  • Watts Leaf Founded

    AIA-licensed architects Charley Watts and Chip Leaf founded Watts Leaf in 1997. Starting in the Carolinas, they grew the business by expanding to Maryland, Georgia, and west Tennessee with both regional and national developers. 

    1997

Learn more about Watts Leaf and their acquisition by Kaas Wilson in our recent blog.

Recent Projects

View Our Projects

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Peruse some of the recent projects completed by the Watts Leaf team.

Highland Ridge Apartments

Highland Ridge Apartments-Wilmington, NC

Welcome to Highland Ridge Apartments in Wilmington, NC, luxury walk-up apartments near the Charlotte Metro.

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Pointe at Lake Crabtree–Morrisville, NC

Welcome to the Pointe at Lake Crabtree, a one building, four-story project with 200 units, ranging from one to three-bedroom layouts, designed with a fully enclosed double-loaded corridor apartment along with highly amenetized club components.

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Sterling Town Center-Raleigh, NC

Sterling Town Center Apartments is a 339 unit apartment project with five buildings in Raleigh, NC.

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Watts Leaf Architects

Meet Our Team

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The Watts Leaf team is a close-knit group of highly skilled architects who are passionate about the work they do. Get to know our team members below. Click here for career opportunities.

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LINK WILSON, AIA, CSI, LEED AP

Managing Partner, Charlotte Office

Charlie Watts
Charles M. Watts, AIA

Founder, Watts Leaf Architects

Shelly Blakesley
Shelly Blakesley, AIA

Senior Project Manager

Alex Perry
Alex Perry, AIA

Project Manager

Jay Rhodes
Jay Rhodes, AIA

Project Architect

Lou Chien
Lou Chien

Project Manager

Adam Schellberg
Adam Schellberg

Architectural Designer III

Bill Percival
Bill Percival, RA

Project Architect

Jonathan Bahr, RA, NCARB
Jonathan Bahr, RA, NCARB

Contract Administration Project Manager II

Riley Decker
Riley Decker

Architectural Intern

Derek McKean
Derek McKean

Architectural Designer I

Charlotte office contact info:

101 N. McDowell St., Ste 112
Charlotte, NC 28204

Main Office Number:  704-376-1200