Pickleball Reshapes Real Estate: From 'Picklemalls' to Amenity Debates

The booming sport is transforming commercial and residential real estate in surprising ways.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Pickleball is not just a growing sport - it is also reshaping real estate in both commercial and residential sectors. In commercial real estate, empty big-box stores and vacant mall spaces are being converted into indoor pickleball facilities, dubbed 'picklemalls', that provide reliable foot traffic for surrounding businesses. Meanwhile, in residential communities, pickleball is sparking debates over court space, scheduling, and amenity budgets as neighborhoods work to accommodate the sport alongside traditional offerings like tennis.

Why it matters

The rise of pickleball is a significant trend that is impacting real estate in meaningful ways. For commercial real estate, pickleball provides a smart adaptive reuse solution for challenging spaces, while in residential areas it is forcing communities to thoughtfully manage amenities and court usage. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for real estate professionals, developers, and community leaders.

The details

In the commercial real estate sector, pickleball is emerging as a popular way to repurpose large, vacant retail spaces. These 'picklemalls' offer indoor pickleball facilities that draw consistent traffic for lessons, leagues, and open play - benefiting nearby restaurants, shops, and other businesses. Examples include Tipsy Pickle at Charlotte's Camp North End and Peachtree Pickleball near Fort Mill's Kingsley Town Center. On the residential side, pickleball is sparking debates within communities over court space, scheduling, and amenity budgets. The goal is to accommodate pickleball alongside existing offerings like tennis in a way that increases overall participation and enjoyment without creating frustration. The best HOAs frame this as a community upgrade conversation rather than a winners-and-losers scenario.

  • In September 2023, the National Association of REALTORS® highlighted the growing trend of converting empty big-box stores and vacant mall anchor spaces into indoor pickleball facilities.
  • Tipsy Pickle held its grand opening at Camp North End in Charlotte on February 22, 2025.
  • Peachtree Pickleball, a 42,000-square-foot indoor facility with 10 courts, opened in Fort Mill near Kingsley Town Center.

The players

Jody Christensen

A Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty Ballantyne Area, licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, who is known for blending community-building with smart real estate strategy.

National Association of REALTORS®

The leading trade association for real estate professionals in the United States.

Tipsy Pickle

An indoor pickleball facility that blends the sport with a broader hangout vibe including food, drinks, and games, located at Camp North End in Charlotte.

Peachtree Pickleball

A 42,000-square-foot indoor pickleball facility with 10 courts, located in a former Winn-Dixie shopping center across from Kingsley Town Center in Fort Mill.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Pickleball is not just a sport trend. It is a real estate signal.”

— Jody Christensen, Realtor® (mecktimes.com)

The takeaway

Pickleball's rise is reshaping real estate in both commercial and residential sectors, presenting new opportunities and challenges. For commercial real estate, 'picklemalls' offer a smart adaptive reuse solution for vacant spaces. In residential communities, pickleball is sparking thoughtful debates over court usage and amenity budgets, with the best HOAs framing it as a community upgrade conversation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for real estate professionals, developers, and community leaders.