Charley Watts

Charley Watts (Arch ’79 CM) recently retired after selling his firm, Watts Leaf Architects, a Charlotte-based regional architecture practice specializing in multifamily housing. The firm was acquired by Kaas Wilson Architects of Minneapolis, which shares a similar client base and sought to expand into the Southeast. After two years of transitioning clients and staff, Charley is now enjoying retirement, focusing on personal projects and spending quality time with his wife of 46 years, Karen, along with their children and grandson.

With Watts Leaf Architects, he designed countless dwelling units across the East Coast from Maryland to Georgia. His contributions to the profession earned him multiple lifetime achievement awards from both the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association and the Mecklenburg County Building Department.