Raleigh’s Concerns Over Proposed 30-Story Tower

A proposed 30-story tower at the edge of Downtown sparks debate and concern.

*Editor’s note 4/24: At the neighborhood meeting held April 23, Raleigh Development Company shared they would limit a portion of the property’s height to 20 stories, while the remainder would be capped at 30. They also offered to donate $1.2 million to Raleigh’s affordable housing funds.

TELL CITY COUNCIL NO 30-STORY TOWERS 240-FT FROM HOMES.”

The bold, large-lettered black-and-red signs have become a standard fixture around Raleigh in the past few months—the result of a controversial development planned at the edge of Downtown near the historic Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood. 

Situated in the 2.6-acre expanse between Capital Boulevard and North West Street, the area is home to such small businesses as Endless Grind, Knuckle Up Boxing and Fitness Center, and Oak City Printing. Currently dubbed Devereux Meadows, the proposed Raleigh Development Company project adjacent to the future allotted Smoky Hollow Park calls for a rezoning to raise height limits from 12 to 30 stories, paving the way for multiple mixed-use high-rises. 

This isn’t the developer’s first pursuit—project plans initially submitted in 2022 were denied zoning approval by City Council in May 2023. Back on the table, the Z-54-22 rezoning has reignited fears around large developments and stirred fresh concerns on how a surge of tall towers could alter and threaten the fabric of Raleigh’s historic neighborhoods.

Raleigh Neighbors United, a grassroots advocacy group funding the signs and committed to protecting local neighborhoods while fostering responsible growth, contends the proposed height increase violates policies outlined in planning documents. These include the Capital Boulevard Corridor Study, which dictates three stories at the neighborhood edge and up to 12 stories in areas well-separated from neighborhoods; the Raleigh Downtown Plan, which illustrates seven to eight stories; and the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, limiting to 12 stories max. 

According to Raleigh Neighbors United’s Roy Attride, the fight isn’t about denying the area the attention or density it deserves. “What we’re fighting against is inappropriate height not supported by any policy, plan, history or precedent—and then jamming it next to our neighborhood,” he says. “The developers should be able to make plenty of money [at 12 stories]. It would be great density; it would offer housing. … I want all these to succeed, so I’d love to see them build those 12 stories there and move onto other places that need development and attention.” 

More importantly, Attride says putting a 30-story tower in that area would “put every neighborhood in Raleigh—but especially along Capital Boulevard—at risk” and remove protections for transitional areas throughout the city “because there’s no reason to stop 30 stories from being anywhere. It’s not just a one-neighborhood problem—but a Raleigh problem.” 

Despite those concerns, Raleigh Development Company VP Chris Carter maintains the company has been actively engaging with the community and city leaders as they finalize plans. “We believe the rezoning as proposed makes the most sense for this project, for our company and for the city of Raleigh,” he asserts. “The additional density allows for a greater supply of new housing to be provided.” Carter adds there are already two sites zoned for 40 stories along Peace Street across from this project, with RDC electing to scale their own rezoning request down. 

There’s also the question of what the project means for the nearby businesses. Jason Howard, owner of The Cardinal across the street, says it doesn’t matter if the building’s 12 or 30 stories—construction chaos, parking headaches and traffic reroutes will hit his bottom line. Still, he’s hopeful the payoff might be worth it, eventually.

“I personally am opposed to it because I didn’t want to be facing a high-rise at any point in time,” he maintains—“that’s why I picked that location. But, at the same time, I decided to be in Downtown. … I chose to be in a city, so I can’t really bitch about the growth of it. I don’t want it to be 30 stories though.”

Nearby bar Stella’s owner Lena Ali is also concerned. “As a small business owner, I fully support Raleigh’s pursuit of growth, opportunity and thoughtful expansion,” she offers. “However, large-scale developments are routinely followed by large-scale cost increases that have the potential to negatively impact those who have long called these areas home.” 

City leaders appear to be listening. Mayor Janet Cowell tells Raleigh Magazine that “it’s too early to say how Council will vote on [the rezoning],” but adds, “I believe the whole council wants meaningful conversations between neighbors and the developer.” As of press time, a required neighborhood meeting will be held April 23. Ultimately, growth is inevitable—but the kind of city Raleigh becomes will be shaped by the conversations we choose to have now.

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