Developments Transforming Raleigh’s Cityscape

Raleigh’s next skyline, under construction: the projects making it happen

By the Editors

Building buzz, literally, Raleigh is a city in motion. From historic makeovers to modern high-rises, city projects are moving from blueprint to buildout—leveling up her “it” factor with new projects, hotels and cultural hubs redefining every pocket of the city from the Central Business District to Midtown to the upcoming Blue Ridge Corridor. Tracking the towers, streetscapes and spaces in progress that promise to transform the cityscape and shape up the skyline, we’ve mapped out what’s rising, where it’s happening, and the bold features guaranteed to leave their mark on the city.

Omni Raleigh Hotel

First announced in 2023, Omni has since upped the ante with an added 50 rooms—bringing the total key count to 600—plus more space for a larger ballroom. But perhaps its hottest draw for overnight guests will be a rooftop poolside restaurant serving sunrise scrambles to sunset cocktails, answering the call for both quick business breakfasts and all-day bites and bevs.

Beyond the pool—and taking full advantage of the blank canvas—the hip hotelier is betting big on boosting Fayetteville Street with a lineup of eats and drinks designed to also draw locals. Think a sleek lobby bar; a grab-and-go market and coffee shop; and the first Bob’s Steak & Chop House in the state, plating prime cuts and Americana.

Sports fans won’t be left out of the game either—the luxe hotel is adding a swanky sports bar, complete with massive TVs and a golf simulator. “It’s going to be the best place in Raleigh to watch the game,” maintains Omni Hotels VP of Acquisitions and Development Brian Zelman. With its mix of luxe lodging, dining and entertainment, Omni is no doubt set to become DTR’s next “it” hang. “Raleigh is an incredible city with an incredible culture,” emphasizes Zelman. “We love the emphasis on food and beverage, and that’s always been a point of emphasis for Omni to really distinguish ourselves from other competitors. We like the opportunity to create the first real luxury hotel Downtown and are excited to do that.”

Lichtin Plaza at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

The timing is in step with neighboring transformations— the Raleigh Convention Center expansion and Omni Raleigh Hotel’s groundbreaking, both of which Martin Marietta is working with— positioning the plaza as a cornerstone of the evolving DTR arts, culture and tourism hub, says GM Michelle Bradley.

Beyond repairing worn pavement, Bradley shares the redesign will boast a dedicated drop-off lane landing patrons closer to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium’s lobby, new wheelchair ramps for added accessibility and a reimagined entry that trades the fountain-turned garden for flex open space suited to outdoor programming. “The building needed something that invites people in and says, ‘It’s the old, iconic building, but it has a new front porch,’” emphasizes Bradley.

Backed by city funding and the center’s savings, the plaza project broke ground in late September and is pacing for a remarkably speedy turnaround, with construction slated to wrap within six months for a March 2026 unveiling. “The whole process has been very quick,” muses Bradley. “I thought this is going to be something that we’re gonna do in seven years because we didn’t have all the funds. … Two and-a-half years later, it’s actually going to be done.”

And—in a win for culture vultures and Raleigh’s Christmas season—the show(s) will go on with scheduled programming playing out during construction, including holiday staples like The Nutcracker and the NC Symphony’s Candlelight Christmas. While this year’s plaza Christmas tree will relocate for the season, it’s expected back for 2026. And, so, a Raleigh cultural icon is stepping into its next act.

500 Hillsborough

The buzzy destination from DC-based Dalian Development clears a stretch of shuttered businesses where West, Hillsborough and Edenton streets merge at 501–513 Hillsborough—think: Flex Nightclub, Montgomery Violins and a longtime handyman shop, plus the former Wilson’s Outdoor Equipment at 502 W. Morgan—to breathe fresh life into a major connector between these districts and Glenwood South.

Scaling with 221 upscale residences stacked above 10K square feet of street-level primo retailers and restaurateurs, the blueprint builds on the momentum of 400H, plus the upcoming Hotel Indigo and HM Partners’ F&B-focused development Garden West, to cement the corridor as Raleigh’s next buzzy build in action. With elevated amenities and on-site entertainment, 500 Hillsborough sets the stage for modern living at its boldest.

Garden West

Located at the corner of Edenton and West streets in the long-defunct CrossFit building, the pedestrian-oriented project will also convert ~20 spaces at the adjacent Powerhouse Square parking deck into an outdoor patio. ⁠

With the core and shell reno now complete, the next hot foodie destination is officially in leasing mode, says Gregg Sandreuter, managing partner of HM Partners, the buzzy developer helming the project. No stranger to what it takes to enliven this slice of Downtown, HM is also the mastermind behind thriving 400H and such grabs as Brass Tap and Press Coffee, Crepes & Cocktails—among others.

While no tenants are yet signed, Sandreuter suspects deals to close early next year—setting the stage for Garden West to become the next must-visit destination for food, drink and Downtown energy.

One Nash Square

Raleigh’s population boom is sparking new opportunities—and Alchemy Properties South is answering with One Nash Square. Set to break ground in 2026, the project will deliver 82 sleek one- to four-bedroom condos and 5.5K square feet of ground-floor retail in the heart of DTR, across from Nash Square in the Warehouse District, leading the next phase of the city’s residential growth.

“Downtown Raleigh is thriving,” says Alchemy President Ken Horn. “Strong job growth, a vibrant cultural scene and a steady influx of new residents make it an ideal market for expansion. The area offers the right mix of energy and character for long-term homeowners.”

Putting the luxe in luxury, One Nash merges high-quality design with mod amenities to deliver a level of comfort and class on a scale not currently available in Raleigh, adds Horn. Think single-family home vibes with highrise views, expansive terraces and spacious floorplans—amenitized with the likes of a resort-style pool and sun deck, state-of-the-art fitness center, resident lounge with co-working space, and a pet spa.

Alchemy is also in talks to bring in a mix of local concepts and complementary retailers in the streetlevel spaces, adding to the vibrant Warehouse District’s energy and serving both residents and the broader DTR community. Unlike typical apartments, these condos allow residents to put down roots and be a core part of Raleigh’s growth story. “There’s a clear, unmet demand for high-quality condo living in Raleigh,” maintains Horn. “This project is positioned to meet [that need] while contributing to the critical mass being established Downtown.”

The Creamery

Topping out at 37 stories—a full four taller than current king PNC Plaza—Highline Glenwood will serve up sweeping 360-degree views of DTR and beyond, and a modern-meetshistoric centerpiece sure to redefine the city’s landscape.

When it comes to securing the property, Turnbridge leaned into its MO of breathing new life into existing spaces. “We really believe in utilizing the existing urban fabric in our placemaking,” says Managing Director Jason Davis, “and the Creamery is such a Raleigh landmark that it never crossed our mind to demolish it.”

As such, the historic Creamery building and former Pine State ice cream factory—along with current tenants Sullivan’s, Milk Bar, The Underground and BuildOps—will remain fully intact and operational throughout construction.

Further serving both residents and those who live, work and play in DTR across its 7,500 square feet of ground-floor retail, the NYC-based real estate investment and development firm is actively courting a diverse tenant mix of local favorites and f irst-to-market concepts.

“Food and beverage, service-based businesses, and soft goods always play well together,” adds Davis. “We have developed strong relationships with many tenants at our mixed-use projects in Austin and Nashville that have had great success and trust our placemaking. Many of these have expressed interest in expanding into North Carolina.”

Phase II plans will add a 20-story office tower at 404 Glenwood, situated between the historic Creamery building and the railroad tracks, replacing the surface parking lot off Tucker Street. The project will also feature retail along a pedestrian street connecting the new building to the Creamery, creating a direct path between West North and Tucker streets.

“It’s all about the local fabric,” emphasizes Davis. “We saw a connection between Smoky Hollow and Glenwood South as one we could really capitalize on.” With its twin towers and streetscape, the Creamery at once weaves together two distinct DTR spaces—and shapes the future of Raleigh living.

North Carolina Museum of History

The NC Museum of History is flying into a new era. Over a decade in the making, the DTR historical center is finally getting a facelift after construction kicked off in late August, with design by DC-based SmithGroup, whose portfolio includes the National Museum of African American History & Culture and the Detroit RiverWalk, and Raleigh’s own LS3P, known for the likes of Raleigh Iron Works and the Wilmington Convention Center.

Preserving its past and literal history while ushering it into the future, the transformative take not only launches the space another 40K square feet, but completely flips the script on the visitor experience. Less mausoleum, more modernist and inviting—a plethora of glass, natural light and materials, open space, and a reoriented entrance on Jones Street are all designed to guide seamlessly and best explore and discover North Carolina’s stories.

“I think it’s going to have a stronger presence with a lot more visibility,” maintains LS3P Principal, Project Manager and Architect Dean Rains— especially as it lights up come nighttime. “It’s going to be a beacon to draw people—and just a more open, welcoming space that’ll attract people into those central galleries and discover the story of North Carolina and the community.”

As a nod to that NC lore, the tripartite exterior facade echoes the mountains, piedmont and coast—from mountain-style landscaping features and warm wood panels to four replicas of the Wright Brothers flyers “flying off into Kill Devil Hills” as the focal point of an interior 55 foot glass-walled atrium, complete with an indoor-outdoor mezzanine.

Inside, the museum will gain a more contemporary gallery, circulation, educational spaces like classrooms and demo kitchen, and other flex space. A unique glass “storage room” will double as a rotating gallery displaying the museum’s massive collection of paintings, maps, clothes, furniture, guns, knives, toys and beyond. Even the restaurant and gift shop are getting a mod makeover.

“This project is about honoring the trust North Carolinians place in us to care for their history,” says Director of the Division of State History Museums C.J. Roberts. “We’re building a space worthy of the stories, artifacts and traditions that define our state—so they can be preserved and shared for generations to come.”

Set to ignite NC history—think Night at the Museum, minus the runaway mummies—the reno transforms the museum into a mustsee destination along the city’s cultural corridor that’s sure to have Raleighites flying high for years.

The Depot

Since the 19th century, Downtown Raleigh’s Depot Historic District has been a crossroads of community and connection—rooted in its railroad and distribution hub history. Now, LODEN Development is turning that legacy into a bold new chapter, transforming the cobblestone lot between the tracks and Davie Street into a vibrant work-play-stay destination.

“There’s real energy in this part of the city,” says LODEN Partner Henry Ward. “We see The Depot as a key connector in Downtown Raleigh that links people, ideas and neighborhoods.”

Anchored by an eight-story 170-room boutique hotel and rooftop bar with sweeping city vistas, the trackside transformation serves lodgers and locals alike a veritable playground to the tune of 30K+ square feet of street-level retail, complete with microshops and pop-ups; more than an acre of outdoor gathering space; and 20K square feet of elevated office space.

The historic Depot building, dating back to 1912, will be preserved and celebrated, with underused corners activated into a signature public plaza, lush green pockets and lively gathering spaces. LODEN is also committed to tapping local and regional brands to ensure the destination draws not just hotel guests and office tenants, but neighbors, day-trippers and the afterwork crowd.

Building on the area’s connective spirit, a dual “front door” design and network of interwoven pedestrian pathways anchor The Depot between the expanded Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater to the southeast, Glenwood South to the north, and the growing West End district nearby to create a true urban crossroads.

Pairing placemaking with preservation, the railway renaissance fuses legacy and liveliness— honoring what was while making room for what’s next. Here, the city’s past and future don’t just coexist—they elevate each other.