What’s Rising Next in Raleigh?

Raleigh’s building boom is kicking it into high gear. Beyond the projects already reshaping the skyline, another wave of towers, hotels and mixed-use developments is permitted, planned and primed to break ground. Here’s what’s rising next—and how it could reshape the city.

By Melissa Howsam & Lauren Kruchten

“Buildings don’t create great cities—people do.” Highwoods Properties SVP Skip Hill’s mic drop statement isn’t just lip service. 

Today’s most ambitious projects increasingly reflect that principle. It’s no longer enough to plop down an office tower or apartment building and call it a day. The new playbook layers places to live and work with restaurants, recreation, gathering spaces, greenways and connections designed to make entire districts useful, accessible—and somewhere people actually want to be.

Just three decades ago, Downtown Raleigh was a very different place—and it showed. Storefronts sat empty. Fayetteville Street’s pedestrian mall was failing. “Everything was brown,” recalls DECO’s Pam Blondin. “The old Civic Center looked like a prison.” Come 5 o’clock, everyone bolted—and even The News & Observer was considering leaving Downtown amid a dearth of investment.

What followed wasn’t one silver-bullet project, but a series of big bets: Fayetteville Street reopened. The Civic Center came down. A new convention center went up. Then came housing, restaurants, public spaces and destinations that gave people a reason not only to come Downtown—but to stick around. Three decades later, DTR is hardly the place that emptied out at quitting time.

And Downtown was just the beginning. Beyond the cranes and projects already reshaping the city, another wave of residential towers, hotels, mixed-use developments and entirely new districts is permitted, planned or preparing to break ground. 

From Downtown and Midtown to West Raleigh and beyond, billions in investment are laying the groundwork for a larger, denser and more destination-driven Raleigh.

But citywide, bigger buildings and taller skylines are only part of the story. For decades, developers, restaurateurs, small business owners and residents have worked to create “a place where people don’t just pass through—they belong,” says Neetzan Zimmerman, co-owner of The Newsagent’s. Increasingly, the projects coming next are being designed with that same bigger-picture thinking—connecting not only uses, but neighborhoods, destinations and people.

Because, as Hill put it another way, “real estate is not the story—people are.” That’s the opportunity as Raleigh’s next chapter rises: not simply to make room for more residents, businesses and visitors, but to build a bigger city that works better for the people already here—and gives everyone else a reason to come. 

Here’s what’s rising next. 

One Nash Square

Now selling • 20 stories • 82 residences

Downtown Raleigh’s condo market is heating up. Sales officially launched over the summer at One Nash Square, DTR’s newest condo development aptly situated across from its namesake green space on West Martin Street.

The 20-story tower from NYC-based Alchemy Properties is making a play in a market that remains relatively untapped in Raleigh’s core: luxury for-sale housing. Its one- to four-bedroom layouts give buyers the chance to put down actual Downtown roots—rather than rent them—while delivering the lifestyle and amenities expected at an $800K+ starting price.

And Alchemy is betting Raleigh is ready. Pointing to Downtown’s increasingly walkable environment and the next generation of residents looking to transition from renting to owning, “We think the timing is right,” says Alchemy’s Ryan Ray. “It’s always tough to be the first in the market, but we think it’s just the right time for us.”

Designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, living spaces lean light and airy via open floor plans, 10- to 12-foot ceilings, oversize windows, terraces and balconies, with engineered oak flooring offering a subtle nod to the City of Oaks.

Beyond residents’ walls, an extensive amenities program enhances the luxe lifestyle: An outdoor saltwater pool and state-of-the-art fitness center with spa facilities bring the wellness factor, while a resident’s lounge, golf simulator and private dining add spaces to gather. Even four-legged occupants get in on the action via an outdoor dog run and pet spa.

Ground-floor retail and on-site parking further reinforce the ease of DTR living—adding another piece to a Downtown increasingly built not just for people to visit, work and rent, but to own a piece of it.

Rosewood 

In progress, opening 2028 • 8 stories • 269 units • 5.5K SF retail 

The last piece of the puzzle connecting the greenway to Downtown is taking shape. Occupying a uniquely complex site at DTR’s southern edge between the historic character of Boylan Heights, the evolving South Saunders corridor and Dix Park, Rosewood isn’t just bridging distinct parts of Raleigh architecturally, socially and physically—it’s building a community around that connection.

Developed by Blue Heron Asset Management and designed by Cline, the residential project comprises two podium buildings with parking tucked beneath, intentionally stepping down in scale with Boylan Heights. 

Rather than mimic the industrial ethos of the nearby Warehouse District, the design leans into Raleigh’s brick architectural roots, layering warm wood accents, arched elements and contemporary detailing to create something new that still feels at home in its storied surroundings.

But perhaps Rosewood’s most consequential connection happens outside its walls. The project will help complete the missing link between the future Lake Wheeler Road section of the greenway and Downtown, creating a pedestrian connection through the site to Dix Park and into the city’s growing trail and greenway network—with the greenway connection slated to come online alongside the development.

Outside, the living experience gets decidedly more playful, as the two buildings frame a central outdoor amenity space flanked by private terraces from select premium residences. Up top, a lounge and terrace take in South Saunders views—while a hidden speakeasy is tucked discreetly behind an entrance designed to look like any other residence. A dedicated wellness suite puts me-time front of mind via a sauna and cold plunge, with South Street-facing retail bringing another layer of lifestyle to a project designed not simply to sit between neighborhoods—but to stitch them together.

Highline Glenwood

Under construction, opening 2028 • 37 stories • 306 units • 7.5K SF retail • 50K SF office/commercial  

Raleigh is officially growing up—way up. Currently rising in Glenwood South, Highline Glenwood will claim the title of the city’s tallest tower at 37 stories when it opens in 2028,  redefining not only the Downtown skyline, but the scale of a district long dominated by renovated homes-turned-businesses, low-slung bars and restaurants, and comparatively modest apartment buildings.

But for Jason Davis, managing director of developer Turnbridge Equities, it’s not just about height. “It’s about offering a distinctive living experience in the heart of Downtown,” he says. 

Spanning an entire city block, the mixed-use high-rise pairs that vertical future with a piece of Raleigh’s past, preserving historic DTR landmark The Creamery building as part of the development—while marking a turning point for the strip, which until now has been predominantly characterized by its industrial lore.

And Highline is going big on more than height: A ninth-floor outdoor terrace packs a pool, cabanas, padel court, firepits and lounge areas—complemented by a Trackman golf simulator; a fitness and wellness center with cold plunge, sauna and recovery amenities; and coworking suites. Raising the city’s bar, a 37th-floor indoor/outdoor sky lounge—and upper-floor balconies—serves up sweeping unobstructed vistas of the urban core from DTR to North Hills.

“This project offers an unmatched perspective,” says Davis. “As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Raleigh deserves a development that reflects its energy and vision.” Back on the ground, retail fronts a landscaped public plaza, bringing some of the development—and activity—to the street rather than keeping it all up in the clouds.

And Highline is only the beginning. Turnbridge plans to next develop 404 Glenwood at The Creamery, adding up to 280K square feet of Class A office space and 41,400 square feet of retail and dining—signaling Glenwood South’s vertical evolution is just getting off the ground.

The Exchange Raleigh

Breaking ground October • 19 floors • 261 luxury apartments • 10 penthouses

More than just another residential tower, The Exchange’s Life Time Living project redefines the category of luxe living in Raleigh—not just in size, but ambition. Slated to break ground this month, the two-in-one project pairs a boutique apartment tower with Life Time Athletic’s sprawling athletic country club, while The Exchange’s East Park retail plaza is set to deliver alongside it, marking the development’s next phase of activation. 

Calling Life Time Athletic Club a gym would be selling it wildly short. Designed for residents and members alike, the club layers cardio equipment, free weights, resistance training and personal training with dedicated Pilates, yoga, cycling and barre classes, plus a coworking lounge, child care and all-day, open-to-the-public Life Time Cafe.

Resort-inspired amenities carry over to the residential side, where luxury apartments with best-in-class finishes—including 10 penthouses—are complemented by a loaded amenity floor featuring a clubroom, billiards and shuffleboard room, sports and golf simulator, grills, firepits, cornhole. Then there’s the whopping 39K SF Life Time Rooftop Beach Resort and Bistro, and up top, 19th-floor Sky Lounge with fireplace, and cocktail bar and rooftop terrace—all adding to the hotel-meets-private-club feel.

“We’re confident this development will be a transformative addition to Midtown Raleigh,” says Dewitt Carolinas President Steven Beattie, “setting a new standard for living, wellness and community.”

North Hills Innovation District

Under development • Four residential buildings • 250-key hotel • Office tower

If you thought North Hills’ expansion was over, just wait. After acquiring an additional 28 acres earlier this year, Kane Realty is primed for a new series of projects at the North Hills Innovation District—the next phase of the 20-plus-year evolution of its 130-acre mixed-use development in Midtown.

Set to expand the district’s footprint to Wake Forest Road, the next era builds upon Kane’s original vision of intersecting the natural and urban worlds while adding housing, hospitality, office, retail, open space and new connections to the surrounding community. “This next phase of NHID extends our vision of a place where people can work, live and connect,” says Kane Realty Managing Director of Development Drew Yates.

As part of that effort, Kane is extending a greenway connection that will ultimately tie into Raleigh’s larger trail network. With the initial segment from St. Albans Drive to Hardimont Road now open, the next phase of the boardwalk-esque pedestrian bridge will connect St. Albans Lofts to the currently under-construction residential Tributary before eventually extending to the planned multimodal bridge over I-440. 

And that’s only the beginning. Future phases call for high-rise residential tower Vesper, midrise apartment building Merit, as well as Veranda—North Hills’ second active-adult community—plus an upscale hotel, office tower, freestanding retail, sports courts, nature trails, park spaces and amenitized walking paths. Across the residential projects, Kane is leaning heavily into wellness and outdoor living, from rooftop pools, terraces and fitness lawns to cryotherapy, infrared saunas and dedicated recovery spaces.

“The market is telling us there’s demand for housing at every stage of life,” says Yates, “and by delivering that within an urban, nature-forward setting, we’re not just meeting Raleigh’s needs today—we’re building a stronger, more resilient community.”

Still to come: a planned office tower and upscale hotel with up to 250 rooms, a cafe, rooftop dining and bar, event spaces and pool—further extending a district that increasingly functions as a destination unto itself.

Taken together, the projects make one thing clear: North Hills is nowhere near finished.

North Hills Park District

Delivering summer 2027 • 20 stories • 362 units • 20 penthouses • 9K SF retail

Stacking up well against North Hills’ roster of high-rises is the Park District’s newest addition, situated nearby such popular spots as Cucciolo Terrazza, Tamasha, Vita Vite and Midtown Yoga. Rising 20 stories, The Strand introduces 362 modern residences—including 20 distinctive penthouses—along with a dedicated arrival and ride-share area.

A hospitality-inspired lobby welcomes residents with a comfortable lounge area, fireplace and full-service concierge, while a slate of boutique amenities delivering unique high-end elements sets it apart from the district’s current apartment-building lineup. Balancing entertainment, wellness and community, offerings range from a sixth-level clubroom with game tables and billiards, a resort-style saltwater pool with cabanas, and garden terraces with intimate conversation enclaves to an indoor/outdoor fitness studio and bike room with rentable bicycles and e-bikes.

The cherry on top? A Reserve Clubroom boasting an entertainment kitchen and dining space, lounge and terrace for taking in sweeping views of both North Hills and Downtown—while The Indigo Room serves up a private speakeasy exclusive to penthouse residents.

On the public-facing side, The Strand delivers ample ground-level retail alongside a welcoming promenade with generous sidewalks encouraging outdoor dining, strolling and activity throughout the day—further stitching the new tower into the burgeoning activity throughout North Hills. 

Eastside

Construction begins this fall, opening 2028 • 20 acres • 250K+ SF mixed-use • Direct connectivity to 500K+ SF retail

What looks like a basic brick building we’ve all breezed by thousands of times is about to become one of Raleigh’s next big developments—and a case study in moving the city forward without bulldozing its past.

Enter Eastside, the transformation of the long-abandoned former Colonial Stores distribution warehouse at 2233 Capital Boulevard. Backing up to Raleigh Iron Works and stretching toward Salvage Yard, the massive pedestrian-oriented adaptive-reuse project from Beacon Partners and Cline will carve the sprawling industrial building into a new mixed-use destination for offices, retail, restaurants, recreation and gathering—while engineering new pedestrian connections across the corridor and adjacent to Raleigh’s extensive greenway trail network.

Rather than raze the warehouse, the team plans to retain the majority of its brick bones, punching in windows and selectively removing portions—including the southern end to make way for a multifamily component—to carve its enormous footprint into more usable, inviting spaces. At least two F&B concepts are envisioned alongside fitness and activity-based retailers, while a former rail spur lends itself to a string of pocket parks and outdoor spaces designed to bring some of the site back to the public. 

For Cline, which plans to relocate its own HQ to the site and invest in the project, preserving that identity is the point. “There’s history to it and a story to it,” says Cline Design Director Dan Rider, “and as long-term investors in the city, it’s important for us to acknowledge and be part of that.” While nearby RIW leans into steel and its industrial roots, Eastside takes its cues from Raleigh’s brick architectural vernacular—straddling the line between making the old warehouse recognizable and giving it an unmistakably contemporary second life.

And the location may be as consequential as the building itself. Capital Boulevard has long functioned as Raleigh’s northern gateway without exactly looking the part. With Iron Works, Salvage Yard and new housing already pushing DTR’s perceived borders outward, Eastside answers a yearslong call to turn this overlooked stretch into an entrance worthy of a growing cap city.

Downtown South

Construction starting 2026 • 350 units

After years of starts, stops and big promises, Downtown South may finally be moving from blueprint to reality. Originally unveiled in 2019, the $2+ billion mixed-use development spearheaded by Kane Realty founder John Kane and North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage owner Steve Malik encompasses roughly 140 acres along the southern edge of DTR. The goal: transforming a largely industrial corridor into a dense, walkable urban district blending residential, office, retail, hospitality, entertainment and public green space.

Now, Kane has filed plans for the first piece: 350 apartments across eight three- to four-story buildings on 11 acres, with construction targeted to begin by year-end. It’s a modest start, but a meaningful one. Long term, Downtown South is still envisioned as a new southern gateway to DTR, layering additional housing, a hotel and a concert venue.