Corcoran expands to Raleigh and joins forces with DeRonja Real Estate.
There’s a new—yet familiar—name on Raleigh’s red-hot real estate scene. NYC-based The Corcoran Group, founded in 1973 by Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank fame, recently expanded to the City of Oaks, teaming up with Raleigh’s DeRonja Real Estate to launch Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate. The buzzy partnership bridges the gap between world-class service and local expertise.
“I am honored to announce that DeRonja Real Estate is now affiliated with Corcoran, one of the world’s premier residential real estate companies,” says founder and principal broker Frank DeRonja. “While we remain locally owned and independent, we now benefit from the enhanced marketing exposure, reach and services the Corcoran brand offers.”
Although Corcoran has a strong existing presence in the Carolinas (think offices in Charlotte and Wilmington), DeRonja says the company had been eyeing our market for several years, recognizing the same qualities that draw people to the Triangle—“a first-class, stable community ideal for business,” he explains.
As Corcoran began to hone in on Raleigh, DeRonja says the culture of his eponymous firm proved to be an “incredible match” with the internationally renowned luxury brand. “Their award-winning advertising campaign, Live Who You Are, perfectly aligns with our values and the way we operate,” he shares. “Our focus on collaboration and relationships—rather than just transactions—complements Corcoran‘s emphasis on individuality, making our office truly one-of-a-kind.” And with DeRonja’s expert team of agents boasting an average of 15+ years of experience, it’s no wonder Corcoran took notice.
After months of prepping for the exciting transition, Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate launched in September and is now actively seeking growth opportunities in the Triangle—and beyond. “DeRonja Real Estate has spent the last 14 years building an unmatched reputation for serving clients throughout the Triangle,” DeRonja shares. “As we begin our 15th year as Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate, we are excited to continue raising the bar for service, integrity and market expertise.” Sounds like we have ourselves a deal. drefirm.com
How to transform any cozy nook into a blissful solo sanctuary.
Is home your happy place—or an overstimulating space? Does it nurture you or leave you feeling drained? If the latter sounds all too relatable, then it’s high time you zoned in on creating a Zen zone.
“In today’s fast-paced world, there’s an increasing awareness of the direct link between our daily actions and our mental health,” says mindfulness educator and Astral House Interior Design founder Orshi Wren. As a result, more people are turning to designated relaxation areas in their homes—spaces that serve as a calming escape from the stresses of everyday life.
“Practices such as meditation, yoga and sound baths are becoming more accessible and popular,” explains Wren. “By integrating these elements into their living spaces, [people] create personalized sanctuaries to support their emotional health and overall quality of life.”
Meditation not really your thing? Even still, establishing a spot to unwind after a long day can majorly boost your vitality. Here, Raleigh interior designers share how to style your ultimate Zen zone.
Identify a Nurturing Nook
First things first: Pick the perfect space. “When designing a relaxing retreat, start by identifying a cozy nook in your home,” offers Wren—“preferably near a window or a source of natural light to provide a serene and inviting atmosphere.”
Whether you opt for a quiet corner of the living room or a sunny porch perch, a comfy lounge chair or a small settee serves as the perf foundation, then, “incorporate items as visual prompts for relaxation,” she advises. Think incense, sound bowls, candles and journals. “Having these items visible will remind you of the space’s purpose and encourage you to use them regularly.”
Focus on Color & Organization
These two tips “are intrinsically linked in creating a serene environment,” says Wren, who recommends using an earthy palette of soft beiges, grays and creams that “have a profound emotional impact, helping us feel grounded and peaceful.” Her go-to shade? Benjamin Moore’s Natural Cream, natch. For chromatic harmony, Design by Tula’s Tula Summerford opts for “similar hues and materials to help give the space a calming vibe and create clean lines and unity.”
And since “clutter can cause significant anxiety,” maintains Wren, “maintaining a tidy and orderly space is essential for fostering a sense of calm.”
Embrace Natural Elements & Personal Touches
To bring Zen vibes to life—literally—incorporating greenery and “designing with rattan, marble and other organic materials allows us to enjoy design that isn’t too precious—due to their durability,” emphasizes Grey Joyner of Grey Joyner Interiors—helping the space to feel like it can really be lived in.
“Plants have a natural ability to make us feel more connected to nature,” adds Wren, who admittedly relies on plants and floor pillows for that lived-in feel. Plus, fun fact: “Sitting on the floor can lower our heart rate and promote relaxation.”
Plants, pillows and palette aside, ultimately, focus on what centers you. “I love to create a beautiful altar with meaningful items such as photos of teachers or loved ones, candles, crystals, and an old handcarved mirror,” Wren shares. “These personal touches add a sense of peace and reflection to the space.” Then all that’s left to do is breathe in—and bliss out.
Collaboration and big-picture thinking produce a proposed new district.
If you’ve seen Yellowstone, you know property ownership and inheritance dealings can turn ugly quick. But when Wake County, WakeMed and Wake Tech VIPs assembled to discuss the future of the area surrounding WakeMed’s campus off New Bern Avenue in Southeast Raleigh—where each institution owns a portion of land—there was no contention. Instead, the three parties decided to throw out property lines and work together to create a health and education district that would benefit everyone.
A remarkable unprecedented move spawning a major impact on Raleigh for years to come, the project will be transformational not just for Southeast Raleigh, but for the entire New Bern Avenue corridor—aka “the gateway right into Downtown,” says Tom Cavender, WakeMed’s VP of facilities and construction. Think green space, pedestrian- and bike-friendly paths, and a quad-like feel augmenting the area and adding to the bus rapid transit construction already underway.
“The synergy that will come from this collaborative effort will reach far beyond the borders of these three institutions to impact the entire community in a very positive way,” says former Wake County Commissioner Sig Hutchinson—“from affordable housing to active lifestyles to creating healthy communities to health care services to educational opportunities.”
According to Cavender, what spurred the project was “essentially a confluence of energy between Wake Tech, WakeMed and Wake County… a situation where the sun, stars and moon all aligned.” In short, Wake County received bond money to build a replacement public health center at New Bern Avenue and Sunnybrook Road—nearly adjacent to both WakeMed and Wake Tech—at the same time Wake Tech and WakeMed were collaborating on long-term plans.
So Cavender called Jeff Carter and Mark Forestieri, his Wake Tech and Wake County counterparts, respectively, and said, “What if we just sat around a table… and thought through a way we can better utilize what we have available to us? It’s a great public-private partnership.”
They gathered key players from each org, and “we said, ‘Peel all your allegiances away: What’s best for all of us when we look at this massive 135 acres of land we have between us?’” Cavender recalls. Everyone was on board—and the idea for a health and education district was born.
“It truly was this notion of an opportunity for everybody to win, and I think that’s what’s going to happen,” says Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. “Health care needs from our area are going to continue to grow because we’re growing—and we’re growing older at the same time. … We’re the largest higher-ed provider of health care in Wake County and one of the largest in the region, so that’s a key expansion area for us.”
While WakeMed will inherit adjacent land from Wake County for replacement facilities, Wake Tech will gain significant acreage from WakeMed on the Falstaff Road side to achieve its desired growth. “Right now we’re investing $121 million in the initial expansion for our education part of the campus, so it’s going to mean some big opportunities for Wake County and for the future,” reveals Dr. Ralls.
According to Cavender, the entire district is currently in the rezoning stage and will most likely go to City Council for approval by the end of 2024. If it passes, we could be seeing cranes in the sky by this time next year. The rest is still unwritten because, as Hutchinson points out: “These three institutions erased the property lines and redrew them so each institution would benefit from what they needed versus what they owned. Nothing like this has ever been done before.”
Cavender notes the trio served as the “key component to get this thing off the ground and rolling.” But now he’s hopeful more of WakeMed’s partners and developers willing to invest in the area with speculative incubator buildings will want to join the district.
“We’re being very judicious and purposeful in our thinking,” says Cavender, nodding to child abuse prevention nonprofit SAFEchild’s 20,000-square-foot facility on the campus as an initial partnership to pave the way for further such community collaboration. He also hopes it will serve as a magnet to draw people to the school and to businesses in the area.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” says Hutchinson. “There is such tremendous leadership in all three of these institutions, and I just continue to be amazed at what they can deliver as a model for not only North Carolina, but also for the rest of the country.”
Wake Tech Phase 1 Plans
New parking garage
Cutting-edge 106,000-square-foot addition to its Perry Health Sciences Campus—approximately half of which will be a simulated hospital
Expansion of the nursing program and imaging program
Imaging program will boast a partnership with Siemens, making it one of the most high-tech training centers in the nation.
Two additional building sites available to support Wake Tech’s long-term future growth
Charlotte reigns supreme as a destination worthy of your next weekend escape.
Charlotte’s got a lot indeed. Whether you’re making the 2.5-hour jaunt to NC’s largest city to cheer on one of its pro sports teams, chase a thrill at the NASCAR Hall of Fame or U.S. National Whitewater Center, or check out the vibrant cultural and culinary scenes, the Queen City is ready to roll out the royal treatment.
From shopping for designer duds in SouthPark to brewery-hopping along the Rail Trail in South End to soaking in panoramic views on a rooftop patio Uptown (one of CLT’s many quirks is its downtown is called Uptown—just go with it), there’s truly an area—and an activity—to satisfy every type of traveler in the sprawling metropolis. No matter which adventure you choose, you’re sure to be charmed by the city’s dazzling crown jewels and delightful Southern hospitality. Go off, queen!
DO
Courtesy of Rally
Mint Museum + Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Want a culture fix? Head to Uptown’s Levine Center for the Arts to experience both the museums’ wide array of permanent art collections and innovative rotating exhibits. Don’t miss The Firebird (nicknamed “Disco Chicken” by locals), an over-17-foot-tall mirrored sculpture that greets visitors outside of the Bechtler. It’s one of the city’s most iconic—and ’Grammable—spots. mintmuseum.org; bechtler.org
Rally
Enjoy some friendly competition in the Lower South End via this trendy pickleball hangout. It’s kind of a big *dill* thanks to indoor and outdoor courts anchored by craft cocktail bars (Queen City Spritz, anyone?), specialty coffee and tasty bites like Neapolitan-style ’za. The vibes are immaculate, and the Friday night Paddle Battles have become a fan-fave event. Go ahead, get your pickle on. rallypickleball.com
Optimist Hall
Eat, sip and shop your way through this bustling textile mill-turned-food hall just north of Uptown with 20+ food stalls, a canine-friendly central courtyard and much more. Foodie faves include Indian street grill Botiwalla; Harriet’s Hamburgers; and Marina’s Tapas, which is set to open this fall. Trust us, you won’t leave hungry. optimisthall.com
EAT
Photo by Kenty Chung – Courtesy of Customshop
Counter-
Executive chef/founder Sam Hart’s Wesley Heights restaurant pushes the boundaries of traditional fine dining with themed tasting menus paired with art and music for an immersive, multisensory experience. (Past menus have featured everything from drive-thru classics to Jay-Z.) Hart was named a James Beard finalist in 2023, but his ultimate goal is lifting up rising stars in the industry. Yes, chef! counterclt.com
Customshop
The Elizabeth mainstay’s executive chef/owner Andres Kaifer and GM/partner Alex Bridges hit it off while working at Vidrio—and the duo has since transformed the eatery into the place for creative, elevated fare in a nonpretentious environment since taking it over in 2022. Everything on the fresh, seasonal menu is designed to share, but the handmade pasta and burrata are must-orders.customshopfood.com
Yunta
Peruvian and Japanese cuisines merge at this South End staple with a sleek interior and some of the best ceviche around. DJs spinning house music on weekends provide a clubby vibe, perfect for pairing with one of the colorful cocktails starring pisco, the national spirit of Peru. Opt for the pisco sour flight to experience the bev to the fullest. yuntanikkei.com
DRINK
Courtesy of Canopy Cocktails & Garden
Idlewild
This small-but-mighty cocktail bar—a favorite among Charlotte bartenders—serves up some of the best tipples in town. Tucked within the hip NoDa neighborhood, Idlewild’s cocktails are based on guests’ preferences, meaning there’s no menu—just an invitation to engage in intimate conversation to find out what strikes your fancy. Bespoke bevvies? We’ll cheers to that. idlewildbar.com
Canopy Cocktails & Garden
Don’t let the line outside the buzzy South End spotdeteryou—it’s worth the wait. Espresso martinis flow freely inside the sexy, Gatsby-esque cocktail lounge, which is adorned with flickering candles, rows of books and tufted leather chairs. But the real attraction is Canopy’s patio garden, which never fails to draw an, ahem, spirited crowd. canopycocktails.com
Sycamore Brewing
Now a four-in-one concept, the 21,000-square-foot, two-story combined taproom, beer garden, Airstream food truck and cafe in South End is a bona fide destination. Come for the award-winning brews like Mountain Candy IPA and Southern Girl blonde ale; stay for the lively atmosphere and impressive space (for primo city views, head to the kiddo- and pup-friendly rooftop beer garden). sycamorebrew.com
STAY
Courtesy of the Dunhill Hotel
The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte
This elegant resort known for its sophisticated dining and high-end spa lies just south of Uptown—plus it’s within walking distance of The Bowl, Ballantyne’s brand-new dining/shopping/entertainment destination; and The Amp Ballantyne, an outdoor amphitheater that’s poised to become the Charlotte’s hottest new concert venue. theballantynehotel.com
The Dunhill Hotel
The title of Charlotte’s only historic boutique hotel belongs to this circa-1929 gem boasting indulgent packages and a central Uptown location near the likes of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. With a blend of Old World charm and modern amenities, it’s a unique option in a city overrun with chain-branded hotels. Nostalgia at its finest, indeed. dunhillhotel.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
NC’s only The Ritz-Carlton is an oasis in the heart of Uptown, offering sumptuous accommodations, spectacular views and a swanky spa (see: the pink Himalayan salt room and indoor pool with poolside dining). Don’t leave without a rendezvous in the speakeasy-esque The Punch Room and a visit to Bar Cocoa, a chic dessert bar that will make any chocolate lover swoon. ritzcarlton.com
Local nonprofit sets a new benchmark for unhoused people—and other cities are taking notice.
Oak City Cares has a firm vision that no person should experience homelessness alone. And the organization has gone above and beyond to make that a reality, establishing a one-stop shop for individuals to build trusting relationships and connections to coordinated services necessary to reestablish a home.
Yet, while Oak City Cares has garnered attention across the country for this innovative model, the nonprofit hub is so much more than just a service center. For the guests who come through its doors, Oak City Cares is family.
The local org’s emphasis on collaboration—combined with a heart for what Executive Director Kathy Johnson calls “radical hospitality”—is its secret sauce. Beyond providing meals daily and covering basic needs, Oak City Cares boasts an always-evolving care coordination program incorporating 25+ partner providers in the community. Read: Instead of having to trek all over town, individuals can have all their needs—from primary health care and mental health services to veterans’ services, food stamps, employment training and more—addressed “effectively and efficiently in one location,” she explains.
“Maybe people don’t need all of those things; maybe they just need some,” continues Johnson, “I think what is so subtle—but is the most important thing we do—is connecting [people] to the right service in the right order.” She adds that for a population who can often be given the run-around and easily loses trust, this is “life-changing.”
Today, as everyone grapples with the ripple effects of inflation, Oak City Cares is experiencing a staggering level of growth due to an increasing demand for its services, and is expected to quadruple its numbers of people served from 1,500 in 2021–22 to 6,000 by the end of 2024.
Despite the challenges of these rising numbers, Johnson is confident her team, alongside Oak City Cares’ ever-growing list of community partners, can continue to meet the needs of their guests—“an amazing group of people who touch my heart every single day,” she shares. And not only will they meet the needs, but they will meet them in a way “that is still consistent with who we are,” says Johnson. “We will continue to know people by name and know their stories and become even a surrogate family. It will just be a much larger family now.”
To wit, Oak City Cares is leading the charge nationwide. Already, the org has been contacted by cities across the state—as well as Florida and even Alaska—that were inspired to rethink the way individuals experiencing homelessness are cared for.
“We are eager to figure out how we can collaborate and share funding to do things and do it better. That lends us to be a model for others. Everyone comes together here to serve our neighbors, which is just awesome. … I love that we get to be the convener of that.”
