Big changes are coming to a long-neglected junction of DTR.
A long-dilapidated pocket of Downtown Raleigh wedged between the Capital District, Warehouse District and Glenwood South is finally seeing a surge of activity—injecting new life into a stretch long defined by vacant buildings and abandoned surface lots.
400H: Nick McLamb, Raleigh Real Estate Photography
Anchored by mixed-use development 400H and upcoming projects Garden West and 500 Hillsborough, the junction at West and Hillsborough streets is shifting from an eyesore into an emerging hub. And that narrative will only continue to unfold as the new projects gain traction.
Commercial real estate firm HM Partners placed the first big bet on the area with 400H, a project years in the making before bowing in 2023.
“I felt the center of gravity for Downtown activity was leaning west as opposed to east,” reflects managing partner Gregg Sandreuter. “It seemed like this block was the right spot and could become a pretty nifty location.”
The prediction has largely paid off: Today, the development is teeming with residents, office tenants, and popular destinations Press and Brass Tap.
Building on that momentum, Sandreuter purchased the long-defunct CrossFit building across the street—an eyesore in its own right—where he plans to launch Garden West, a hospitality-driven concept that could see either one larger tenant or two to three smaller ones, he teases.
Garden West: HM Partners
Meanwhile, DC-based Dalian Development’s proximal 500 Hillsborough—which recently entered demolition—will add more than 220 modern residential units and 10K square feet of ground-floor retail space on a central block that previously housed Flex Nightclub and Montgomery Violins, among others.
Taken together, the trio of developments could create what Sandreuter calls a new node of activity just beyond DTR’s traditional epicenters. “The more the merrier,” he says. “It’ll create a new sort of critical mass for Downtown.”
The area already benefits from nearby anchors like Taverna Agora, Second Empire and Jubala’s new Pendo building location, as well as a planned renovation of the iconic “hair-curler” Holiday Inn.
“It’s hard to imagine this corner of Downtown not getting better.”
—Gregg Sandreuter, Managing Partner, HM Partners
Sandreuter envisions the district evolving into something a little different from neighboring Glenwood South—less late-night hot spot, more daytime-to-evening gathering place. “I think this spot is becoming Downtown’s new 8am to 9pm place: safe, clean, pleasant, and an easy walk to apartments, restaurants and offices,” he muses, predicting a polished mix of residential, office and retail energy that steers clear of late-night revelry—as long as spillover doesn’t occur.
In short, the long-overlooked intersection is quickly becoming more destination than pass-through—and the perception is already starting to shift. “It’s a neat, improving part of Downtown that five years from now will be even better,” emphasizes Sandreuter. Proof that a once-overlooked corner can evolve into one of the city’s most dynamic nodes.
Street Cred While Hillsborough Street may not carry the same clout as Fayetteville Street—aka Raleigh’s Main Street—it’s still a prominent Downtown thoroughfare, connecting the Capital to Glenwood South before extending through NC State and on to the fairgrounds. When Raleigh was first mapped out in 1792, the then-dubbed dirt Hillsboro Road served as a route to the small Orange County town of the same name. It wasn’t until 1910 that it evolved into a bustling corridor seeing thousands of vehicles each day—and gradually filling with businesses that have since called it home. Now, the stretch from Salisbury Street to Glenwood Avenue is entering yet another chapter in its evolution.
Block [83] Photo by CBRE
Westward Shift On the western end of the junction sits thriving mixed-use development Bloc[83] and its One Glenwood and 621 Hillsborough buildings—recently acquired by local developer Highwoods Properties (also of 150 Fayetteville, PNC Plaza and Charter Square, to name a few). Adding to the vibrancy of the area and extending Hillsborough Street’s westward momentum, the complex is home to hot spots Dram & Draught, Incendiary Brewing, YogaSix and Simons Says Dip This, alongside a mix of office space—with DTR’s first Chipotle also on deck for May.
Where the Guinness is frothy, the mountains glow green and a constant hum of live music spills from nearly every doorway, Dublin delivers a rare blend of vibrant culture and deep-rooted history. A nonstop Aer Lingus flight launching this April from RDU gives Raleighites direct access to everything The Dubs has to offer, from quaint cafes and boutiques to lively eateries and festivals.
As the Irish blessing goes, may the road rise to meet you—and in Dublin, it usually leads to a pub. Framed by mountains, edged by the Irish Sea and fueled by the luck of the Irish, it’s a city where a good time awaits around every corner—and where anyone can find their rhythm, perfect for pulling up for a pint, catching a local band and settling into the city’s buzzing pub scene. Sláinte!
DO
Guinness Storehouse Consider this the mother ship of stout. Dublin’s most famous pint awaits inside St. James’s Gate (also a great photo op), where the Storehouse pours out the history, craft and culture behind the world’s most iconic dark beer. Master the perfect pour, snap a Stoutie and cap it all off with a fresh Guinness at the Gravity Bar—360-degree skyline views included. guinness-storehouse.com
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum For an ~epic~ crash course in Ireland’s past, the three-time winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction brings the country’s story to life through interactive exhibits, immersive storytelling and rotating events—from Irish journalism to JFK’s famed visit. epicchq.com
City Kayaking Trade cobblestones for currents via City Kayaking, leading paddlers from Liffey Boardwalk under the Ha’Penny and O’Connell bridges and past some of the Fair City’s most recognizable landmarks. In warmer months, the Music Under the Bridges series turns the river into a floating concert hall—accessible only by kayak. citykayaking.com
EAT
Keogh’s Cafe Rise and fry—full Irish, please. Keogh’s classic Irish breakfast—bangers, black and white pudding, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast—has fueled Dublin mornings for more than 30 years from its cozy city-center perch. Beyond brekkie, expect strong cuppas, sandos, pastries and hearty farm-to-plate fare like Guinness & beef stew.keoghscafe.ie
Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud For when a pint won’t cut it, the two-star Michelin resto turns out a seasonally rotating French-Irish menu featuring the likes of Celtic Sea black sole, roasted foie gras, blue lobster ravioli, and Comté cheese soufflé—all served inside a striking space crowned by soaring ceilings and intricate lighting. rpgmenu.ie
The Stag’s Head
Blink and you might miss it. Tucked down a narrow passage off Dame Street, Dublin’s landmark Victorian pub opens into a dimly lit den of dark wood, stained glass and plush lounges. The comfort-food menu delivers the goods: ham and cheese toasties; Irish cottage pie; fish and chips (er, fries); and a burger piled with smoked bacon, aged Dubliner white cheddar cheese and a beer-battered onion ring—best paired with a pint and a long linger. stagshead.ie
DRINK
The Temple Bar Yes, it’s touristy—go anyway. Dublin’s bright-red foliage-draped Temple is one of the city’s most recognizable pubs for a reason—boasting Ireland’s largest whiskey collection (read: 350+), a deep bench of Irish beers, and live music daily that keeps the craic on tap long after the last pint is poured. thetemplebarpub.com
The Brazen Head Older than most countries, pints have poured here since 1198. Ireland’s oldest pub—and the world’s fifth oldest—pairs centuries of history with weekly live music in its historic Music Room and a steady stream of draughts, from Guinness to Kilkenny to Rockshore cider. brazenhead.com
BAR 1661 Irish spirits, front and center. Dublin’s cocktail game runs deep at 1661—voted Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2025—pouring inventive ’tails built around a range of distinct ingredients—think the Crystal Clarity made with Weavers vodka, Aperol, rhubarb, custard and cava, or the famed Belfast Coffee feat. Bán Poitín, cold brew, cream, demerara and nutmeg—a fitting finale for a night out. bar1661.ie
STAY
The Schoolhouse Hotel Class is in session. Set inside a restored 19th century schoolhouse, the red-brick facade exudes a mini Hogwarts-esque vibe along the Grand Canal in Ballsbridge. Cozy yet refined, the stay pairs historic charm with 31 freshly refurbished en-suite rooms—perfect for a charming night in. schoolhouse.ie
The Westbury Where Dublin does glamour, The Westbury feels more art gallery than hotel, oozing with museumworthy works and elegant design touches. Its 205 rooms and suites deliver contemporary comfort—marble bathrooms, oversize windows, calming palettes—while on-site Wilde restaurant channels 1930s Parisian elegance amid an abundance of lush greenery. Sanctuary found. doylecollection.com
Clontarf Castle Hotel Sleeping in a castle? When in Ireland… obviously. Just outside the city center, Clontarf’s 12th century fortress mixes medieval character with modern luxury, from stone corridors and grand staircases to the lively Knights Bar. Expect historic details, plush accommodations and award-winning restaurants and bars where you can dine—and drink—like royalty. clontarfcastle.ie
After 25+ years, Slim’s remains Raleigh’s unpolished shrine to a good time.
Between the dark moody digs, hazy smoker-friendly patio and cheap drinks, Slim’s is the epitome of a dive. Recently surpassing its 25th anny, the nee-1999 bar has long held court on South Wilmington Street, serving up a nostalgic grittiness that can’t be found at Raleigh’s slew of shiny new cocktail clubs (though those, of course, have their own place).
From its concert poster-plastered front window and photo-bedecked bar top to a smattering of stickers covering nearly every other surface from the walls to the doors, Slim’s is like a punk-rock time capsule—encapsulating an authenticity that can’t be replicated.
Despite new ownership in 2024, the rules remain simple: “Drink, don’t be a d*ck, no music requests, tip or die, and no wrestling.” And as it’s always been, on any given night, you’ll find all sorts of local characters bellied up for a beer and a shot (or a Mind Eraser if they’re feeling frisky) as bands of all genres rotate in and out—from punk and shoegaze to rock and indie.
Upstairs, the sounds of pool balls ricocheting off the felt and the bright pings and dings of pinball machines add to the background noise—while the outdoor patio is a mecca for smokers or anyone stepping outside for a reset.
Where the drinks are cheap, the guitars are loud, and “bad decisions are encouraged,” Slim’s feels less like a bar and more like a rite of passage—a no-frills gathering space for misfits, musicians, industry folks, in-the-know locals and everyone in between. Because here, last calls stretch into lifelong stories, the bathroom graffiti reads like a community diary, and the small-but-mighty stage doubles as a launching pad for up-and-coming artists.
In a city where all eyes are on what’s new and next, the OG dive remains delightfully, defiantly scuffed—and Raleigh’s here for it. slimsraleigh.com
Parking is the lifeblood for Downtown—no question about it. Not just for residents, employees and out-of-towners, but for small businesses that rely on people venturing Downtown to spend money.
Now, proposed changes to Raleigh’s parking policies are meeting mounting backlash—from both DTR regulars and would-be visitors—as well as the local shops, restaurants, bars and fitness studios that depend on them.
The City of Raleigh presented three different options to Council in March to offset the projected $8 million FY27 budget shortfall in its parking fund—a deficit six years in the making. City staff ultimately favored a proposal that would increase parking rates, reduce free parking options and introduce new costs for some Downtown businesses (see callout box).
Staff positioned the price hikes alongside other areas of the city they said were also considering raising parking rates, though those centers were quick to shut down the rumors (see below).
Council members pushed back on the proposals: Mitchell Silver stressed one hour of free parking simply isn’t enough, while Megan Patton went so far as to call all three options “nuclear.” Their concerns reflect what’s at stake, as Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s free two-hour parking pilot has generated ~$3.8M in annual spending across the five participating decks.
Artspace CEO Carly Jones tells RM that visitors frequently point to DTR parking as a persistent challenge. The free two-hour parking, she says, has been a huge lift for Artspace and surrounding art organizations.
Now, that incentive is in jeopardy. And DRA is sounding the alarm: “We believe the proposal is way too aggressive, would have a dramatic impact on Downtown’s economy—and we do not support its implementation,” stresses DRA President and CEO Bill King. “Our storefronts are 90% locally owned and need their customers to be able to have easy and affordable access, or they will simply go to many other options around the city and region for dining and shopping.”
King adds parking costs affect the ability to lease DTR office space, attract visitors and maintain a vibrant core—and that more modest, incremental changes could accomplish the city’s goals without harming the economy.
“The scope and breadth of these proposed changes are simply too much at one time for an economy that still needs help,” he says.
DRA is encouraging residents and stakeholders to share their opinions with Council before new policies take effect in January. Meanwhile, the City is working on an RFP for a parking study to guide decisions on which facilities to keep, eliminate or allocate to private markets. In April, new recommendations will be brought back to Council in private small-group meetings held out of the public eye.
For now, the debate over how—and how much—to charge for parking Downtown is far from settled. In the meantime, it’s crucial to make your voice—and opinions—heard.
Off-Street Deck Parking Monthly parking spot $135 (up from $125)
Move to 24/6 (every day but Sunday) and increase hourly rate by $2–3
Reduce two-hour free parking program to just one hour
Increase Small Business Downtown Parking Relief program from $0 to $60 per month
On-Street Parking Increase rates from $1.25 to $2.50/hour, keep existing hours (Mon.–Fri. 8am–6pm)
Parking Policies Around Town
Raleigh Iron Works The City cited upcoming parking price hikes for RIW, but Grubb Ventures insists that’s not the case. The up-and-coming development offers free public parking in both retail surface lots and the garage—and “this is not set to change in the near future,” a spokesperson tells RM.
Village District Despite comments during the work session, the center says it has no plans to introduce paid parking. “Village District remains committed to offering parking at no cost and supporting a welcoming, accessible experience for everyone who visits,” GM Brooke Conn tells RM. Current measures include no overnight or student parking, two-hour limits at storefront spaces and requires patrons be on-site while parked.
North Hills The Midtown shopping center requires all vehicles to register to park via its Power Parking system in the North Hills Innovation District, the Bank of America Tower deck and Park District’s street-level parking. Failure to do so may result in a $35 fine. The policy includes three hours of free parking for patrons, easy paid extensions, as well as dedicated parking access for tenants, residents and employees.
Raleigh hospitality is heading beyond city limits as growth pushes outward.
The suburbs are calling—and Raleigh’s hospitality elite are answering. While the local dining scene has long been anchored Downtown, a growing cast of restaurateurs are looking outward, opening new concepts in the burbs as booming growth and lower costs reshape where—and how—people eat.
It’s a sign of the times—and mirrored across the region, from the housing patterns to restaurant openings—as affordability and interest rates push more residents toward surrounding towns. And restaurateurs are following suit.
Raleigh hospitality maven Scott Crawford tested the suburban waters with Crawford Cookshop in Clayton (since closed), before planting a bigger flag in Cary’s Fenton development with Crawford Brothers Steakhouse in 2024. Restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias brought Naōs Hellenic Cuisine to the growing suburb, while Bida Manda and Brewery Bhavana’s Lon Bounsanga also crossed lines to open SAAP in Cary.
“The reality is, for a lot of people, living in Raleigh isn’t financially smart,” says Chris Gass, who previously worked under Crawford before opening Bellow Butcher Co. last year in downtown Wendell with his wife, Lauren. The couple returned to their home state after leaving Nashville and found rent in Wendell to be more reasonable. “We didn’t have to pay anything until we opened,” he adds.
Gass saw the benefits of opening outside of the city from the jump, identifying that Wendell’s core demographic lined up with theirs—and the tight-knit community it offered. The eastern Wake County town is thriving, with new housing pursuits on deck and a planned $350 million work-stay-play project bringing apartments, retail, and industrial and flex space to the area—all just the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come.
But it’s that small-town feel that Gass credits most for Bellow’s early success. “The first month we had people coming in once, twice a week—people make it a point to work us into their rotation,” he says, noting Raleighites still make the trip out as well. “We’re able to cultivate relationships across the counter… and the community really lifts you up out here.”
Atlantic Prime Coastal Kitchen
Meanwhile, Nunzio Scordo, a fixture of the Raleigh restaurant scene (now-closed Driftwood Southern Kitchen and Driftwood Cantina, plus recently bowed Franko’s Prime) has long seen success on the outskirts of the city, having opened popular restaurants Atlantic Prime Coastal Kitchen and Franko’s Italian Steakhouse in Franklinton. Now, he’s setting his sights on Rolesville for Franko’s Trattoria, anticipated to open by the end of April.
“The cost of opening restaurants and doing business is less in these little towns,” he shares—plus “the need is there.” Rolesville is seeing similar momentum, with an up-and-coming mixed-use development serving up apartments; retail; and crowd-pleasing spots like Mezcalito, Lime & Lemon, and just-opened Jeff’s Bagel Run.
“Everyone is following this path because that’s where all the new building is, where all the new homes are going,” adds Scordo. To wit: “We’re doing the same amount of sales we’d be doing in the center of Raleigh.”
As Wake County’s population continues spreading outward, so too does its dining scene. Once considered an afterthought for ambitious up-and-comers, the burbs are quickly becoming Raleigh’s next restaurant frontier—proof that where people live, great food inevitably follows.
