RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills marks a major moment for Raleigh.
Chicago, Denver, LA, Munich, Madrid, NYC… Raleigh is joining the elite roster of cities housing a swanky RH gallery (formerly known as Restoration Hardware) experience.
Enter the highly anticipated innovative, immersive RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills, opening Nov. 1 in the former North Hills JCPenney space that “provided an ideal opportunity,” for the tremendous 60,000-plus-square-foot experience, says Kane Realty Corporation SVP and Director of Retail Leasing Steve Brown.
“RH is very methodical and extremely selective of where they open these stores,” Brown continues. “[They] knew North Hills is arguably the best market position for the store. … Many discerning and affluent customers consider [RH] best in class. Therefore, it sends a resounding message to other notable retail brands that Raleigh is a growing, vibrant and sophisticated market with well-traveled customers wanting higher-quality goods.”
More than just a gallery—and unlike anything Raleigh’s ever seen—the three-level interiors and multisensory experience blurs the lines between residential and retail, home and hospitality, indoors and outdoors.
Multilevel Experience
Level One: RH Interiors Level Two: RH Contemporary, RH Modern, RH Interior Design Studio Level Three: Rooftop restaurant & park, wine bar, RH Outdoor
Beyond an entry courtyard flanked by beautifully appointed loggias aglow with handcrafted Italian travertine fire tables, an epic experience awaits. Entree through 25-foot glass and steel doors reveals a central hall brimming with natural light and unobstructed views of lush immersive Euro-inspired courtyards and periphery-dotted rooms housing artistic installations featuring RH interiors—an homage to refined design across the ages and one-of-a-kind antiques from RH CEO Gary Friedman’s world travels.
Ascending a grand double-floating staircase illuminated with natural skylight and cast glass lattice chandeliers, an expansive exhibition space unfolds across a trio of experiences, including RH Contemporary and the brand’s newest and most compelling RH Modern. The constantly evolving collection highlights today’s most celebrated designers, visionary pieces and industry icons in a tribute to 20th century modernism via the largest assortment of modern furnishings, lighting, textiles and decor under one brand the world over.
Rounding out the midlevel, an interactive state-of-the-art atelier showcases designers in a highly styled floor-to-ceiling glass RH Interior Design Studio, complete with a private client presentation room. The floor also spotlights the brand’s exclusive rug collection, vast assortment of textiles, and furniture and lighting finishes.
Topping off the stunning culmination of concepts, atop the grand staircase flanked by a pair of monumental wall fountains is a rooftop restaurant that dishes the brand’s latest reimaginings. Set within a year-round skylit garden escape punctuated by sparkling chandeliers, faux olive trees and a cast-stone fountain, the space seamlessly unfurls into the immersive alfresco European-garden-influenced landscaped park. Also featuring intimate RH Outdoor Lounge spaces appointed with London Plane trees, shade canopies and sculptural evergreens, the alfresco attraction is ideal for sipping on the exceptional global wine and Champagne pours from the adjacent wine bar.
“We’ve been at this a long time,” says Friedman. “We opened our first restaurant in 2015, [and] we have 22 restaurants today. … In somewhere like Raleigh, we know the volume we do. We know when we open a new gallery what the lift is. … Almost every market [where] we’re opening these larger, more immersive, inspiring galleries, we have the data. It’s about understanding the math, connecting the dots, conceptualizing new and bigger and better versions of ourselves.”
There’s no doubt this version will set a new standard of luxury in Raleigh—and that its very existence signifies Raleigh has been bumped up to the big leagues. Never mind what the new arrival will mean for the future of North Hills: “The opening of an RH gallery at North Hills substantiates to other high-quality and luxury merchants how dynamic the property is,” Brown emphasizes. “That will equate to other brands wanting to be here.” Translation: Raleigh has arrived—in style. rh.com
Culinary marvel La Terrazza is opening May 1. Here, a first taste.
The Dillon rooftop dining is almost here—and by extension, with La Terrazza, Raleigh’s food and bev scene is reaching new heights… literally. Easily the most regal restaurant real estate to ever be realized in the City of Oaks, Samad Hachby’s long-awaited highly anticipated dining destination in the sky is officially opening at the upscale building’s rooftop May 1.
Serving up a spectacular experience from atop the ninth floor amid Raleigh’s skyline, “the terrace,” as the resto’s Italian name translates, promises a truly unparalleled yet approachable dining experience—an intent that was absolutely critical to Mulino mastermind Hachby.
First entry into the culinary marvel will no doubt spark a jaw-dropping “wow” thanks to the dining room’s gray and white-patterned Italian stone walls and floors, complemented by vibrant orange bar stools and chairs procured straight from Italy (think Marini tiles, Ciam bar, Perla furnishings). Once tucked in, the authentic and transportive fare will have you checking your location—while the impeccable service and alluring grand-scale atmosphere (and price point) make the space perfect for a special occasion or no occasion at all. Read: Even a random Wednesday—that approachable.
A project years in the making, Hachby’s grandiose yet welcoming rooftop renaissance is inspired by his and executive chef Jean Paul Fontaine’s travels and cultures. “The experiences we have been through—whether traveling, dining or working—have allowed us to have the vision necessary to produce menus and hospitality that are essential,” muses Fontaine, a four-decade hospitality industry veteran, most notably of Mulino. (And revolutionary—fun fact: The dynamic duo even installed a bonus pair of AI ovens straight out of your futuristic foodie fever dream.)
For his part, Hachby has long made travel his muse—known to draw the essence of those alluring and authentic spaces and flavor we savor from R&D out in the world. Hence, Mediterranean and Southern Italian offerings will reign supreme on La Terrazza’s menu, including a star-studded lineup of housemade fresh pasta dishes, pizzas, salads and proteins—plus appetizers like charcuterie, fritto misto, crudo, octopus and roasted cauliflower.
La Terrazza’s impassioned spirits program further accentuates its commitment as an approachable all-occasion destination. With two dedicated bars floating in the sky—an alfresco rooftop terrace and an interior bar amid floor-to-ceiling glass window surrounds—the space is intentionally designed to encourage patrons to stop in for a casual drink and/or snack, whether as the main event or before or after DTR dinner reservations.
And bringing the sparkle, the thoughtful Champagne program adds effervescence to the experience. Those bubbles—alongside a full wine and cocktail program—are a draw on their own, thanks to separate coolers for white, red and sparkling wines.
With that trifecta (food/bev, atmosphere, service), La Terrazza is poised to bring Raleigh’s F&B scene to new heights. “I am humbled,” maintains Fontaine. … “This opportunity is very similar to a blank canvas, which allows me to highlight my experience, as well as continue my culinary journey and the process of service, artistry and gratitude.” Consider Raleigh’s food and beverage bar raised. laterrazzaraleigh.com
The Dillon rooftop dining is here—and, with it, Raleigh has arrived.
Occupying that formidable slice of heaven Raleigh has lusted after for so long, the primo slice of restaurant real estate atop The Dillon is finally realized—and with it, Raleigh has arrived.
Long lacking the kind of destination dining that lights up the sky in culinary powerhouse metropolises like Manhattan, San Fran and Chicago, La Terrazza brings a level of gravitas to Raleigh’s hospitality scene the city has only dreamed of—until now.
Samad Hachby (photo by Jennifer Robertson Photogrpahy)
Launching us into the epicurean ether of possibility—elevated urban dining, Michelin-star ambitions, top-tier hospitalitarians—the Mediterranean-meets-Southern Italian concept masterminded by Raleighite Samad Hachby (of Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar fame) on the ninth floor of one of Raleigh’s most iconic towers may be authentically international—but it’s also intentionally local.
“I’m constantly inspired by visiting other places and bringing back the best of my experiences to share with our dining and special event guests right here in the heart of North Carolina,” says Hachby of implementing his travels to Italy’s Umbria region into his new Warehouse District concept.
That approach is precisely what makes Hachby the ideal fit for topping off The Dillon. It likely goes without saying Realty Corp. could have courted any top toque in the land (say Wolfgang Puck? José Andrés?) to helm such a coveted towering piece of real estate overlooking a city rapidly ascending into its own greatness—perennially topping “best places to live” lists and thereby attracting talent the country over.
But Hachby—and La Terrazza—are chosen by design. Playing the long game—from the jump, Kane intended the sort of grand-scale vision only a local hospitality titan like La Terrazza and its mastermind Hachby could serve so brilliantly. “We know La Terrazza will take the experience of The Dillon’s ninth-floor rooftop to new heights,” says Stacey Buescher, director of operations for Kane Realty Corp.
And before you write off this terrace (aka the moniker’s English translation) as an expensive “save for a special occasion” oasis—think again. Price point is very much front of mind for Hachby, who is committed to La Terrazza’s approachability and flexibility. As such, this little slice in the sky looks to disrupt your take on elevated dining by 86’ing the sticker shock—not unlike its sister concept Mulino has by serving up the option for some wine and pizza poolside sub-$50 (though, clearly, balling out is always an option).
Here, you can traipse up to the roof to take in some spirited sips and snacks among unparalleled vistas before or after some proximal plans or reservations, or tuck into the Garden Room for a more intimate dining experience. Which, ultimately, even more mirrors how those big-city culinary crown jewels unfold—aka layers and diversity and a mesh of winers and diners toasting every occasion and none at all.
For Hachby, Raleigh is home—and Terrazza only serves to elevate it. “I’m very fortunate to have made my home in Raleigh,” says the seasoned restaurateur, “and proud to be able to continue to add more opportunities for our guests to dine with us as the city grows into a truly world-class destination.” Now the only question is, what heights will Raleigh soar to next?
Courtesy of Kane Realty Co.
Urban Dining Know How to Go An event of epic scale, dining at La Terrazza will be a bit of a journey for Raleigh diners less familiar with urban tower concepts—from where to park to powder rooms. But that fact is precisely the draw, and precisely why you gravitate to NYC, DC or LA just for a culinary venture.
Parking: Roll up to the ground-floor Dillon parking deck for easy access out of the elements, or luck up with street parking.
Entry: Fulfill that big-city vibe with Warehouse District views as you ride the glass elevator up nine floors.
Powder rooms: Spoiler alert: Should you wish to powder your nose, you’ll need to exit the restaurant to use The Dillon’s same-floor bathrooms down the hall—not unlike what you’d do at a fancy Manhattan dining destination.
Public access: No reservation needed to imbibe and vibe—the outdoor bar will be open to the public for stellar sips and views.
Subscribe to our free newsletter and follow us on Insta @raleighmagazine for exclusive updates on La Terrazza’s open date, menu sneaks and more.
The 411 on a multitude of Raleigh projects taking shape.
There’s no doubt about it: Raleigh is on the rise. The City of Oaks was named one of the top 25 fastest growing places in the U.S. in 2023, coming as no shock to any local who has spotted the scad of construction projects popping up left and right around town.
The burgeoning developments are poised to benefit all—from one-of-a-kind office spaces to a public transit update coming down the pipeline (crappy commutes, no more?!). Here, we delve into projects coming out of the ground now or slated to break ground soon. Look at you grow, Raleigh!
Keep your eyes to the skies as a new high-rise is coming to Downtown. The 17-story tower sitting at the corner of Hargett and McDowell streets (aka the previous RPD HQ site, defunct since 2010) aims to align facilities, staff and technology with organizational needs and establish a centralized campus for city staff and citizens alike. As part of the Percent for Art program, 1% of the planned budget is eligible to be used for public art for the structure.
Current status: The construction crew is continuing to destroy sections of the building and sort debris, with a completion date TBD.
Current status: Construction is underway for Oberlin Hotel, with an anticipated 2024 opening; and Camden Village District is slated to be move-in ready by fall 2024.
Oberlin Hotel | Rendering courtesy of Quality Oil Company LLC/Quality Hospitality
Big things are on the horizon for North Hills. The area’s newest sector spans 33 acres across central Midtown (and stacks up to the tune of $1 billion) with infrastructure geared toward preserving green space and bolstering local businesses. One high-rise making its debut is the 17-story Tower 5, boasting 322,000 square feet of office space, common areas and ground-level retailers—including indoor cycling studio HomeTurf. And when it comes to residential and retail spaces, the district doesn’t lack. Find in-the-works St. Albans Lofts gearing up to offer high-class living spaces, and Makers Alley, the district’s micro-retail shopping area located under the Channel House apartments, hosting seven local and female- or minority-owned storefronts opening in the coming months. Tributary, a mix-used complex named for the adjacent creek, is also shaping up to benefit small business owners with the addition of “live-work” units, where they can open up on the ground level and live directly above.
Current status: Tower 5 construction is well underway and slated to be completed by summer 2024; St. Albans Lofts are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025; and Makers Alley will open seven storefronts this spring. Tributary is scheduled to begin construction mid-2024.
Bus Rapid Transit
Raleigh is growing and going. Bus Rapid Transit is cruising to Wake Co. with fast, reliable and frequent transit—not to mention ~20 miles of routes along main corridors. What’s more, planning and design for the New Bern Corridor, which will connect DTR to WakeMed and New Hope Road, has been completed and construction is set to break ground in mid-2024 after a public preconstruction meeting is held.
The Southern Corridor, set to link Raleigh and Garner; and the Western Corridor, connecting Raleigh and Cary, are still in the preliminary design process—read: finishing 30% of the final product design. The Northern Corridor, which will bridge Downtown Raleigh and North Raleigh is still in the planning stages. Note: Don’t sell your car for parts just yet—the project isn’t expected to be fully up and running until 2035.
As Raleigh rapidly grows upward, will we be ready when the next fire ignites?
Seven years ago, a fire raged in Downtown Raleigh, burning the construction site of The Metropolitan Apartments to the ground and damaging 10 other buildings. The five-alarm fire—which persisted late into the night—was the biggest in Raleigh in almost 100 years.
Nash Square’s Fire Station 1 (South Dawson Street) played a direct role in extinguishing the flames, working swiftly to ensure no one was injured or killed—and RFD was later applauded by the city for its efforts.
But in the aftermath of those heroic measures, the blaze resulted in a devastating $50 million in damage to infrastructure and proximal businesses—not to mention lingering effects on their livelihood. Smoky Hollow’s Clouds Brewing and Little City Brewing, for example, incurred significant interruption and financial devastation as shutdown streets brought business to a grinding halt, impacting ease of access to the popular destinations for months.
Since that harrowing conflagration in March 2017, Raleigh’s rising skyline is all but unrecognizable, with a plethora of towers since joining the horizon—and many more in development, specifically in Downtown and Midtown. For its part, the latter had only three high-rises of 10 stories or more that spring (Bank of America, Captrust and Midtown Plaza), with four more erected since and two in progress.
Disaster was curbed at The Metropolitan because Raleigh fire personnel were at the ready—organized and well-equipped. But the proliferation of high-rises begs the question: What happens when the next fire burns? Is Raleigh ready?
Safety Standards
Fire safety standards are set forth by the National Fire Protection Association, which establishes a goal emergency response time of 320 seconds (aka 5.33 minutes). The NFPA breaks that goal time into an 80-second turnout and 240-second travel increments. This requirement serves to provide effective and efficient protective services and reduce the risk to life and property.
Raleigh Fire Apparatus
All 28 fire stations in Raleigh have at least one pumper truck capable of pumping at least 750 gallons per minute and several stations house battalion SUVs, cargo trailers and ATVs to boot.
Translation: The city’s fire apparatus is comparable to other sister cities of similar size—think Richmond, Austin and Nashville, which boast ladder trucks ranging from 100 to 110 feet tall. Larger cities such as New York and Miami house ladder trucks reaching similar heights, with Chicago able to reach 137 feet. Raleigh Assistant Fire Chief of Professional Development Ian Toms explains an 110-foot ladder is standard and works as an aerial streaming device to allow firefighters to dump a couple thousand gallons of water onto a building in an efficient manner.
Across Raleigh, top resources—including the most sizable stations and ladder trucks—are purposefully positioned in the most densely populated areas or in districts with concentrated infrastructure. “We’ve got nine ladders in the city right now and a 10th one on the way, and, with all the development, we are asking for more.” says Toms. “The 10th will generally be in the southeast area of Raleigh because that’s where this massive push is now.”
Nash Square’s Fire Station 1 is well-equipped to serve the Downtown area—as clearly evidenced by its response to The Metropolitan Apartments. Brier Creek’s Station 24 is able to serve The Westin and RDU via its on-hand 105-foot aerial ladder. And the Station 14(Harden Road) is a quick call from the well-populated Blue Ridge Corridor, including UNC Rex Hospital, PNC Arena and Carter-Finley Stadium, equipped with a ladder truck, various vehicles and a mini-pumper (a smaller, less expensive pump truck that can pump at least 250 gallons per minute).
Centered in Midtown adjacent to Carroll Middle School, Station 9 (Rowan and Six Forks) serves an area that has arguably seen more upward—and outward—expansion than any single district in Raleigh since 2017, including the ascension of The Cardinal East Tower, the Advance Auto Parts Tower and—Raleigh’s third tallest building at 36 stories—The Eastern. Housing a pump truck and a Battalion Chief’s vehicle, Station 9 is ideally positioned to respond to any proximal emergency.
“Are we short ladder companies? Yes. Are we short personnel? Yes. The chief right now is advocating for us on that behalf.”
— Ian Toms, Assistant Fire Chief of Professional Development
The Station 9 Shortcoming
Between locations and resources, RFD stations are, with one exception, equipped to reach any rescue needs well under that benchmark 320-second goal established by the NFPA. The city’s only potential vulnerable spot is North Hills—which doesn’t house an aerial ladder truck, nor the space to store one in-station.
According to a firefighter at Midtown’s Station 9 we spoke to about the matter, any necessary ladder support must come from sister Station 4 (near Sawmill and Six Forks roads), where the closest aerial ladder sits, 3.5 miles north. Last paced in 2022, that route records a time of 380 to 480 seconds from North Hills—clearly exceeding the standards set by NFPA. Thus, with continued growth and taller infrastructure, the question of needing a ladder truck at Station 9 is no longer a matter of if, but when. According to Toms, the station isn’t currently set for a ladder truck—nor the station expansion necessary to house it.
Rezoning Rescues
The need to adjust apparatus to accommodate our city’s rapid growth is well-documented. In 2022, Kane Realty asked Raleigh City Council to rezone part of its North Hills properties to adjust the allowed 12-story towers to 37 stories. Among other concessions, the proposal included land for a larger building for Station 9, which would have provided room for a ladder truck appropriate to tackle the building heights at North Hills. City Council voted against the proposal, killing the immediate opportunity for a larger station.
So where does that leave us? According to Toms, “Everything we have now from the ladder perspective is state-of-the-art. … Are we short ladder companies? Yes. Are we short personnel? Yes. The chief right now is advocating for us on that behalf.” So, until new equipment is acquired, the city must make do with the apparatus we have.
Dec. 15, 1851
An apartment fire burned for 2 1/2 hours, leading to the destruction of 17 wooden buildings on Fayetteville, Hargett and Wilmington streets. The city’s first fire department was created as a response.
Nov. 6, 1915
Five buildings on Martin Street were destroyed in a printing shop fire, with embers lighting 10 additional fires in the area.
April 10, 1926
A fire in Dorothea Dix Hospital’s West Wing led to the evacuation of 1,000 patients.
July 3, 1928
Once “the social center of the capital,” the Yarbough Hotel was almost completely destroyed in a fire started in the elevator shaft that burned for ~five hours.
July 7, 1981
In what is considered one of the worst fires in Raleigh’s modern history, the Mangel’s Building on Fayetteville Street burned for three hours as 100+ firefighters from every department in the city battled the blaze.
Dec. 20, 1992
The contents and structure of the IGA Grocery Store on North Person Street were completely lost to a fire beginning in the ceiling of the building.
Feb. 22, 2007
A lazily discarded cigarette resulted in ablaze pine straw, effectually destroying two dozen townhomes in Pine Knoll Townes in North Raleigh.
March 16, 2017
Starting at the construction site of The Metropolitan Apartments, Raleigh’s biggest fire in almost 100 years burned through the night, shooting flames 200 feet in the air and destroying a construction crane. The Quorum Center, Link Apartments and nine other nearby buildings were damaged, leaving hundreds in temporary housing.
