Move over Fayetteville Street—Midtown could be Raleigh’s first social district.
In the words of Natasha Bedingfield, we’re “so close you can almost taste it.” … “It” being the refreshing mixed drink or beer you’ll be sipping as you mill around Raleigh’s first social district. The question yet to be answered though is: Where will that social district be?
ICYMI, back in September, Gov. Roy Cooper signed House Bill 890 into law, making it legal for cities and counties to create social districts as of Oct. 1. Now, the city attorney is working to hammer out the details of what one in Raleigh would require—and, once decided, the city will begin the process of choosing a location.
So far, several ideas have been raised. City Council, for example, is discussing the possibility of Fayetteville Street in its Economic Development & Innovation Committee.
“Other cities have their social districts up and running. I think the biggest one is Greensboro,” says Council Member Jonathan Melton, who chairs the committee. “It’s really just people walking around on a Saturday with a glass of wine or a beer, going into a store, sitting on a bench… and so that’s sort of the environment I hope that we’re able to cultivate—some vibrancy, some support for the small businesses along that corridor, and just an atmosphere of folks wanting to get together safely and enjoy the city.”
While Fayetteville Street could be a great start, it will be challenging to approve because several landlords will have to buy in on the idea, a reality that has given other districts with a single landlord—like Smoky Hollow and North Hills (owned by Kane Realty Corporation)—the inkling they could be the premiere social district. Glenwood South is also vying for that distinction.
And while we don’t have an (Ever)clear view of the future, rest assured, we will all soon be raising our booze-filled, appropriately marked to-go containers to the opening of Raleigh’s first social district. Cheers to that!
Kane Realty Corporation’s big plans for South Raleigh are everywhere (so no doubt you’ve seen the impressive renderings), but we’d be remiss not to mention the news. ICYMI, designs are for not one, but three new vertical projects—two of which are the first in Downtown South—within Raleigh’s Southern Gateway that will help expand the City of Oaks to the south.
“The opportunity for Kane to help define Downtown Raleigh’s Southern Gateway through our work along South Saunders Street is invigorating,” says Kane Director of Design Josie Reeves. “We’re excited to work with the community to bring much-needed amenities—from dining- and entertainment-based options to everyday necessities like groceries and pharmacies—to the South Raleigh community in the form of walkable, mixed-use projects.”
The first, Park City South, is a 9.7-acre multiphase development directly adjacent to Dorothea Dix Park that is expected to break ground by the end of the year. Phase 1 will offer ground-level retail, midrise apartments (with uberappealing amenities like a full spa and rooftop lounge), and flex office space, while future phases will include high-rise residential and office space with more ground-level retail and structured parking. Located directly on the Capital Greenway System, Park City South will also feature an enhanced stretch of Greenway trail with a new bridge linking it to Rocky Branch Creek—allowing those walking the existing Greenway and visiting Dix Park to access the ground-floor retail.
The other two projects Kane has in the works are part of the $2.2 billion pro soccer stadium-anchored Downtown South development—first proposed in 2020—one of which will be Raleigh’s premiere mass timber construction building, offering a more sustainable alternative to carbon or steel. A collaboration with Durham-based DUDA|PAINE Architects, the office building will boast six levels of work space, shared and private terraces, and amenities such as a collaborative work lounge and conference rooms.
A second mixed-use building planned for Downtown South (renderings are not yet available) will tout ground-level retail; a fully integrated structured parking deck; studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments—plus two terraces and a rooftop lounge. Construction is anticipated to begin on both of the announced Downtown South projects in Q3 of 2022—finally setting the highly anticipated development into motion.
WEB EXCLUSIVEThe California-based biopharmaceutical company’s expansion to North Hills will add more than 300 jobs to the Raleigh-Durham community.
Leading California-based biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences is setting up shop at North Hills’ Midtown Plaza, adding more than 300 jobs to the Raleigh-Durham community.
The company, which worked to develop treatment options for patients suffering from COVID-19 (receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the antiviral drug Veklury, aka remdesivir, in October 2020 for the treatment of COVID patients requiring hospitalization), will be moving into three floors of the 330,000-square-foot office tower just a short walk from the new North Hills Innovation District.
“When the Kane Realty team developed plans for the Innovation District, we hoped to attract forward-thinking, innovative companies to North Hills,” says Kane Realty CEO John Kane. “That’s exactly what we found with Gilead Sciences, a revolutionary biopharmaceutical company that is working to improve public health day in and day out. We hope Gilead employees will enjoy the opportunity to work, live, socialize and spend time outdoors at North Hills.”
Beginning in November, Gilead Sciences’ expansion to North Hills will add jobs in fields like human resources, finance and information technology. And all of these employees will be able to enjoy North Hills’ many amenities, from bars and restaurants to apartments and hotels to gathering spaces, venues, shops and other conveniences. Not to mention all the exciting new experiences that will come with the $1 billion new multiphase North Hills Innovation District, which is currently underway.
Adds Bailey Jones, head of acquisitions for Lionstone Investments, “Attracting a tenant like Gilead Sciences to North Hills reinforces Lionstone’s conviction that exceptional mixed-use projects in the best locations have enduring value.”
WEB EXCLUSIVE North Hills is getting a huge makeover. Kane Realty Corporation released plans for a mixed-use revitalization project in North Hills Main District, which will include a 12-story high-rise residential building, 346,000 square feet of office space and 100,000 square feet of ground floor retail.
The master plan, drew up by Ci Design of Baltimore, features outdoor gathering spaces such as an active public plaza with a concierge center and event space, an expanded parking deck and improved access for cars, pedestrians, bikes and scooters to explore all of North Hills’ shops, restaurants, venues and community spaces. Kallie Walker, senior development manager for Kane Realty Corporation, says that one of the highlights of the project is to replace underutilized parking areas and replace them with a “more efficient and thoughtful use of space.”
“This is precisely how successful smart cities are growing today,” Walker adds. “And we are excited about what this means for the future of North Hills and all of Raleigh.”
One North Hills Tower
NHX Creative Office
Two office projects are also included in Kane’s North Hills revitalization project. One North Hills will be a 10-story tower designed by Durham’s Duda|Paine and will be one of Raleigh’s first post-COVID offices designed with touchless access points, enhanced air filtration and a 6,000-square-foot outdoor work space. NHX will be a five-story office creative office building designed by Ci Design that features flexible layout options, a walk bridge connection and a rooftop terrace. Both office spaces will include retail at the street level.
The Main District project’s 287-unit residential unit will offer both one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for rent. The apartment building, designed by Cline Design Associates, includes amenities such as a coworking lounge, eighth-floor deck with fire pits, second-floor pool deck and an indoor/outdoor fitness center.
Additionally, North Hills Main District will get Raleigh’s first Restoration Hardware gallery, dubbed RH Raleigh. A glass-encased rooftop restaurant and barista and wine bar that open onto a scenic park are highlights of the three-level indoor/outdoor gallery.
North Hills Main District street view
Sean Hill, senior construction manager for Kane Realty Corporation, says that they are working with the City of Raleigh and their tenants to ensure any disturbances from construction are as mitigated as possibly, given the scale of construction that the project calls for. “We are excited for the North Hills Main District project and what it will bring to the North Hills community as a whole,” Hill says. “We look forward to sharing our comprehensive plan with our tenants and the surrounding community once it has been finalized.”
Construction is set to begin in early 2021 with an opening date of summer 2023.
Publix, what will be downtown Raleigh’s first large-scale grocery store, opens tomorrow in Smoky Hollow at 417 West Peace Street. Publix at Peace will offer all the standard departments of Publix locations around the country, including a Publix deli, scratch bakery, full-service meat and seafood department, pharmacy and grocery delivery powered by Instacart, plus additional features unique to its downtown Raleigh location. We asked Kimberly Reynolds, the community relations manager for Publix Super Markets, and Kallie Walker, a development manager at Kane Realty Corporation, about how to best navigate the grocery store and take advantage of all of the unique offerings.
Where is the main entrance?
The main entrance is located along Peace Street and pedestrians can easily access it directly from the corners of Peace and West Street.
Where do customers park?
Publix at Peace will have a designated parking deck below the store—at street level—for shoppers to access from Harrington and Peace Streets. Use the elevator or stairs to get into the store from the deck.
Regarding the store layout, is the store spread across two levels? Do shoppers use an elevator or escalator inside the store?
The store is on a single level located directly above the parking deck.
What are some special features of this downtown Raleigh location?
The Raleigh Publix will feature a deli with plenty of made-to-order options including sub sandwiches and hot foods such as chicken tenders and wings, plus grab-and-go soups, salads, snacks and drinks.
Reynolds suggests you try Publix’s famous Pub Sub, made with freshly baked bread straight from the bakery and customizable with an array of toppings, including Boar’s Head meats and cheeses.
Additionally, the Chef Selections allow customers to choose from a variety of chef-inspired appetizers, entrees and side dishes prepared and prepackaged fresh in store, making for an easy last-minute lunch or dinner.
Seafood Cook-In-Bags are another unique feature. Choose your fish—options range from tilapia to salmon to cod—and flavor, then cook the fish in the oven for 11 to 20 minutes.
Floral arrangements and specialty meats and cheeses will also be available at this location.
Will you feature local products like NC beer, cheese and produce?
You’ll find seasonal North Carolina fruits and vegetables from local farms in the produce section and other local items throughout the store, including craft beers. Just look for the North Carolina Local sign.
Is curbside pickup and online ordering available as well?
Publix at Peace will offer grocery delivery powered by Instacart and in-store pickup for Publix cakes, platters, subs, sliced meats and cheese and a selection of prepared meals. As of right now, curbside is not currently offered at the Raleigh location.
Is there a dine-in area?
There is cafe seating inside the store and outdoor seating in the plaza along Peace Street, just outside the store entrance.
Is there an in-store coffee shop?
Publix offers complimentary coffee to shoppers outside of pandemic times but this location will not feature a Publix Cafe coffee shop.
What does the pharmacy offer?
Publix pharmacies cover certain antibiotics and medications for free as long as you have a prescription from your doctor—there will be no cost to you or your insurance company. The pharmacy will also offer flu shots.
How can customers save on groceries?
Look for the weekly buy one, get one free items throughout the store and at the end of the aisles. To get a jump start on savings, activate a Club Publix account to view weekly ads a day ahead.
What COVID-19 safety and health precautions is Publix at Peace taking?
Publix requires all employees and guests to wear masks in its stores. Additional coronavirus-related FAQs can be found here.
