A host of new F&B hot spots are set to join The Exchange.
From the jump, Dewitt Carolinas set out to make The Exchange Raleigh more than just another mixed-use development—the goal was to raise the bar for the city’s hospitality scene. Steering clear of the typical retail-heavy model, the developer instead doubled down on a F&B-first approach, debuting flagship restaurant Peregrine and a mod The Optimist cafe outpost to instant buzz.
“It’s great to work with Todd Saieed and Ven Poole at Dewitt because they have such a vision for what this development can be,” says Peregrine co-owner Patrick Shanahan, who’s set to open Capulet Cocktail Club at The Exchange this month. “I’m hearing what’s coming and I just want to be a part of that and help develop what this little section of Raleigh could be like.”
Now, a fresh wave of bars and eateries are leveling up the 40-acre Midtown destination—and cementing The Exchange as an all-day hub for standout food and drinks. “We’re thrilled to see the first phase of this vision coming to life in really exciting ways,” says Dewitt President Steven Beattie. “We’ve created an ecosystem where each concept complements the others and provides something for everyone at all parts of the day and night.” Here, we dig into what’s coming.
TOASTIQUE
The Exchange’s latest opening at 1000 Social caters to the morning and midday crowd with a healthy dose of wholesome eats made from fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. A smattering of gourmet toasts (see: avocado, smoked salmon, Greek and tomato burrata), smoothies and smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices, housemade treats, and a full espresso menu make for a nourishing brunch, grab-and-go treat, or quick midday snack for locals, professionals and visitors alike. Guilt-free mealtime? Say less. toastique.com
CAPULET COCKTAIL CLUB
Wherefore art though Romeo? In Raleigh, natch. An ode to Romeo and Juliet’s Juliet Capulet, local hospitality vet Patrick Shanahan’s romanticized “House of Capulet” cocktail bar—debuting this month beside Peregrine—fuses Ancient Rome and modern disco a la a deep red-tiled double horseshoe bar beneath a soaring ~30-foot dome, rich jewel tones, velvet curtains, and antiques throughout. Out front, a lush courtyard complete with flowing fountains, Roman sculptures and its own bar set the scene for late-night lingerers. The result: a sultry Italian getaway sans plane ticket. Ciao, bella! @capuletcocktailclub
PRANZO
Lafayette Village mainstay Bongiorno & Son is debuting a brand-new concept off the 1000 Social lobby early next year to satiate both the lunch slump and post-work aperitivo scene. Ditching the deli angle, Pranzo—which fittingly translates to “lunch”—will feat. Italian-style sandwiches (expect Bongiorno faves like the Italian, prosciutto, and hot soppressata sandos) and salads, plus grab-and-go cases with frozen items and the like. Come 5pm, the spot will shift to an aperitivo-style menu of small plates—think charcuterie, bruschetta, flatbreads, and prosciutto and melon—paired with wine, beer and spritzes. Call it snacking at its finest. pranzoraleigh.com
MEZCALITO
Where queso flows, tacos reign and the margs pour freely, the regional Tex-Mex fave is taking NC by storm with its seventh spot set to open at 1000 Social by early next year. Expect vibrant decor, upbeat vibes and those signature oversize margs that make every meal feel like a party. And the flavor-packed authentic-meets-fresh takes come in spades—ceviche, ACP, chilaquiles, burritos, fajitas and more. Taco ’bout a bold (and delicious) addition. mezcalitogrill.com
Slated to break ground next year and deliver in 2027, the full-on athletic resort is not just “like having apartments over retail,” maintains Dewitt Carolinas Executive VP Steven Beattie—“it’s much more intricate than that.” Think a three-level 80,000-square-foot luxury Life Time Athletic Club, almost an acre-size amenity deck (one of the largest in NC) and 270 branded multifamily living units—to name just a few highlights.
“It is really set up so, if you’re working from home, you literally don’t have to leave this space,” maintains Beattie. He envisions a day-in-the-life of a resident remote worker as, say, waking up, hitting a workout at the athletic club (solo or with a trainer), getting a smoothie from the Life Time Cafe, dropping off kids at the day care, then grinding it out in one of the coworking spaces.
“It’s the differentiator we were looking for as our first multifamily concept here in Raleigh,” ,” adds Beattie—“something that goes beyond a quartz countertop and a nice clubroom. What can we do to deliver a product that aligns with the brand of The Exchange and something that Raleigh has never seen before? This is something that defines a lifestyle, not just a place where you live. … It really is an all-encompassing healthy way of living.”
The integrated Life Time project has been highly successful in only four other markets: Boston; Coral Gables, Florida; Las Vegas; and Stamford, Connecticut—with Raleigh being just one of a few future locations in the works.
“I’m glad they chose Raleigh; we think it’ll be well-received here,” Beattie says of the highly anticipated development, which will join The Exchange’s existing 1000 Social office tower. “Some of those other markets… they are huge metros. The fact they put Raleigh as the next flag they want to build is great.”
In order to better showcase the full range of the Life Time athletic club/residential offerings, The Exchange created a detailed stacking plan that shows exactly what each floor of the building will contain. Below, what to expect as the future of how developments can be reimagined unfolds. theexchangeraleigh.com
700-space dedicated parking deck for residents/club members—“above and beyond what the market provides for luxury spaces,” emphasizes Beattie
~1-acre amenity deck feat. two pools, cabanas, pickleball courts & a bistro catered to afternoon cocktails
LEVEL 1 – Life Time club feat. spa, locker rooms, residential/club lobby and concierge, plus open-to-the-public sit-down Life Time Cafe dishing breakfast, lunch and dinner with such healthy ops as nutritious shakes, smoothies, avocado toast, sandwiches, salads, bowls, snacks & full barista
LEVEL 2 – Life Time club offering cardio equipment, free weights, resistance-training, and stretching & recovery areas; plus personal training
LEVEL 3 – Life Time club feat. coworking lounge, child care, plus group fitness rooms with dedicated classes for Pilates, yoga, cycling, Barre, etc.
LEVEL 4: Live Time Living residents’ amenities spaces including clubroom & kitchen, dedicated coworking space, and private roof terrace
LEVELS 5–18: Luxury studio, 1- & 2-bedroom units with the likes of rain showers + separate soaking tubs, floating vanities, gas ranges and center island in the kitchen, built-in drop zones & work stations
LEVEL 19: Penthouses + indoor/outdoor sky lounge with two balconies—one more intimate & the other designed for groups a la sunset cocktail lounge feat. transparent fireplace and soft living room seating + a catering kitchen overlooking The Exchange’s central park
Award-winning duo opening premiere restaurant at The Exchange
Raleigh’s hottest development just upped its cool factor. The Exchange is cashing in on its candid commitment to food and bev with the announcement of its first restaurant from two local industry VIPs—2021 NCRLA Chef of the Year Saif Rahman, and Watts & Ward and The Ark Royal co-owner and screenwriter Patrick Shanahan.
“The marriage of these two creative minds is going to bring a new fine-dining staple to the Raleigh community,” says Dewitt Carolinas Executive VP Steven Beattie, “which I hope is the first of many at The Exchange.” From its inception, Dewitt has been focused first and foremost on its MO as a heightened food-and-beverage destination—rather than retail—with this culinary concept the first feather in its cap.
Initially meeting to vet mutual pursuits—Shanahan, for a cocktail space; Dewitt, for its premiere hospitality partner—the now-collaborators hit it off. But Dewitt maintained its devotion to a restaurant—and so Shanahan embarked on his quest for the right chef.
Naturally, Shanahan turned to Elm Partners, who intro’d him to former Vidrio standout Rahman—and a perfect pairing was born. The duo—now co-founders of S&P Hospitality—instantly connected over shared values, which also aligned with Dewitt’s. “What I love about the [Dewitt] team is it’s really grassroots,” says Shanahan. “They really were eager to get local talent. … It hasn’t really felt like business, [but] like we’ve been welcomed into a family.”
Call it a mutual admiration society. “Saif has always delivered an amazing culinary experience, while Patrick has a unique talent for creating spaces and experiences that make you forget you’re in Raleigh,” says Beattie. “You can see they share a joy in creating phenomenal experiences that celebrate and elevate food and hospitality—two local masters of their craft joining forces.”
Borrowing from Rahman’s rich ancestry as muse, the pair’s yet-to-be-named “American” venture is anticipated to bow this fall—and not at all what likely comes to mind when you think of American fare. So, less burgers and fries and more drawing inspo from cultures the world over that comprise American—and Southern—cuisine as we know it.
“We’re really going to dive into a lot of the different cultures Saif has been exploring, testing and workshopping over his entire career to bring a whole melting pot of flavor into this experience—a transportive experience where you feel like you walked out of Raleigh and ended up all over the world,” says Shanahan. “You can really explore the world through our menu in a night.”
Naturally, good ’ole Southern hospitality—at a heightened level—will be a prominent fixture to boot. “Really our goal is to bring true hospitality back to the South,” maintains Shanahan, by treating the guests in such a way they can “really relax and feel like they left Raleigh and all their worries behind.” And, so, a world of new experiences awaits.
Consider Saif Rahman & Patrick Shanahan’s upcoming restaurant a game changer for The Exchange—and for Raleigh. (Photo courtesy of Shanahan)
Dewitt Carolinas announces new Life Time tower at The Exchange.
Just when you thought The Exchange Raleigh couldn’t get any cooler, the upcoming Midtown development recently announced plans for a premier Life Time athletic country club and Life Time Living residences for Phase Two. The project includes an 80,000-square-foot, three-level luxury Life Time—including a 35,000-square- foot rooftop beach club (!)—along with a Life Time Living tower featuring luxury multifamily apartments, plus work-from-home and lounge spaces, outdoor amenities, and a golf simulator room.
Life Time members will have access to classes like Barre, cycling, HIIT, Pilates, strength training and yoga, as well as a coworking lounge, full-service LifeCafe and more.
“Rising at the east end of The Exchange’s park, Life Time Living embodies everything we’re working for at The Exchange, with wellness-focused luxury amenities designed to elevate and enhance the lives of community members and residents,” says Dewitt Carolinas Executive VP Steven Beattie. Both projects are slated to break ground later this year, with a projected early 2027 debut. theexchangeraleigh.com
