Feast your eyes on a first look at conceptual renderings of Village District’s fast-upcoming Oberlin Hotel, slated to bow as early as late 2025. At once realizing the district’s 18-hour-destination MO and adding to DTR’s booming hotel scene, Hilton’s second NC Curio Collection hotel “fills a long-standing need for lodging in Raleigh’s central hub,” says Brooke Conn, GM of Village District owner Regency Centers.
With proximity to universities, businesses and entertainment, the unique boutique grab will feature 150+ well-appointed guest rooms, a market-style open-to-the-public cafe dishing breakfast, a spacious lounge and full cocktail bar, a large outdoor courtyard with a covered patio, and more.
All told, “this premium addition enhances the area while preserving the charm that defines Village District,” adds Conn. “We’re excited to see this addition fuel the area’s continued growth!”
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.
A trio of high-end hotels serves as a harbinger for Raleigh’s escalating rank as a top U.S. destination—for tourists, business travelers and locals alike.
A mere six years ago, Raleigh was void of the kind of high-end hotels that decorate—and define—such urban destinations as Atlanta and Chicago. But the tide is changing. Adding to the boutique birth beginning circa 2018 of such vibey resting spots as Guest House, The Casso, Longleaf Hotel and AC Hotel locales is a new wave of luxe lodgings well positioned for our booming tourism. In 2022, 17.8 million visitors flocked to our capital city—a ~13% leap over the year prior—and spent $3 billion, a near return to prepandemic levels.
With all eyes on Raleigh—from topping perennial Best Place to Live charts to drawing the likes of Apple and VinFast to scoring such globally reaching events as the massively successful Stadium Series—the hospitality industry is responding and upping our city’s appeal with a trio of luxe high-end hotels set to bow beginning in first quarter 2024.
Slated to open first is one of Hilton’s newest and most innovative lifestyle brands, the thoughtfully designed Tempo by Hilton Raleigh Downtown, only its second U.S. outpost. “We couldn’t have chosen a better city than Raleigh for the brand’s second locale,” says Seraj Patel, VP of Greensboro-based CN Hotels, which owns the property.
“Raleigh has garnered an impressive list of accolades in recent years, including being named one of the top three hottest job markets in America by The Wall Street Journal, as well as one of the biggest boomtowns in America,” he adds. “We are excited to add to the city’s growth and build on that reputation by bringing a new, stylish and contemporary lifestyle hotel to the Downtown area.”
Elevating the allure with the Triangle’s tallest lounge and bar, Urban Oak promises to please the palate, while a lobby cafe will keep travelers grounded—from breakfast and coffee to spirited and zero-proof evening cocktails and small plates.
And adding to the rest-and-rejuvenate DTR roster, highly esteemed global boutique hotel brand Kimpton, known for its sophisticated mod art deco-meets-classic luxe design, is slated to bow in late 2025, marking the brand’s fourth NC property. Part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle Collection portfolio and owned by Tidal Real Estate Partners, the vibey stayover spaces will span the first six floors of a 20-story mixed-use building that will include high-end residences and replace the historic-yet-infamous (read: iconic but not ideal to maneuver) round Holiday Inn on Hillsborough Street.
“We’ve had great success with our Kimptons in North Carolina,” says Mike DeFrino, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ CEO, “and we look forward to offering Raleigh as a new destination in our portfolio. We think our design-led brand and welcoming, innovative restaurants and bars will really resonate with the city’s locals and visitors alike.”
From retreat to revive, the luxe accommodations will be accompanied by three unique restaurant and bar concepts, including a rooftop bar and lounge. “Downtown Raleigh has long awaited a luxury hotel experience like Kimpton delivers,” adds Mick Walsdorf, CEO of Tidal Real Estate Partners. “The amenities, restaurants and event spaces will raise the bar for hotel properties in Downtown and establish the Kimpton as a sought-after destination. Our continued investments in Downtown Raleigh reflects our confidence and commitment to this market.”
Rounding out the trio is the area’s first Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel grab: Oberlin Hotel, which broke ground this summer. Leaning into the brand’s MO of boasting a global portfolio of handpicked hotels “for the curious,” with “no two Curio experiences the same,” the hotel is uniquely Raleigh. Situated in the now-defunct K&W locale, family-owned Winston-Salem-based Quality Oil Company LLC’s unique boutique concept at once takes Raleigh’s sojourn selects next level while upping Village District’s hip factor via its first hotel.
Slated for 2025 completion and standing seven stories, the Oberlin serves up 153 well-appointed guest rooms, including presidential suites. Guests and locals alike can sate morning-to-night cravings via a lobby-level market-style cafe dishing breakfast, plus a spacious lounge and full cocktail bar. Or take to the large courtyard, complete with a covered patio featuring a soundstage for live tunes, beverage service and event catering. And taking the experience to new heights, a signature high-end restaurant and rooftop bar, also open to the public, will showcase spectacular DTR vistas.
“Oberlin Hotel’s arrival to Village District is not only a great addition to our existing lineup, but also an overall benefit to the corridor,” said Chris Widmayer, senior VP of investments at Regency Centers. “This center is the beating heart of the market and now has a fantastic overnight option that helps make Village District a true 18-hour destination.”
Tempo by Hilton Raleigh Downtown | 260 W. Davie St.
126 rooms
Dual-brand Homewood, 134 suites with kitchen, totaling 260 rooms
Peloton-equipped wellness rooms
Lobby cafe
Urban Oak rooftop bar & restaurant
The Oberlin | Village District
153 guest rooms
Presidential suites
Courtyard with soundstage
Cafe, cocktail bar & meeting spaces
Rooftop bar & restaurant
Kimpton | 320 Hillsborough St.
179 guest rooms
~20 suites
Complimentary bikes
Meeting & event space
3 restaurant & bar concepts, including rooftop bar & lounge
Raleigh Magazine exclusively reveals name and design of area’s first Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel in Village District.
At once taking Raleigh’s boutique hotel experience next level and upping Village District’s hip factor is the area’s first Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel grab: the Oberlin Hotel. We first announced the Village District debut hotel on our Instagram. Now, we have the exclusive first look at never-before-seen renderings and details of the upscale property.
Situated at the intersection of Woodburn Road and Cameron Street in the heart of Village District (aka in the now defunct K&W locale), family-owned Winston-Salem-based Quality Oil Company LLC is unfurling a 115,000-square-foot charming boutique hotel, complete with a multiuser parking deck serving both the hotel and Village District.
With construction slated to begin this summer, the Oberlin Hotel is expected to take ~two years to complete, standing seven stories tall and serving up 153 well-appointed guest rooms, including presidential suites. Upon entry, the lobby will sate morning-to-night cravings via a market-style cafe dishing breakfast, spacious lounge and full cocktail bar, all open to the public as well.
Down the main corridor, meeting and banquet spaces accommodate myriad group sizes, while outside, a large courtyard awaits, complete with covered patio feat. a soundstage for live tunes, beverage service and event catering. And taking the experience to new heights, a signature high-end restaurant and rooftop bar, also open to the public, will showcase spectacular DTR vistas.
“Oberlin Hotel’s arrival to Village District is not only a great addition to our existing lineup, but also an overall benefit to the corridor,” said Chris Widmayer, senior VP of investments at Regency Centers. “This center is the beating heart of the market and now has a fantastic overnight option that helps make Village District a true 18-hour destination. We couldn’t be happier and encourage anyone looking to visit to see what sets them apart.”
And leaning into the Curio Collection by Hilton Hotels brand’s MO of boasting a global portfolio of handpicked hotels “for the curious,” with “no two Curio experiences the same,” the hotel is uniquely Raleigh—down to the hotel moniker itself, rooted deep in Raleigh history. The inspo for the hotel’s historic name dates back to the early 1860s Freedman’s Village established post-Emancipation, explains Bennett, and is drawn from the contributions of the brave men and women who formed the largest reconstruction-era settlement in Wake County.
“These folks made a lasting impact on Raleigh and the entire country because of what they achieved, and we think this special hotel will honor them and the Oberlin name” says Graham Bennett, president of Quality Oil Company—a near-100-year-old business you’d know from its Triangle Quality Mart and Quality Plus gas stations, as well as a Hampton Inn & Suites near PNC operated by its hospitality division, Quality Hospitality. “We are very excited to add this incredible property to our portfolio of award-winning hotels. From the amenities to the decor, and food and beverage offerings, this hotel will provide a truly unique and memorable experience guests will come back for.”
Beyond the distinctive branding, the hotel’s locale only serves to add to its allure. Village District—nee 1949 as Cameron Village shopping center—itself has a long, significant position on Raleigh’s hospitality scene, from its hip underground days to those famed blue awnings to its current iteration housing 100+ unique shops, cafes and services all proximal to the likes of NC State and the Hillsborough Street Corridor, Smoky Hollow, Glenwood South. And, don’t worry… while the hotel will up the luxe and livable factor of the burgeoning district, the strip—including local gems like Charlotte’s—will not be affected.
Make sure you don’t miss stories like this one delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for our free Raleigh Insider newsletter.
