What’s in North Hills’ new Innovation District? : Raleigh Convergence
The North Hills Innovation District is what’s next for North Hills and how we work and live differently now, according to Kane Realty’s Monday announcement.
The 33 acres will include “walkable ground level with experiential retail and maker’s spaces,” a two-story food hall and event space, large outdoor spaces, plus new residential and office spaces.
Here’s what to know about the development:
Location: The North Hills area as we know it now — an open-air, mixed use development with high-end retail — is a Raleigh landmark for more than 15 years. The Kane Realty development and area, adjacent to the Beltline, is also called Midtown.
Currently, there are three areas in North Hills: The Main District, the Lassiter District and the Park District.
The Innovation District would be down St. Albans, going east, of the Park District (which includes the Midtown Green, Vita Vitae, and the forthcoming next location for Jubala Coffee).
What the Innovation District includes:
Vine North Hills apartments was the first phase. The second phase is breaking ground this year, with future phases to come.
The Channel House, residential space with work/live features like a podcast studio and micro-retail space. Studio to three-bedroom apartments are planned. Large, garage-style openings will promote air flow. (summer 2023)
Tower 5, an 18-story office building, will be visible from the Beltline. A CRTKL Life Sciences will design the space to attract life sciences tenants, a group Kane Realty expects will grow post-pandemic in Raleigh. The building is also designed for startups. (spring 2024):
The Pumphouse, a single-tenant, 1,500-square-foot retail space with an outside biergarten. (spring 2024):
The food hall, anticipated to open summer 2024, will be designed by Clearscapes and include 11 stalls, an indoor/outdoor bar and outdoor rooms along the creek:
Nature and Capital Area Greenway connections: The Big Branch Creek tributary in the center of the development will connect the parts of the development with bridges and landings.
Why it matters
Besides the scale, the development’s announcement includes trends we’re likely to see going forward: more outdoor space, engagement with nature, development for remote and creative workers, and walkable developments that are work/play/live centers outside of a city’s Central Business District (downtown).
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What questions or thoughts do you have about the development? Share your thoughts to [email protected].