LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO
As we present the 2025 State of Downtown Raleigh report, we do so at a point of extraordinary momentum for our city’s center. In recent years, Downtown Raleigh has undergone a remarkable transformation—visible not only in cranes in the skyline and new storefronts on our streets, but in the energy and opportunity that defines life here today. This year marks the first full year of implementing the new Five-Year Downtown Raleigh Economic Development Strategy , a communitydriven roadmap introduced in 2024 to strengthen our economy, enhance livability, and ensure growth that is sustainable and creates opportunity for all.
The downtown development pipeline totals $8.3 billion in completed, under construction, and planned investments since 2015—a clear sign of investor confidence in our urban core. Downtown has added 5,970 new residential units in that time, doubling the downtown residential population . This wave of growth is transforming our center city into a true urban neighborhood, with thousands of new residents activating sidewalks and supporting local businesses.
Downtown Raleigh’s Class A office direct vacancy rate is 14.1%, the lowest office vacancy rate among major Triangle submarkets and most national peers. In a time when many cities are struggling with empty towers, our performance underscores the appeal of a walkable, connected, and amenity-rich business environment.
So far this year, 51 new storefront businesses have opened downtown through August 1, with another 28 announced coming soon . From chef-driven restaurants to independent retail, these businesses are the lifeblood of our streets, reflecting a growing customer base and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit. Downtown’s appeal is undeniable—over the past year, downtown welcomed 21.3 million visitor visits , making it one of the region’s most popular destinations.
Several major projects now underway will shape downtown for decades. The Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park opened in 2025, the first major component of Raleigh’s signature destination park, already spurring a downtown-to-Dix Park development trend. Construction is also underway on a regional Bus Rapid Transit system with downtown at its center, a cornerstone of Raleigh’s smart growth strategy. Meanwhile, a new arts and entertainment district is emerging, anchored by a relocated and expanded Red Hat Amphitheater , a 600room Omni convention hotel , and an expanded Raleigh Convention Center —investments that will draw visitors, boost economic activity, and elevate our cultural profile.
Few downtowns in America can match Raleigh’s access to nature. With 771 acres of greenspace within two miles of downtown’s center and direct links to an extensive greenway network, our downtown far outpaces most peers. This abundance of parks, trails, and greenways enhances quality of place and attracts residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Our story is one of collaboration and shared vision. As we look ahead, we remain committed to building a downtown that is welcoming, diverse, and thriving for all. The 2025 State of Downtown Raleigh report tells a story of a city center in motion—growing, evolving, and building a foundation for the decade ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey, whether as an investor, advocate, business owner, resident, or visitor.
Sincerely,
Bill King President + CEO, Downtown Raleigh Alliance
DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
CAPITAL
The Capital District is the government center of North Carolina and home to some of the state’s biggest tourist attractions. With the State Capitol, Legislative Building, Governor’s Mansion, and 3.5 million square feet of government office space, many of the most important decisions in the state are made in this district.
FAYETTEVILLE STREET
Fayetteville Street is the civic spine of the city and North Carolina’s Main Street. Anchored by the North Carolina State Capitol to the north and Raleigh’s performing arts center to the south, the district features award-winning restaurants, independent retailers, and a concentration of Class A office space.
GLENWOOD SOUTH
One of downtown’s signature streets anchors this eclectic neighborhood of restaurants, nightlife, stores, art galleries, and residences. New restaurants blend in with established favorites, while the growing population of young workers find plenty to do in the active bar scene.
MOORE SQUARE
Anchored by Moore Square Park and historic City Market, the district has become a dense and walkable urban neighborhood with plenty of entertainment options like Marbles Kids Museum and live music venues like The Lincoln Theatre and Pour House Music Hall.
SEABOARD + PERSON STREET
Containing the commercial centers of Seaboard Station and Person Street, the northern end of downtown has a neighborhood feel with locally-owned businesses such as bakeries, clothing boutiques, hardware and garden stores, and some of downtown’s best restaurants.
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
Characterized by its red brick warehouses, the Warehouse District has transformed into a vibrant mix of restaurants, destination retail, technology firms, and a multi-modal hub with Raleigh Union Station.
20K
RESIDENTS WITHIN 1 MILE OF DOWNTOWN'S CENTER 1
43.3K
EMPLOYEES WITHIN 1 MILE OF DOWNTOWN'S CENTER 1 132+
RETAILERS 2
289+
RESTAURANTS AND BARS 2
21.3M
VISITOR VISITS PER YEAR 3
492
ACRES OF PARK SPACE WITHIN 1 MILE OF DOWNTOWN'S CENTER 4
INTRODUCTION TO DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
Downtown Raleigh is a rapidly evolving hub of growth, innovation, and community—one of the nation’s fastest-growing downtowns with an exciting mix of residential, commercial, retail, and cultural experiences.
Over the past decade, Raleigh’s urban core has become one of the country’s most attractive markets for living, working, and visiting, with over $8.3 billion in new development, thriving industries, top tech firms, awardwinning restaurants, and a bustling entertainment scene.
Since 2015, nearly 6,000 new residential units have delivered, more than doubling downtown’s inventory. Another 1,259 units are under construction, with nearly 6,500 planned. Strong occupancy, averaging 239 units absorbed per quarter over the past year, sets new records for pace with 300+ units absorbed in Q2 2025. This unprecedented pipeline is transforming downtown into a collection of vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods.
Downtown’s office market is a magnet for companies seeking access to a highly skilled workforce. Over 250 new storefront businesses have opened since 2020, adding street-level energy to match residential, office, and tourism demand. Downtown has the largest concentration of hotel rooms in the region, with more on the way. Overall, Downtown Raleigh has emerged as one of the bestperforming markets in the region and country.
A national leader in urban greenspace, downtown offers 770+ acres of greenspace within two miles of its center—far outpacing most peers. Significant investments, including Dix Park’s Gipson Play Plaza, expand the edges of downtown, adding incredible amenities across the city center.
From storefront growth to transformative investments like the Raleigh Convention Center expansion and incoming Bus Rapid Transit system, Downtown Raleigh is on a trajectory of continued success—a place where creativity and commerce thrive, and where residents, workers, and visitors can live, work, and explore in a dynamic, connected community.
$8.3B
IN DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE OF PROJECTS PLANNED, UNDER CONSTRUCTION, OR COMPLETED SINCE 2015
COMPLETED SINCE 2015, UNDER CONSTRUCTION, PLANNED OR PROPOSED
13,673
NEW RESIDENTIAL UNITS
NEW RESIDENTS
SQUARE FEET OF NEW OFFICE SPACE
NEW OFFICE EMPLOYEES
SQUARE FEET OF NEW RETAIL SPACE NEW STORES AND RESTAURANTS
19.5K 2.4M 11K 982K 281+ 2,547 697K+ WHAT DOES THIS GROWTH MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?
NEW HOTEL ROOMS MORE OVERNIGHT STAYS PER YEAR
INVESTMENT BY DISTRICT Recently Completed Under Construction Planned or Proposed Source: DRA
ON THE MAP: RALEIGH’S FUTURE SKYLINE
COMPLETED SINCE 2015
• $3,161,908,161 investment
• 1,984,089 SF office space
• 5,970 residential units
• 931 hotel rooms
• 662,539 SF retail
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
• $1,535,900,000 investment
• 22,800 SF office space
• 1,259 residential units
• 204 hotel rooms
• 66,093 SF retail
PLANNED + PROPOSED
• $3,621,631,730 investment
• 368,392 SF office space
• 6,444 residential units
• 1,412 hotel rooms
• 253,624 SF retail
$8.3B in development pipeline of projects planned, under construction, or completed since 2015
ON THE MAP: DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
Completed 2015 to 2022
Completed 2023 to Present
Under Construction
Planned or Proposed
400H
North Carolina Freedom Park
The Dukes at City View
The Platform (West End Phase I)
The Signal (Seaboard Station Block B)
615 Peace
Mira Raleigh
Row 12
Tempo/Homewood Suites by Hilton Dual Brand Hotel
The Acorn on Person Street
The Bend
The Marbles Playway
The Miles at Seaboard Station
The Point & Hyatt House Seaboard Station
122 Glenwood Ave (Renovation)
Alexan Moto
Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park
Maeve
The Row at Rockway Raleigh
Union Station Bus Facility (RUS Bus)
The Holston at The Weld*
TOTALS
210 Fayetteville St (Renovation)
216 Fayetteville St (Renovation)
East Civic Tower - City Hall
Highline Glenwood (In Site Prep)
Hotel Indigo (Renovation)
Idyle
NC Education Campus
NC Museum of History (Renovation)
Noble Place
Oldham & Worth (West End Phase II)
Ray at The Weld
TOTALS
1317 Hillsborough Apartments
201 W Hillsborough
317 E Jones Apartments
330 W Hargett St
400 W Cabarrus
401 Cabarrus Apartments
404 Glenwood (The Creamery Phase 2)
423 S Blount - Boutique Hotel
501 Hillsborough
516 S Bloodworth
707 Semart Drive
865 Morgan Apartments
Bloomsbury Apartments
Cabarrus & Dawson Residences
City Gateway Parking Facility & Hotel
Fire Station 1 & Fire Administration Building
John Chavis Aquatics Center & Heritage Plaza
John P. Top Greene African American Cultural Center
Lynde Hill Lofts at Rockway
Marriott Towneplace Suites
Moore Square East Affordable Housing
Moore Square South
Oakwood Townhomes
Omni Hotel - Raleigh Convention Hotel
One Nash Square
Raleigh Convention Center Expansion
Red Hat Amphitheater Relocation
Salisbury Square Apartments
Smoky Hollow Park
The Depot
The Heath at Rockway
The Madison
The Row at Glenwood
The Tellus Condominiums
The Weld Phase 2
Union West at Raleigh Union Station
VeLa Longview
West South Street Apartments
Wilmington Street Mixed Use
TOTALS
INVESTMENT RETAIL/OFFICE SF UNITS/ROOMS SPACE USE(S)
$175,000,000
Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced
$100,000,000
$7,000,000 Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced
$73,500,000 Not Announced Not Announced
$37,917,000 Not Announced
$1,211,877,000 Not announced Not announced
$206,000,000
$200,000,000
$49,000,000
$11,000,000
$400,000,000
$180,000,000
Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced
$1,535,900,000 Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced
$200,000,000 Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced
$72,000,000
$53,950,000
$9,295,000 Not Announced Not Announced
$56,800,000 Not Announced Not Announced
$314,100,000 Not Announced
$355,000,000
$32,000,000 Not Announced
$22,679,930
$75,000,000 Not Announced
$150,000,000 Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced Not Announced
$170,000,000 Not Announced Not Announced
$3,621,631,730
Townhome
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Condo/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Townhome
Hotel
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Hotel/Retail
Office/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Apartment/Retail
Source: City of Raleigh, Ray Aull
At approximately 1% of the City of Raleigh’s land area, Downtown Raleigh contributes more than its size might suggest. Downtown Raleigh serves as the anchor to our community’s tax base, contributing citywide through traditional property and sales tax revenue but also through hotel and prepared food and beverage tax revenue.
Wake County collected $41 million in hotel occupancy taxes during the calendar year 2024, $8 million (20%) of which came from Downtown Raleigh. Similarly, Downtown Raleigh contributes a disproportionate amount of Wake County’s Prepared Food and Beverage Tax, contributing 3.4 million (7%) of the $46.4 million collected in 2024.
HOTEL ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX COLLECTED IN DOWNTOWN
$2.2M
Source: Wake County Tax Administration
PREPARED FOOD AND BEVERAGE TAX COLLECTED IN DOWNTOWN
Source: Wake County Tax Administration
LIVING
+8,681
Projected population increase by 2030 1
Downtown Raleigh is in the midst of a massive population boom, growing over 33% in the last five years.1 With an additional 1,259 units under construction and another 6,444 proposed, Downtown’s population is projected to grow by 8,681 residents over the next five years.1 This rapid pace of growth reflects strong demand for Downtown’s walkable, urban lifestyle. Downtown’s 15,681 residents have unparalleled access to the region’s best restaurants, shops, parks and cultural destinations.1 Ongoing public and private investments continue to position Downtown Raleigh for long-term residential growth. Recent additions like Gipson Play Plaza to the south and the planned Smoky Hollow Park to the north expand greenspace, improve quality of life, and strengthen downtown’s appeal.
5,970 HOUSING UNITS DELIVERED 2015 TO PRESENT 1
10,426 HOUSING INVENTORY 1
15,681 DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS 1 +101% INCREASE IN POPULATION 2015 TO PRESENT 1
$2,019
AVERAGE ASKING RENT PER MONTH 2 92.1%
STABILIZED OCCUPANCY RATE 2
DOWNTOWN RALEIGH GROWTH THROUGH 2030
ON THE MAP: RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
5,970 units completed 2015-present in 39 projects
1,259 units under construction in 6 projects
6,444 units planned or proposed in 24 projects
Completed 2015 to Present
Under Construction
Planned or Proposed >300 Units <30 Units
Source: DRA Note: Figures for The Holston, which delivered in early Q3, are included in under construction totals in the report.
RESIDENTIAL UNITS DELIVERED BY YEAR
Downtown Raleigh is experiencing one of its largest waves of residential construction, adding 5,970 units since 2015 and increasing total inventory by 134%.
Multifamily apartment units account for 96% of all units delivered and represent 98% of those planned or proposed.
PIPELINE BY DISTRICT
Residential growth is occurring across all parts of downtown.
Glenwood South leads in completed units, while the Warehouse District is set to add 2,291 more units through active construction and planned projects.
APARTMENT UNITS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Citywide apartment construction peaked in Q4 2022 with 10,583 units underway, 24% of which were located in Downtown Raleigh. Downtown reached its peak shortly after, with 2,808 units under construction in Q1 2023. As of Q2 2025, the pace of both city-wide and downtown construction has consistently slowed from peak. However, new projects such as the Highline Glenwood have recently been able to get underway.
Source: DRA
APARTMENT MARKET
Downtown Raleigh’s apartment market is performing well, with strong demand continuing to absorb new supply as a wave of recent completions enters the market. Newly delivered developments have pushed overall availability higher, while stabilized vacancy, which excludes projects in initial lease up, remains low at 7.9%.1 From Q3 2024 through Q2 2025, Downtown Raleigh set a record by absorbing 956 apartment units, the highest 12-month total on record.1 This high rate of lease-up signals a healthy, resilient market that continues to attract residents even as supply grows.
Photo courtesy of Capital Square
Maeve
TOTAL UNITS DELIVERED WITH VACANCY RATE
Source: CoStar
Downtown Raleigh has absorbed multiple waves of new apartments, with the most recent wave adding 2,473 units since Q2 2023. 1 Developments are also increasing in scale, with two recently completed projects exceeding 400 units each and four more planned or proposed of a similar or greater size. 1
Source:
APARTMENT MARKET
Downtown Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing apartment markets in the country, adding 5,722 apartment units since 2015.1 When factoring in units underway, downtown is poised to increase total inventory by 255%.2 Demand has kept pace with new supply—Raleigh leads peer communities over the past 12 months in absorption as a percentage of existing inventory (12.5%) even as 1,097 new units were delivered.2
After a brief dip following the 2022 peak, downtown rents are rising again. High-quality developments like Maeve and The Row are reaching new price points, with asking rents reaching $3 per square foot (per month), which enable taller development.2 Strong absorption and record rents signal sustained demand for downtown living.
Developers continue to deliver product into a market that has proven its ability to absorb new supply, reinforcing Downtown Raleigh’s position as one of the strongest-performing apartment markets in the United States.
The Row at Rockway Raleigh
Source:
12 MONTH APARTMENT ABSORPTION AS A PERCENT OF INVENTORY IN SELECT DOWNTOWNS
FOR-SALE HOUSING
Single-family homes, condos, and townhomes within a one-mile radius of the center of downtown continue to sell even as the broader Raleigh market is seeing a surge in supply. While prices have leveled, they remain well above pre-pandemic levels, signaling continued interest in urban homeownership.
Buyers continue to choose Downtown Raleigh for its walkable lifestyle, access to job centers, and proximity to parks, dining, and culture. As demand grows, new for-sale opportunities in downtown will be critical to maintaining housing diversity and ownership options. The recently announced 20-story One Nash Square tower will add 82 condominium units to the growing Fayetteville Street District.
DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS
There are approximately 20,000 residents within a mile of Downtown Raleigh’s center, with an additional 8,681 new residents expected over the next five years. 1,2 Downtown residents are very well educated with over 68% of downtown residents having achieved a bachelor’s degree or higher. 1 Downtown continues to attract residents who are younger and more affluent than the citywide average. The average household income in downtown is estimated at $145,195, 13% higher than the citywide average. 1 Downtown is also emerging as a renter-by-choice market, where many residents have the means to purchase a home but choose to rent for the lifestyle, flexibility, and walkable access that downtown offers.
$145,195
19,980
OFFICE & EMPLOYMENT +88,874
SF year to date 2025 Class A net absorption through Q21
Downtown Raleigh is The Triangle’s densest office submarket with more office space, amenities, and employees per acre than any other submarket in the region. Its walkable environment, cultural offerings, and growing residential base make it an increasingly attractive location for companies that want to attract and retain talent. Between 2015 and 2023, developers added 1.7 million square feet of Class A office space, increasing Downtown’s total Class A inventory by 43%.1,2 With no new office projects underway citywide, Downtown Raleigh is well-positioned to meet demand with its central location, walkable environment, strong amenities, and concentration of high-quality office space.
+363,703
CLASS A NET ABSORPTION 2020 TO PRESENT 1
4,136,027
TOTAL CLASS A OFFICE INVENTORY 1
$38.50
AVERAGE ASKING RENT PER SQUARE FOOT FOR CLASS A SPACE 3 14.1%
DIRECT CLASS A VACANCY RATE 1
+30%
INCREASE IN CLASS A INVENTORY 2020 TO PRESENT 1 21.3%
OVERALL CLASS A VACANCY RATE 1
LOCAL OFFICE MARKET
Downtown Raleigh has the lowest Class A direct vacancy rate in The Triangle at 14.1%, significantly down from a peak of 24.1% in Q4 2021. 1 This trend reflects consistent leasing activity and sustained demand for high-quality office space. Since 2020, more than 363K square feet of Class A space has been absorbed, signaling market strength even amid broader workplace shifts. 1 Downtown Raleigh makes up only 16.7% of the region’s available sublease space, with most available space concentrated in Research Triangle Park. 1 Of the 415,794 square feet available downtown, 73% is located in just two buildings, 411 Fayetteville Street and 120 South West Street, which limits the broader impact on the market. 1 Downtown’s strong absorption, low vacancy rate, and limited sublease availability highlight its status as the region’s premier office submarket.
SHARE OF SUBLEASE AVAILABLE BY LOCAL SUBMARKET 1
DOWNTOWN
The Downtown Raleigh office market has demonstrated strong performance over the past year, particularly when compared to other downtown markets nationwide. Since Q2 2019, Class A direct vacancy has risen significantly nationwide, but Downtown Raleigh has remained relatively stable and resilient. Class A rents in downtown remain competitively positioned among peer markets and have held steady despite the addition of new supply.
CLASS A VACANCY IN SELECT DOWNTOWNS
TALENT & INNOVATION
Only The Triangle, Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Chicago have three tier-1 research universities in one metropolitan region.
Downtown Raleigh sits at the center of one of the nation’s most innovative and fastest-growing labor markets. The Triangle’s nine universities enroll approximately 100,000 students, giving downtown employers direct access to cutting edge research and a steady pipeline of highly trained graduates.
Downtown Raleigh is also home to two Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Shaw University and Saint Augustine’s University, which are leaders in innovation and equity.
CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL SHAW UNIVERSITY**
WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY
SAINT AUGUSTINE’S UNIVERSITY**
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY*
MEREDITH COLLEGE
NC CENTRAL UNIVERSITY**
DUKE UNIVERSITY*
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL* UNIVERSITIES WITHIN 30 MILES OF
© Carolyn Scott
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF RESIDENTS AGE 25+
From 2018 to 2023, the number of residents age 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher in the Raleigh-Cary MSA grew by 37%, outpacing the state and most peer cities. This growth is fueled by a strong concentration of research universities, a steady pipeline of educated talent, and expanding high-tech and knowledge-based industries.
CHANGE IN TOTAL POPULATION AGE 25+ WITH BA+ 2018-2023
EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS
Downtown Raleigh’s workforce is anchored by state and local government, which accounts for 41% of the approximately 43,320 employees within a mile of the State Capitol. At the same time, high-growth sectors like technology, life sciences, engineering, and professional services continue to expand downtown. Companies such as Atomic Object and BuildOps have recently chosen to grow in the district, drawn by its central location, access to top talent, and amenity-rich, tech-friendly environment.
LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYERS BY SQUARE FEET OCCUPIED
RED HAT
PENDO
STATE EMPLOYEES’ CREDIT UNION
SMITH ANDERSON
KIMLEY-HORN
PNC BANK
WILLIAMS MULLEN
MCADAMS
ENVESTNET, INC
WEWORK
FIRST HORIZON BANK
PARKER POE ADAMS BERNSTEIN
POYNER SPRUILL LLP
WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON LLP
BROOKS PIERCE COMPANY
100 E Davie St
301 Hillsborough St
119 N Salisbury St 150 Fayetteville St
421 Fayetteville St
301 Fayetteville St
301 Fayetteville St
621 Hillsborough St 621 Hillsborough St
1 Glenwood Ave
1 Glenwood Ave
301 Fayetteville St
301 Fayetteville St
555 Fayetteville St
150 Fayetteville St
The shift to hybrid work has reshaped how many companies use office space, with employers prioritizing locations that offer flexibility, high-quality amenities, and a strong sense of place. Downtown Raleigh is well positioned to meet these evolving needs, with 1.7 million square feet of new Class A office space delivered since 2015 in a dense, walkable, and amenity rich environment that appeals to today’s workforce. Employee activity in downtown has steadily recovered, reaching 68% of pre-pandemic levels.
INBOUND
EMPLOYEE COMMUTE RECOVERY
RATE IN SELECT DOWNTOWNS
Source: Placer.ai
Source: CoStar
SHOPPING & DINING
+23
Net gain in storefront businesses year to date
Downtown Raleigh’s storefront economy offers residents, workers, and visitors a dense mix of retail, dining, nightlife, and services. This variety has made downtown a major regional and national destination while supporting its transformation into a vibrant residential neighborhood. Since 2020, more than 240 new storefront businesses have opened downtown. From July 2024 to June 2025, downtown absorbed +87,450 square feet of storefront space and added a net of +13 new storefront businesses. Another 28 new storefront businesses have announced plans to open in the near future. These trends highlight an expanding and resilient storefront economy, reinforce Downtown Raleigh’s status as a premier destination, and signal continued momentum for new business growth year over year.
84
STOREFRONT OPENINGS SINCE JULY 1, 2024
289
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
138 LUNCH SPOTS
132
PLACES TO SHOP
1.8M SQUARE FEET OF STOREFRONT SPACE
STOREFRONT BUSINESS ACTIVITY BY YEAR
84.1%
STOREFRONT OCCUPANCY RATE
ON THE MAP: STOREFRONT BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Anthony’s LaPiazza
Crissy Shined Nails
Vic’s Pizzeria
The Underground
El Toro Loco Taqueria
Union Station Deli & Catering
SweatHouz
Daijobu
Parcero Studio
U.B. Paint’N & Sip’N (Relocation) JETSET
The
Palm Berries
Oma’s Café & Wine Bar
Homebody
Pierro’s Italian Bistro
Buoy
Insomnia
Times
Manscape
Moonsong
The Bend
Noire Nail Bar
Beem Light Sauna
Bricks & Minifigs
Littlest Shoppe
Venom Nightclub
Body Fit Training
Fresco Veloce in Morgan Street
Le Dive
Willow House Coffee PrimoHoagies
Halftime Lounge
State of Beer on Morgan
Marian Cocktails & Kitchen
Dream Nail Salon
Mazahua Azteca
Urban Oak
The Burrow
BK Pilates
Omakase by Kai
Tucker Street Diner
Paul & Jack
The Crispy Cod at Morgan Street Food Hall
VICE
Big Top Boba, Tea & Smoothies
Littlest Tea Room
Simon Says Dip This Cortado
Slice Pie Company
Ammi’s Chaat Chai Cake
Soul Flavorscape of India
District
Pinky Swear Tattoo
Maison Neue
The Crunkleton
Happy + Hale (70 & Sunny Pop-Up)
Oakwood Deli
Westwood
Cuya Cocina Latina
The Junction Salon & Bar
Lucky Tree
Dreamy Taste in Morgan Street Food Hall
FastMed Urgent Care Clinic
Total Herbal Care
La Mala
Amrut: Taste of India
Yoga Soul-Lec-Tive (Relocation)
Angel’s Treasures
Boatman Spirits Co.
Electric Flamingo (Pop-Up)
Volofit
Stretch Zone
The Bike Library
The Thirsty Buffalo: Wings & Brews
Inka Grill
Pop-Up Shops at Wilmington Street
Casa Imperial Finery
The Row
Arcadia
NY Finest Grill & Deli
83 South
ABC Store
Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey
Benchwarmers Bagels
Bitter Social
Bright Side Books & Wine
Bubble Box at Morgan Street Food Hall
Campo Taco Co
The Common Market
La Cucina Italiana
Embargo
Hibachi 88
Hone-Sharpen
Jade Express
Jubala Coffee
K38 Baja Grill
Legends Nightclub (Relocation)
LGBT Center of Raleigh
The Merchant (Relocation)
Mood Nails
The Museum Shop
The Newsagent’s
Pins Mechanical Co.
Poole’s Diner (Expansion)
Rebellion Vintage
Sauna House
Smash
Super RAD Retro Lounge
Tous Les Jours
Veloce Italian Market
Voodoo Brewing COMING SOON
STOREFRONT INVENTORY
Each year, Downtown Raleigh Alliance conducts a comprehensive inventory of downtown storefront space. This data provides a detailed account of vacancy at the individual storefront level and enables long-term trend analysis. Glenwood South and Fayetteville Street account for just over half of Downtown Raleigh’s total storefront inventory. Recent residential development in the Warehouse and Seaboard & Person Street districts has significantly expanded downtown’s total inventory, adding 228,578 square feet of storefront space since 2015 in just those two districts. Overall, Downtown Raleigh’s storefront economy absorbed +87,450 square feet of storefront space over the past year.
The Seaboard & Person Street district saw the largest year-over-year increase in total occupied square feet as the three-block Seaboard Station development continues to lease up its ground floor space. Glenwood South has the highest occupancy rate of any district at 94.32%, reflecting strong demand for dining and nightlife businesses.
CHANGE IN OCCUPIED SF BY DISTRICT
Source: DRA
Source: DRA
© Sarah Devoti
First generation space makes up 42.7% of all vacant space downtown, nearly all of it located in recently completed buildings still leasing their ground floor space. When first generation shell space is removed from the analysis, downtown’s overall occupancy rate increases to 90.1%.
*Downtown Non-District Source: DRA
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Downtown Raleigh has become a major regional and national food destination, with over 289 dining and nightlife establishments offering a wide range of cuisines and experiences. The fine dining and nightlife scene continues to grow, with more than 136 new businesses opening since the start of 2020. Food and beverage sales increased +6.8% between July 2024 and June 2025 compared to the same period from July 2023 to June 2024.1 Glenwood South has seen a surge in new dining and nightlife businesses, with 48 openings since early 2020, followed by the Fayetteville Street District with 23 openings.2
$357 Million Estimated Food and Beverage Sales July 2024June 2025 1 +6.8% Increase in Food and Beverage Sales Year over Year 1
DINING & NIGHTLIFE CONTINUED
Glenwood South generates over $130 million in estimated annual food and beverage sales through its vibrant dining and nightlife scene, supporting thousands of jobs and providing significant local tax revenue. 1 The district has experienced one of the fastest recoveries in total evening visits, highlighting its continued role as a key driver of downtown activity and hospitality. Total food and beverage sales and evening visits to Glenwood South have increased +10% and +4% year over year, respectively. 1,2
FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES IN GLENWOOD SOUTH
© David Kuhn / Visit Raleigh
© Anna Routh
© Anna Routh
ACCLAIMED CHEFS
Downtown Raleigh is home to many acclaimed chefs and restaurants.
Downtown chefs and restaurateurs have earned 26 James Beard Award nominations since 2010, including two recent semifinalists, elevating our community’s reputation as a fine dining destination.
FIGULINA
David Ellis
• 2025 Semifinalist - America’s Best New Restaurant
BITTERSWEET
Kim Hammer
• 2024 Semifinalist - Outstanding Bar
SCOTT CRAWFORD
Crawford & Son, Jolie, Sous Terre
• 2025 Semifinalist - Outstanding Restaurateur
• 2024 Finalist - Outstanding Hospitality
• 2016 Semifinalist - Best Chef Southeast
SUNNY GERHART
St. Roch Fine Oysters & Bar
• 2022 Semifinalist - Best Chef Southeast
ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN
Poole’s Diner, Death & Taxes, Beasley’s Chicken & Honey
• 2019 Winner - Outstanding Chef US
• 2018 Finalist - Outstanding Chef US
• 2017 Semifinalist - Outstanding Chef US
• 2016 Semifinalist - Outstanding Chef US
• 2014 Winner - Best Chef Southeast
• 2012 Semifinalist - Best Chef Southeast
• 2011 Semifinalist - Best Chef Southeast
• 2010 Semifinalist - Best Chef Southeast
© Hoffman Media
© Flyboy Media
© Richard Barlow
© Jessica Crawford
8
AND
GOODS & SERVICES
Downtown Raleigh offers a wide variety of small businesses offering retail services and goods. Residents, employees, and visitors to downtown enjoy a dense mix of hair and beauty care, specialty retail shops, art galleries, and apparel shops ranging from high-end and bespoke to sustainable vintage. Downtown has seen a steady flow of new retail goods and service-oriented businesses open to serve downtown’s rapidly expanding resident population. This growth has strengthened downtown’s position as a hub for independent and local businesses that reflect Raleigh’s character.
8,681 +
© Sarah Devoti
Parcero Studio
FOOT TRAFFIC
Downtown Raleigh’s population shifts throughout the day and week as residents, workers, and visitors contribute to its unique rhythm. During weekdays, inbound commuting employees make up a large portion of the population from 9am to 5pm, drawn by downtown’s role as a major employment hub. In the late afternoon and evening, visitors become more prominent, contributing to the district’s vibrant nightlife and cultural scene. Activity peaks on weekends, especially Saturday nights, when visitor volume surges. Meanwhile, downtown residents provide a steady presence at all hours, supporting street-level vitality and anchoring daily life. This ebb and flow reflects Downtown Raleigh’s multifaceted role as a business center, residential neighborhood, and regional destination.
Source: Placer.ai
Source: Placer.ai
ARTS, CULTURE & TOURISM
+931
Hotel rooms added since
2018 1
Downtown Raleigh is a center of creative activity, arts, museums, events, and a diverse range of experiences. World-class North Carolina state museums, state capital attractions, and historical points of interest combine with a diverse mix of regional attractors and local arts and performance venues to create a density and caliber of cultural attractions that is unparalleled in The Triangle and state. An arts and culture hotspot, Downtown Raleigh has something for everyone: kids activities and play, visual and performing arts, architecture and history, and a broad range of indoor and outdoor venues.
180+ PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS 1
1,801 EXISTING HOTEL ROOMS 1
18
PERFORMING ARTS AND CONCERT VENUES 1
1,412 HOTEL ROOMS PLANNED OR PROPOSED 1
$207 HOTEL ROOM AVERAGE DAILY RATE 3
5.1M
UNIQUE DOWNTOWN VISITORS 2
67.7%
HOTEL ROOM OCCUPANCY 3
HOTEL MARKET AND TOURISM
Downtown Raleigh is a primary driver in the region’s tourism economy, offering the highest concentration of hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions alongside vibrant arts and entertainment venues.
Recent hotel openings, including the 261-room dual-brand Tempo and Homewood Suites by Hilton as well as the 149-room Hyatt House in Seaboard Station, have expanded lodging options for visitors and supported growth in both leisure and business travel. Major investments are underway to further strengthen downtown’s tourism appeal, including the planned expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center, the relocation and expansion of Red Hat Amphitheater, and development of the new 600room Omni convention hotel. These projects, combined with a thriving year-round calendar of performances, exhibitions, and festivals, position Downtown Raleigh as a premier destination for both residents and visitors alike.
RED HAT AMPHITHEATER RELOCATION
The City of Raleigh is relocating the Red Hat Amphitheater one block south as part of the Raleigh Convention Center expansion. The new amphitheater will open in time for the 2027 outdoor concert season and expand the capacity of the venue to over 6,000 seats. Construction includes closing a block of South Street while improving surrounding streetscapes to maintain pedestrian access.
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION PLANS
The City of Raleigh is designing a $355 million expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center on the current Red Hat Amphitheater site. Planned to open 2029, the expansion will add approximately 300,000 square feet including 80,000 square feet of event space and 30 meeting rooms. Paired with new hotels this investment will elevate Downtown Raleigh’s capacity to host major conventions and attract more visitors.
600-ROOM OMNI CONVENTION HOTEL PLANNED
Downtown Raleigh has fewer hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center than most peer markets, limiting its ability to compete for convention business. To address this inventory deficit, the City of Raleigh has partnered with Omni Hotels to bring a 600room convention hotel to Fayetteville Street between the existing convention center and the performing arts center. An additional 812 hotel rooms across five further developments also are planned or proposed throughout downtown.
HOTEL ROOMS IN RANGE OF CONVENTION CENTER
9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000
The Omni Convention Hotel is expected to open in 2028.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Downtown Raleigh is home to some of the region’s most visited attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands each year. From cultural anchors like the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and Marbles Kids Museum to vibrant destinations such as City Market and Morgan Street Food Hall, downtown offers experiences that engage visitors of all ages.
DOWNTOWN ATTRACTIONS
RALEIGH CONVENTION CENTER NC MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES
MORGAN STREET FOOD HALL
MARTIN MARIETTA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
RED HAT AMPHITHEATER
MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM NC MUSEUM OF HISTORY (UNDER RENOVATION)
The Marbles Playway
PUBLIC ART BY DISTRICT TOTAL OUTDOOR EVENT ATTENDEES JULY 2024 - JUNE 2025
Downtown Raleigh is known for its robust schedule of events and festivals that draw visitors and support local businesses. Between July 2024 and June 2025, downtown hosted 142 outdoor events with a combined attendance of more than 748,000 people.
Downtown Raleigh is home to more than 180 pieces of public art, creating a dense and vibrant cultural landscape. Public art enriches the visitor experience, giving Downtown Raleigh a unique sense of place and supporting local businesses and artists alike.
Source: City of Raleigh
# 2 Most Climate
Resilient City - RaleighArchitectural Digest
Downtown Raleigh is setting a new standard for urban greenspace. With 771 acres of greenspace within two miles of downtown’s center, including Dorothea Dix Park and the newly opened Gipson Play Plaza, the city is redefining what it means to live in a vibrant, walkable urban center. Downtown Raleigh leads most US downtowns in total acres of greenspace within two miles of downtown center. Investments in green infrastructure and outdoor gathering spaces reflect our communities commitment to make nature an essential part of daily life. Downtown is also at the center of a wave of mass transit investments that will ensure Downtown Raleigh is the most connected part of The Triangle.
ON THE MAP: PARKS AND GREENSPACES
State Gov. Complex
Plazas & Amphitheaters
Downtown Trees Greenways Streams Parks & Greenspaces Campuses
19 parks within one
11,020+
CHAVIS
INVESTMENTS IN GREENSPACE
Investing in park space big and small, Downtown Raleigh has a strong system of existing parks and greenspace including historic squares, an expansive mall, recreation fields, greenways, as well as a new destination park on the way. Recent and upcoming investment in Downtown Raleigh’s parks will greatly enhance downtown’s amenities for residents, employees, and visitors alike.
GIPSON PLAY PLAZA AT DOROTHEA DIX PARK
The recently completed Gipson Play Plaza is the newest addition to Dorothea Dix Park, transforming 18.5 acres of the park into a world-class play destination. As the largest adventure playground in the Southeast, the park has many features including a sensory maze, swing terrace, water play mountain, and sprawling adventure playground. The park also features a picnic grove, gardens, and a grand plaza. The $70 million investment is part of phase 1 in the park’s 10-year Master Plan and was funded in part by the 2022 Parks Bond and a $10 million gift from Pat and Tom Gipson.
NORTH CAROLINA FREEDOM PARK
Situated in the heart of the state government campus, North Carolina Freedom Park opened in 2023 and is a space dedicated to the African American experience and struggle for freedom in North Carolina. The one-acre park was designed by internationally recognized architect Phil Freelon.
CHAVIS-DIX STROLLWAY
The Chavis-Dix Strollway is a plan to connect Chavis Park, Downtown Raleigh, and Dorothea Dix Park. When complete this project will connect southeast and southwest Raleigh, allowing people to bike or walk the 1.5 miles between the two parks and downtown while learning about historically significant sites throughout Raleigh.
JOHN CHAVIS MEMORIAL PARK
Located just east of downtown, this historic 28-acre park recently underwent an $18 million renovation, which was completed in June 2021. The park includes a half mile section of the Capital Area Greenway Trail as well as a historic carousel, water feature, large playground, community center with a full-size indoor gym, elevated walking track, and numerous new amenities. Since opening in 2022, Raleigh voters approved further updates, including development of a new aquatic center. Improvements to the adjacent John P. “Top” Green Center and implementation of the South Park Heritage Trail are also on the way in the coming years.
SMOKY HOLLOW PARK
The City of Raleigh is nearing the start of construction on a new urban park in Downtown Raleigh. The site, known informally for many years as “Devereux Meadow,” is a 14-acre City of Raleigh-owned property currently used as a city maintenance yard and vehicle fleet facility. The City of Raleigh intends to convert this property into a lush and natural-scaped urban park. The approved concept plan for this park includes environmental site remediation, pathways, plazas, natural spaces, extensive native landscaping, improvements to the Pigeon House Branch stream channel and floodplain, and constructed wetlands.
INVESTMENTS IN CONNECTIVITY
RALEIGH UNION STATION BUS FACILITY (RUS BUS)
Union Station Bus Facility, more commonly known as RUS Bus, has opened adjoining Raleigh Union Station. The new multimodal hub will serve regional GoTriangle bus routes with six off-street bays, two layover spaces, comfortable waiting areas, public restrooms, bike parking, lockers, and digital wayfinding. The new facility strengthens downtown’s connectivity by linking regional transit systems with existing intercity rail services.
BUS RAPID TRANSIT
Construction of Raleigh’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) line is now underway. The first BRT line will run along New Bern Avenue and Edenton Street between downtown and WakeMed. Construction is anticipated over the next several years. The Eastern BRT route along New Bern Avenue is the first of four routes coming to Raleigh over the next decade with downtown at the center.
S-LINE: PASSENGER RAIL FROM SANFORD TO VIRGINIA
Plans are underway for a new high-speed rail line connecting Raleigh to Richmond. The project was awarded an $1.09 billion federal grant in 2024 to begin design work, acquisition, and construction of the line. The S-Line will enhance mobility options and strengthen connections within our region, making it easier for people to live, work, and visit in a growing, connected urban center.
RDU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
RDU is undergoing major capital improvements to support long-term growth, including a new runway and terminal upgrades. These investments will enhance passenger experience and regional connectivity, ensuring the airport keeps pace with demand as the region continues to grow.
A New Strategy for Downtown
In 2024, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, in partnership with the City of Raleigh and Interface Studio, developed a five-year Economic Development Strategy for Downtown Raleigh. This effort produced several key recommendations and bold ideas to guide catalytic investment and the continued evolution of our urban core. Over the past year, DRA and its partners have advanced key elements of this plan, building momentum and laying the groundwork for future investment and growth.
ENERGIZE THE CORE
The core of downtown, centered around Fayetteville Street, is disconnected from investments in other districts and lacks some of the vibrancy seen in emerging areas of downtown. To thrive, the core needs a compelling vision that prioritizes street activity, improves connections, and attracts a variety of different people—not just office workers.
Adding residential density to the core further builds on a neighborhood dynamic, providing more patrons for emerging retail and entertainment districts and creating extended activation opportunities for our core and downtown as a whole.
The downtown core is more than a single street; it is a series of overlapping mini-districts tied to surrounding streets and uses. Tenanting should build on unique characteristics with a unifying theme of representing the best of North Carolina and leaning into an identity as North Carolina's Main Street. Planned investments in convention and tourism assets should be leveraged to anchor a new arts and entertainment district on the southern end of downtown.
UNLOCKING STREETSCAPE DESIGN TO ALLOW FOR FLEXIBILITY
Fayetteville Street has wide sidewalks that discourage active uses and are underutilized by adjacent storefronts. Developing a streetscape design for Fayetteville Street that creates flexibility while still maintaining an overarching look and feel, would create more adaptive uses that enable a vibrant and people-centric street front.
Create an inviting front door, linking North Carolina’s Main Street with the Convention Center and welcoming visitors to our downtown core
REFRESHED CITY PLAZA
At present, City Plaza has been underutilized and is not designed for year round activity and programming. Redesigning City Plaza as Raleigh’s front porch provides an opportunity to welcome guests to North Carolina’s Main Street, celebrating Downtown Raleigh’s unique presence as the state’s capital.
EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC SPACES
Culture, art, and exceptional public spaces should be a fundamental aspect of Downtown Raleigh’s fabric. Elevating art, adding to our greenspaces and celebrating our unique qualities as the state’s capital all provide opportunities to enhance foundational strengths and continue to build momentum for a thriving urban center.
A BOLD CONNECTION TO DIX PARK
WOULD LINK INVESTMENT IN AN
ICONIC EMERGING DISTRICT WITH
There is significant potential to better utilize public space in close proximity to downtown. Both Dix Park and the State Government campus provide opportunities to enhance vibrancy and to link North Carolina’s Main Street with planned future city-wide investments. Physically linking our community with green infrastructure and removing barriers for people-centered mobility will allow our downtown community to evolve and grow into the future.
Downtown to Dix Park Connection
ENHANCED CONNECTIONS
Downtown’s streets and thoroughfares are dangerous by design. Rethinking our streets to create a sustainable city center that puts people first would fundamentally change the way our urban environment functions and feels. Connecting key destinations with all-ages-and-abilities, multi-modal infrastructure provides a generational opportunity to better serve all users.
We have an opportunity to rethink how we allocate right of way to better serve all users while advancing sustainability goals to decrease automotive dependency in our market and better connect districts currently separated by automotive thoroughfares.
The northern edge of downtown would benefit from creating an iconic gateway along Peace Street that provides more active uses and better integrates the state government campus within downtown.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & RETAIL
The strategy outlines how we can work to create a thriving downtown retail environment through entrepreneurship, tenanting and a specialized ecosystem to support our small business and MWBE communities. Celebrating Raleigh’s status as the state capital, diversifying retail opportunities to address merchant needs, and re-tooling policies and processes to support businesses will help our downtown flourish.
RETAIL TENANTING
Celebrating our small business community while also thinking about a tenanting strategy to expand our retail offerings to national and regional brands could enhance foot traffic downtown and create anchor destinations to help support districts with additional patronage.
Each retail street is unique and should be tenanted differently.
MWBE ECOSYSTEM
Downtown Raleigh can have a specific value proposition in developing a specialized ecosystem for MWBEs in industries with existing concentrations, such as storefront merchants and downtown office users in healthcare, administration, and professional services.
Add street-level kiosks to promote entrepreneurship and micro-retail opportunities.
Expand capacity of entrepreneurial support programs and services for Minority- and Women-owned businesses.
EPICENTER OF DESIGN & INNOVATION
Downtown Raleigh is home to the largest concentration of architectural, design, digital marketing, and similar firms in the county and the Triangle overall. Creating a series of initiatives that highlight this important sector and position downtown as the Creative and Design Center of the Triangle broadens the overall business brand and appeal of downtown.
Linking NC State University and downtown as complimentary innovation centers through both physical connections, collaborative partnerships, and the concept of an Innovation Triangle within the Triangle can increase
the competitiveness of both locations. Establishing a more robust presence from adjacent academic institutions in our downtown core will enable more fluid partnerships to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and create a thriving center for growth.
Opportunities are also present for Downtown Raleigh to work with local partners to advance speculative life science spaces through redevelopment or spec built new construction facilities, further bolstering this industry and creating additional opportunities for growth in our market.
Position Downtown Raleigh as the “Creative + Design Center of the Triangle”
Create an "Innovation Triangle in The Triangle" linking NC State University and downtown
Evaluate speculative life science wet lab space options to stimulate industry growth downtown
INNOVATION TRIANGLE WITHIN THE TRIANGLE
Read the full 48-page Economic Development Strategy online.
See following page for implementation progress in 2025.
2025 IMPLEMENTATION UPDATES
FAYETTEVILLE STREET STREETSCAPE
Fayetteville Street experienced notable investment in 2025, with several new storefront businesses opening on the street. Building on this momentum, the City of Raleigh is conducting a streetscape design project that will upgrade sidewalks, expand space for outdoor dining, and reimagine City Plaza — unlocking the corridor’s full potential as Raleigh’s signature gathering place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
MOORE SQUARE ENHANCEMENTS
Moore Square advanced its role as a year-round family-friendly destination with new interactive musical instruments, furniture and small-scale shade elements, creating stronger connections with nearby anchors like Marbles Kids Museum. These investments further position the park as a vibrant space for families, programming, and community gatherings.
REENVISIONING NASH SQUARE
A planning effort is underway to address needed maintenance and explore enhancements that will give Nash Square greater purpose and function. The initiative aims to reinvigorate this historic public space while balancing ecology, community use, heritage, and modern urban life.
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT ADVANCES
Major tourism investments of the 6,000-seat Red Hat Amphitheater relocation and expansion, 600-room Omni Convention Hotel, and 300k SF convention center expansion are moving forward with anticipated completions in 2027, 2028, and 2029 respectively. These projects will anchor an emerging Arts & Entertainment district on downtown’s southern end.
2-HOUR FREE PARKING PILOT
The City of Raleigh launched a 2-hour free parking pilot in five city-owned decks. This program helps people more easily park downtown during the week, stay for longer, and support downtown’s local, independent businesses.
© Carolina Standard
ARTISTIC WAYFINDING
Raleigh Arts launched an artist-in-residence program to create wayfinding signs that help visitors navigate downtown’s top destinations. Downtown Raleigh’s worldclass museums are all within a 10-minute walk, and a designated family-friendly route will better connect them with public art and placemaking features. The goal is to make downtown easier to explore and more engaging for families.
UNDER THE S-LINE
In collaboration with the City of Raleigh’s Urban Projects Group and other partners, DRA commissioned a student-lead conceptual design project with the NC State University Pappas Program to study opportunities for activation and connectivity along West Street, underneath and adjacent to the 3-block long elevated rail trestle planned as part of the Raleigh to Richmond: S-Line Rail project.
DOWNTOWN MOBILITY STUDY
Set to complete this year (2025), this study updates the 2018 Downtown Transportation Plan — identifying priority east-west bike and pedestrian corridors, better reflecting current modal priorities for streets, and incorporating planned Bus Rapid Transit routes to enhance access, connectivity, and mobility throughout Downtown.
NORTH CAROLINA’S MAIN STREET LIGHTS
All 88 trees along Fayetteville Street — from the State Capitol to Lenoir Street — are now outfitted with lights on their trunks and major limbs. This lighting enhancement, sponsored by Duke Energy and funded through private contributions via Raleigh Civic Ventures, strengthens Downtown’s visual identity, elevates public space activation, and supports momentum in revitalizing our signature corridor.
RETAIL INCUBATOR RE-LAUNCHES
DRA’s award winning Pop-Up Shops program relaunched in a new space on Wilmington Street in August 2025, providing an opportunity for new retail concepts to test space in Downtown Raleigh. Since 2022, four Pop-Up Shops participants have gone on to expand into brick-and-mortar locations of their own.
2025 BOARD, STAFF & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
OFFICERS + EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Skip Hill Chair Highwoods Properties
Mike Munn Vice Chair/Chair-elect McAdams Company
Paulette Dillard Immediate Past Chair Shaw University
Emily Williams Treasurer Truist
Britt Thomas Secretary Marbles Kids Museum
Joseph ‘Bo’ Dempster, Jr. Legal Counsel
Poyner Spruill
Tia McLaurin
At-Large Downtown Resident (511 Faye)
Derrick Remer At-Large Duke Energy
Bill King President & CEO* DRA
*Ex-Officio
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Roxanne Coffey Office Manager
Nicole Drake Events Project Manager
Will Gaskins VP of Economic Development & Planning
Kimberley Jones Special Assistant
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicholle Allen-Steele K&L Gates
Tiffany Barrier CBRE
Natalie Batten Accenture
Chris Budnick Healing Transitions
Stacey Buescher Kane Realty Corp.
Pete Byers AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown
Adrienne Cole Raleigh Chamber*
Janet Cowell City of Raleigh*
Denny Edwards Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau*
David Ellis Wake County*
Anna Grace FitzGerald Copperline Plant Company
Kassia Gibbs Empire Properties
Ruffin Hall Dix Park Conservancy*
Yvette Holmes Southeast Raleigh Promise
Bill King President & CEO
John Nelson Safety Manager
Elizabeth Martini VP of Finance & Operations
Lucy McInnis Director of Creative Programming & Activations
Charlie Ibarra Cuya Cocina Latina
Carly Jones Artspace
Kathleen Makena Makena Skin Care
LT McCrimmon APCO Worldwide
Rebecca Quinn-Wolf PNC
Evan Raleigh City of Raleigh*
Davis Roach Smith Anderson
Chris Roberts LS3P
Lauren Romer Raleigh Founded
Gregg Sandreuter HM Partners
Jamie Schwedler Parker Poe
Danny Seaton Ferguson
Felicia Trujillo Food Seen
Owen Williams Williams Realty & Building Co.
Ileana Rodriguez VP of Communications & Community Relations
Gabriel Schumacher Director of Research
Mary Sell Director of Planning & Transportation
Xenna Smith Digital Communications Manager
Kate Turley Small Business Program Manager
Ben Yellin
Storefront Marketing Manager
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CBRE
City of Raleigh: Planning & Development; Urban Projects Group; Parks and Recreation; Public Works; Office of Sustainability; Office of Transportation Planning; Special Events Office; Community & Small Business Development; Parking; Transportation; Urban Forestry CoStar
GoRaleigh and GoTriangle
Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau
JLL
Monarch Realty
National Science Foundation
North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
Placer.ai
Raleigh Chamber
Raleigh Convention Center
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
Ray Aull, City of Raleigh
STR Global
Triangle MLS, Inc.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau
Wake County: GIS, Tax Administration Department
Wake County Economic Development
For errata visit: DowntownRaleigh.org
This report was authored by Will Gaskins and Gabriel Schumacher.
The layout and design were created by Stacey Simeone. www.staceysimeone.com
