What’s next for North Hills? Developer unveils new expansion details for Raleigh district

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Developers behind a major expansion of Raleigh’s North Hills district are unveiling new renderings and details showcasing what they describe as the next chapter of the growing area.

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Kane Realty and McCourt Partners on Tuesday shared additional insight into their vision for the 28-acre expansion area between Navaho Drive and Interstate 440, which Kane Realty acquired in January as part of a $72 million purchase.

The expansion pushes development farther east toward I-440 and Wake Forest Road as part of a broader long-term transformation of North Hills that has already sparked debate over growth, density and infrastructure in the area.

Earlier this year, the Raleigh City Council approved a separate rezoning request from Kane Realty that allows for additional high-rise development across more than 11 acres near Six Forks Road, Lassiter Mill Road and The Circle at North Hills. The rezoning permits buildings ranging from 10 to 37 stories while keeping overall development density capped at roughly 3 million square feet.

Kane Realty has previously described the strategy as an effort to build upward instead of outward, allowing for more open space, walkability and mixed-use development within North Hills.

Developers said the long-term vision for the North Hills Innovation District centers around creating “a more connected, walkable, and nature-integrated district.”

“The vision behind North Hills Innovation District has always been about creating a place where people can work, live, gather and connect in meaningful ways,” Warner Kuppin, chief development officer for Kane Realty, said in a statement on Tuesday. “This next phase allows us to extend that vision with a thoughtful mix of residential, hospitality, office, retail, open space and mobility enhancements that strengthen the district while creating new connections to the surrounding community.”

Among the centerpiece projects planned for the district is Vesper, a 20-story residential tower featuring 357 apartment homes and five levels of structured parking. Developers said the tower will include penthouse residences, a fitness and wellness amenity suite, sixth-floor outdoor space and a rooftop pool and gathering area on the 20th floor.

Adjacent to the tower site, Kane Realty is pursuing plans for a hotel with more than 200 rooms that could include a rooftop bar, street-level restaurant space and valet parking. Both developments would connect directly to a planned greenway extension from St. Albans Drive that will eventually link into Raleigh’s broader Greenway network.

The company has also filed site plans for its first two expansion projects along Navaho Drive. One project, called Veranda, would bring 207 units of housing for adults ages 55 and older to the district, while a second development called Merit would include 387 apartment units above two levels of parking and roughly 10,000 square feet of retail space.

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Kane Realty said it is also exploring workforce housing opportunities as part of the broader expansion. Earlier rezoning agreements tied to North Hills included affordable housing contributions and requirements intended to address Raleigh’s continued population growth and housing demand.

“The market is telling us that there’s a real demand for housing at every stage of life,” Drew Yates, managing director of development with Kane Realty, said in a statement on Tuesday. “By introducing that diversity of options in an urban, nature-forward setting, we’re not just responding to what Raleigh needs right now; we are building a stronger and more resilient community.”

Construction is already underway on Tributary, a six-story, 332-unit apartment and retail development that broke ground in late February and is expected to open in 2028. The project will include 6,000 square feet of retail space, new greenway connections and amenities such as a digital content creation studio and elevated wellness center.

Kane Realty said the Innovation District is being designed around Big Branch Creek and preserved wetlands, with new trails, pedestrian bridges and greenway connections intended to create a more walkable environment throughout the district.

“Connectivity with Raleigh’s natural environment is at the heart of NHID,” Josie Reeves, head of design and brand strategy with Kane Realty, said in a statement. “From new trail segments to outdoor gathering spaces, we’re focused on creating a district that feels active, accessible, and rooted in its natural setting. We’re already designing what new streamside retail and experiential programming could look like for the next phases.”

As part of the broader expansion, Kane Realty plans to extend Church at North Hills Street and build a new pedestrian and vehicular bridge connecting to Navaho Drive. The company said it is coordinating with the City of Raleigh on future greenway extensions and a planned multi-modal bridge crossing over Interstate 440.

Traffic and infrastructure concerns have remained a recurring issue throughout North Hills’ continued growth, particularly among nearby residents worried about congestion along Six Forks Road and surrounding neighborhoods. Kane Realty has previously said roadway improvements and additional traffic flow measures are part of the district’s long-term development plans.

The developer also highlighted several upcoming retail additions expected to open this summer, including Benchwarmers Bagels, Standard and InTown Golf Club. Kane Realty said all retail tenants announced within the Innovation District so far have been locally based businesses.

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