Rezoning request gives another peek at the Lenovo Center's future
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Photo: City of Raleigh
A rezoning application for the Lenovo Center property asks the City of Raleigh for permission to build up to 40 stories around the arena.
Why it matters: The application — already approved by the Centennial Authority and state Department of Administration — is the latest peek at what the Carolina Hurricanes' $1 billion Sports and Entertainment District could look like.
Driving the news: The application details a potentially massive project, giving Canes owner Tom Dundon and his development partners flexibility to build more than 4,000 apartments and nearly 3 million square feet of non-residential space.
- The existing zoning allows for up to 12 stories of height.
Zoom in: The Lenovo Center, formerly PNC Arena, is already set for significant renovations that are being paid for by public money.
- But the rezoning focuses on transforming the roughly 80-acre area around the arena, which is mostly parking lots, into a dense sports and entertainment district.
The application is broken down into four subdistricts:
- Subdistrict A includes the arena itself and some surface parking lots.
- Subdistrict B is the entertainment district between the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium. This area would contain a music venue, tailgating areas and restaurants, and building heights between 3 and 15 stories.
- Subdistrict C, located along Edwards Mill Road, would be reserved mostly for apartments and retail with heights up to 40 stories.
- Subdistrict D, located near the intersection of Edwards Mill and Wade Avenue, would include more office and residential buildings up to 40 stories tall.
What's next: The Canes hope to get the rezoning approved in time to begin construction in December 2025.
- The rezoning process will take several months, putting its ultimate approval before the next Raleigh City Council, whose makeup will be decided by voters in November.
- Traffic on Wade Avenue, a key artery for traffic into the city, will likely be an issue the council will examine, with Hurricanes CEO Brian Fork previously mentioning the project will likely require new entrances along Wade Avenue and Edwards Mill Road.
The first phase of construction would include:
- An expanded plaza for tailgating and a 600-foot promenade lined with tailgating suites
- More than 200,000 square feet of retail
- 150,000 square feet of office space
- A 150-room hotel
- More than 500 apartments
- Two parking garages
- A 4,300-seat music venue run by Live Nation