NorthSide Center a Future 20-Story Development Across from Raleigh Wegmans

The new owners of a large assemblage abutting the Raleigh Wegmans have big plans for the property as the future of Midtown takes shape.

Earlier this month, Charlotte-based Spectrum Companies and FCA Partners filed a rezoning request for the North-side Center in Midtown to allow for the development of a new mixed-use destination up to 20 stories high and with a focus on urban residential and office space.

The companies bought the 33-acre property in January for $59 million. The property was 95 percent occupied at the time.

The park has 14 mixed-use office and industrial buildings off Wake Forest Road. The property is populated by a collection of office, government and industrial tenants across 549,000 square feet of available space.

The site is currently zoned for industrial mixed-use up to three stories and features 5.5 million square feet of commercial space. The new rezoning would limit future development's potential height but not square footage, and uses could include creative office, multifamily and limited retail.

No design or development plans have yet been finalized, though filings with the city say the rezoning would allow for urban mixed-use development complete with residential and office space.

At a June 4 neighborhood meeting held online, the companies explained that no mix of uses or limitations on square footage have yet been determined.

Developers also plans to feature public space and pedestrian and bicycle paths throughout the site, connecting to surrounding properties and beyond as the city’s plans for midtown Raleigh take shape.

A report released earlier this year found Raleigh residents want a more walk-able Midtown and laid out steps to begin working toward that goal. This includes greater pedestrian connectivity around and even across the beltline, something a representative for the owners says the company would be interested in capitalizing on.

TBJ