North Hills is and may continue to be a synthetic place due to their heavily pre-planned nature and reliance on major catalyst developments for their initial momentum. Over time, North Hills might evolve into a diverse, self-sustaining urban hub as it achieves the necessary levels of diversity and density. In truth, all cities follow a similar pattern of growth, and it’s the element of time and natural evolution which makes established cities so attractive for continued development—it’s often more practical to enhance an existing city than to build anew.
Downtown Raleigh thrives (for many, at least) because it balances economic activity, cultural vibrancy, and community well-being. Its mix of businesses extends beyond offices to include retail, dining, and entertainment offerings that vary widely in price, type, and scale. Most areas of “downtown” Raleigh are mixed-use and I would say the city is trying to avoiding the “9-to-5” stagnation, which I believe we can see though new businesses emerging in response to increasing foot traffic.
The city is walkable, not to the extent of New York City, but it’s possible to navigate certain areas without relying on a car. As Raleigh expands its public transit options, accessibility and car-free mobility will only improve.
North Hills, under Kane’s stewardship, features mostly new, Class A spaces. While efforts are being made to diversify offerings through initiatives like micro retail shops, farmers markets, and other programs, it’s unlikely to see something like a dive bar in this area. Apartment rents are on the higher end, as expected for such developments, but in long-established cities, there’s a broader range of building lifecycles, resulting in more varied rent options.
Ultimately, Kane is an exceptional place maker who continues to energize Raleigh through transformative projects like Downtown South and smaller-scale developments like Smokey Hollow. However, the essence of a resilient and thriving city lies in the combined efforts of multiple developers, diverse approaches, and organic growth over time.
I would not vote against downtown Raleigh continuing on its path of success!