After years of drama—lawsuits, pandemic chaos, and city council rejections—Raleigh’s $2.2 billion Downtown South development ultimately targets a late 2026 groundbreaking. Kane Realty’s massive project between South Saunders and Wilmington streets will feature up to 23 high-rises, some hitting 40 stories, plus a 15,000-seat soccer stadium without an actual MLS team. The development promises 14 acres of green space and enough towers to reshape Raleigh’s skyline, assuming nothing else goes sideways.
Downtown South is happening. After years of delays, lawsuits, and pandemic-induced chaos, Kane Realty‘s massive 140-acre development south of downtown Raleigh might actually break ground by the end of 2026. That’s right, might. Developer John Kane confirmed the potential timeline, though anyone who’s followed this saga knows better than to hold their breath.
Kane Realty’s 140-acre Downtown South might break ground by 2026, but don’t hold your breath.
The project’s been through hell. COVID-19 hit, financing dried up, and suddenly everyone had to rethink what a multi-billion-dollar development meant in a world where nobody wanted to leave their homes. The Raleigh City Council initially shot down proposals over equity concerns. Then Charlotte snagged the MLS team everyone thought was coming to Raleigh. Ouch. A small business even sued in March 2021, dragging the whole thing through the NC Court of Appeals. The lawsuit hearing was scheduled for February 2023, though the outcome hasn’t stopped the project’s momentum.
But here’s what’s still on the table: up to 23 high-rise structures, including towers reaching 40 stories. A 12,000 to 15,000-seat soccer stadium that Steve Malik’s still pushing for, even without that MLS team. Malik owns the Carolina Courage women’s soccer team, keeping his soccer dreams alive in the Triangle. A 3,500-capacity entertainment venue that AEG Presents wants to lease. Plus 14 acres of green space, because apparently developers identified people like parks.
The initial phase alone includes a 24-story apartment building and a 27-story office tower. There’s talk of mass-timber office buildings, adaptive warehouse reuse, and enough retail to make your credit card weep. The whole thing sits between South Saunders Street and Wilmington Street, right where I-440 and I-40 meet. It’s a short bike ride to Dorothea Dix Park and NC State’s Centennial Campus, assuming you survive Raleigh traffic.
The $2.2 billion price tag hasn’t gotten smaller. Kane Realty’s scrambling for financing while trying to partner with the City of Raleigh and Wake County. They bought the remaining land after approval, so they’re all in now.
The development could host events for the 2029 World University Games. Could. Everything about Downtown South lives in the conditional tense. But after years of false starts, at least there’s ultimately a date on the calendar. Sort of.