Blue Ridge Realty has begun construction on a 7,500-square-foot retail addition at The Atrium at Blue Ridge, a 160,000-square-foot office property located on Blue Ridge Road near UNC Rex Hospital. The new retail building is expected to welcome tenants during the first quarter of next year!
The expansion is designed to enhance the property’s amenities by introducing new food and beverage options for office tenants, nearby visitors, and the growing West Raleigh community. Planned uses include a full-service restaurant with a bar, a coffee shop, and potentially an additional restaurant concept, depending on the final tenant mix.
According to Blue Ridge Realty President Joe Meir, the project was driven by increasing demand for walkable dining options in one of Raleigh’s fastest-growing corridors. Recent zoning changes allowing greater density along Blue Ridge Road, combined with evolving workplace expectations, reinforced the opportunity to expand the property with complementary retail.
The new development will feature outdoor seating and landscaped gathering areas to create a more inviting environment for employees and visitors alike. Existing retail tenants at The Atrium include Pita Bowl and Lovejones Stylez Salon.
Blue Ridge Realty has selected TSCG to lead leasing for the project, with a focus on attracting a strong mix of regional, local, and national restaurant operators seeking to expand into the Raleigh market.
The $4.5 million project is being designed by Ci Design and constructed by J.M. Thompson. Blue Ridge Realty is funding the development through a combination of cash and financing from First Bank.
The Atrium at Blue Ridge is currently approximately 90% occupied, with several existing tenants recently expanding their footprint. The retail addition represents another step in Blue Ridge Realty’s continued investment in creating amenity-rich, mixed-use environments throughout the Raleigh market.