The Weekly Take from CBRE Like a Hurricane: Raleigh’s incredible CRE growth (and hockey team)
Feb 17, 2026
Adrienne Cole, CEO of the Greater Raleigh Chamber, driving regional economic development. Brian Fork, CEO of the Carolina Hurricanes, leading the Lenovo Center and arena-driven redevelopment. They discuss the $1B mixed-use arena district built via a complex public-private ground lease. They cover Raleigh’s talent pipeline from top universities, multi-node growth patterns, transit and parking strategies, and how the arena anchors year-round activation.
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Regional Fan Footprint
- The Hurricanes draw season-ticket fans from across multiple states, creating a wide regional fan base.
- The arena's central highway location makes it accessible within a 45-minute drive for many fans.
Competitive Cost Position
- Raleigh remains relatively low-cost: roughly 3% below the national average, making it competitive vs. peer Sunbelt cities.
- Rising costs reflect success but still preserve a cost advantage for newcomers.
Protect Tailgating In Redevelopment
- Preserve tailgating when redeveloping by replacing most parking and designing decks to maintain culture.
- Require event parking minimums and coordinate with NC State to protect game-day traditions.