A Glimpse into RTP 3.0

Local leaders gathered for the annual joint meeting of EDGE 6 investors and Raleigh Chamber Board of Advisors to hear from Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina President and CEO Scott Levitan. Scott shared an overview of the visionary next phase of development for the catalytic Research Triangle Park (RTP).

As one of the fastest growing MSAs in the United States, the Research Triangle region is projected to grow by 50% in population – adding one million residents by 2050. Encompassing 7,000 acres, RTP is a unique asset that can help the Triangle region accommodate growth in a smart, sustainable and equitable way.

Over the course of 65 years, RTP has transformed from its visionary beginnings into one of the world's most successful research parks. Working in close coordination with county, city, university and RTP company partners, the Foundation is actively shaping RTP 3.0 as a collaborative planning process to set a 50-year vision for Research Triangle Park.

The future of RTP is multifaceted. One of the first priorities is ushering in RTP’s new vibrant downtown, Hub RTP. Many locals are familiar with two destinations that already reside within Hub RTP’s 100 acres: Boxyard RTP, the experiential shipping container destination with hyperlocal restaurant and retail vendors, and Frontier RTP, the entrepreneurial office space and free coworking space community. The next phase of development includes Horseshoe, a mixed use restaurant, retail and office project, as well as MAA Nixie, the first residential development within the park since its inception.

Once completed, Hub RTP will include 1M square feet of office and life science space, 32K square feet of experiential retail, 1,200 residential units, 279 hotel rooms, and 16K acres of greenspace.

Looking toward the future, the RTP 3.0 plan is designed to serve as a flexible framework for future development, offering multiple new potential place types for all RTP landowners. While the development options have been static in the past, the new plan envisions enhanced corporate campuses, residential neighborhood developments, and mixed-use density nodes.

The RTP 3.0 plan has six core pillars of success:

1. Diversify Users: Introduce housing and mixed-use development to form live-work-play environments.
2. Add Amenities: Introduce placemaking strategies, including open spaces, and public uses to activate and enhance RTP. 
3. Connect Assets: Improve accessibility and mobility through both the built and natural connections, prioritizing sustainable modes of transport.
4. Advance University Research: Partner with RTP's founding Universities to advance cutting-edge research investments in the Triangle region.
5. Create Inclusivity and Resiliency: Structure development to promote social, environmental, and economic sustainability.
6. Support and Bolster Research & Development: Support and grow biotech, ag-tech, and life sciences, accommodating specific needs for research and development facilities, including security and privacy.

Click here to learn more about RTP 3.0.

Thank you to our EDGE 6 Investors for supporting economic development.