Wake County's Office Market Soars with Multi-Use Developments

Wake County’s office real estate market is experiencing a significant upswing, driven by a demand for spaces that offer more than just a desk. Today’s companies are looking for offices that seamlessly integrate workspaces with retail, dining, and outdoor amenities, attracting workers back to the office in a hybrid work environment. Developments across Wake County are leading the charge, providing new community destinations to further support the amenities and multi-use spaces that businesses crave.

One North Hills Tower is a 17-story, Class A office building, offering 355,000 square feet of office space surrounded by 40,000 square feet of retail and dining, 1,500 nearby apartments, and four acres of outdoor space. The development’s proximity to tech hubs like the Research Triangle Park and RDU Airport makes it ideal for growing businesses, as evidenced by Parexel establishing its global headquarters here​.

Raleigh Iron Works is a mixed-use development connecting Raleigh’s history to its future through innovative, curated, and dynamic spaces. An adaptive reuse site that was previously home to a Raleigh-based steel company, this redevelopment provides a vibrant live, work, play destination offering an eclectic mix of retail concepts, a growing foodie scene, and ample office space in a historic industrial setting. Serving as a bridge to Downtown Raleigh from this formerly industrial stretch of Atlantic Ave., the Raleigh Iron Works District delivers 71,000 square-feet of retail, restaurant & fitness space, 170,000 square-feet of Class A creative office space and 219 new residential units providing a true community destination suited to today’s office tenants including recently announced Audemars Piguet.

At 1000 Social at the Exchange, businesses are greeted with a 12-story, 353,000 square-foot office tower focused on health, wellness, and professional growth with over 20,000 square-feet of ground floor retail. This innovative space features floor plates optimized for efficiency, LEED and IBI Well certifications in progress, and future amenities like a skybridge and rooftop garden. 1000 Social is part of The Exchange, a dynamic 40-acre mixed use destination primed for innovation. Tenants like GFL Environmental and Whitley Law Firm have already committed to this new landmark, reinforcing The Exchange as a prime location for businesses that prioritize holistic employee well-being.

GlenLake Three, near Crabtree Valley Mall, also represents the future of the office. Its seven-story, 205,000 square-foot tower is tailored for collaboration and innovation, offering features such as the Velocity fitness center, the Spark training room, and a coworking lounge known as the "Living Room." The development seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, complemented by 13,000 square feet of food and beverage retail. McKim & Creed has chosen GlenLake Three as their headquarters, underscoring the appeal of spaces that promote work-life balance​

In Cary, Fenton exemplifies how offices can coexist with community and leisure. The seven-story mixed-use development blends retail, restaurants, and office space, with companies like Burns & McDonnell and Surety Systems committing to Fenton for its dynamic work-play environment. It’s not just about having an office; it’s about creating a destination that fosters a balanced lifestyle.

Finally, 400H in downtown Raleigh is redefining what it means to work in the city. This 20-story tower features five floors of office space with over 10,000 square feet dedicated to collaboration and event space on the 9th-floor SkyHub. This true mixed-use destination features 15,000 square feet of ground level retail and 242 luxury apartment units. Coupled with an outdoor entertainment area and proximity to the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, 400H is designed to recruit and retain top talent in today’s competitive job market​.

As Wake County continues to draw major office investments, from Weatherby Healthcare and Jewelers Mutual Group’s expansion to JT International USA establishing its U.S. headquarters, it’s clear that the Triangle is not just keeping up with office trends—it’s setting the standard. Businesses looking to relocate or expand should look no further than the Triangle, where community, innovation, and work-life balance converge.

This upward trend in real estate reflects not just the return of the office but the reinvention of it. As companies shift to hybrid models, office spaces must become places where workers want to be, with amenities that cater to their needs both in and out of the office. Wake County is at the forefront of this transformation, offering office spaces that inspire productivity and support a thriving business ecosystem.