Raleigh, N.C.— Chevy Chase, Maryland-based Willard Retail has signed an agreement with the Research Triangle Foundation to acquire a 12-acre parcel located in Research Triangle Park.
The site is at the convergence of Interstate 40, Highway 54 and Davis Drive in Raleigh. Willard Retail plans to develop a 150,000-square-foot town center to serve as the shopping and dining core of Park Center — a large mixed-use development project included more than 1,000 residential units, a hotel, conference center and more than 1 million square feet of office space. Expected to open in late 2020, the new retail component is slated to include a grocery store, health club and a mix of restaurants and small shops. Additionally, the development will feature outdoor public spaces for programmed events such as yoga classes, movie nights and live music. Willard Retail has engaged CBRE|Raleigh to lead the project’s leasing activities.