NHL Hurricanes Eyeing Major Stadium-Area Entertainment District

Large developments adjacent to a major sports venue have proven to be hugely successful. Bars, restaurants, retail and apartments now surround well over a dozen pro sports arenas and stadiums. Raleigh wants in on it.

The city received a rezoning request for the Raleigh Sports and Entertainment District detailing the $1 billion development plan around the former PNC Arena that’s being pushed by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. The Raleigh Business Journal reports the proposal calls for a site with four subdistricts holding 4,000 residential units, up to 3 million square feet of non-residential space, such as hotels, with building heights up to 40 stories, parking decks, open space, entertainment and dining areas as well as an enhanced tailgating experience.

The Entertainment subdistrict covers 27 acres and sits between the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium. The rezoning is seeking 40-story heights for the 12-acre area along Edwards Mill Road.

Gale Force Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of the Carolina Hurricanes, is helming the project.