As part of our new Q+A series, we were excited to chat with local developer Jed Byrne (of Capital Associates Management in Raleigh), who you may recognize from conversations on Twitter@OakCityCRE or from his weekly Top Five newsletter. 👋 Welcome, Jed.
Jed Byrne | Photo provided
Please describe what you do in the length of a Tweet (240 characters). I work to invest in Raleigh by creating spaces for my neighbors to produce their own special brand of awesome and deliver it to the world. TL;DR — I develop commercial real estate.
How did you get involved in local commercial real estate? My first job in real estate was with Crescent Communities, a multifamily developer based in Charlotte. We built a project in the Village District, as well as a few in Durham. I then moved to a finance role at Highwoods Properties, and now work in development with Capital Associates.
What projects are you currently working on? I’m currently working on an adaptive reuse project. At The Junction at Five Points, we are converting a warehouse into office and retail space. I’m also helping a few tenant clients find space as well as searching for my next projects.
The Junction rendering | Courtesy of Jed Byrne
What is the vision for the Junction? The vision is to create a one-of-a-kind creative office environment. We are showcasing the unique architectural features of the 1950s-era warehouse, including a stunning tongue-and-groove wood ceiling, exposed steel columns, and concrete floor.
To the original structure we are adding an immense amount of natural light by cutting in 50+ windows to the exterior and adding 22 skylights. That mix of original building and natural light creates a beautiful office environment that we are really proud of. Construction began last September, and we’re slated for completion in March 2021.
What is your favorite physical space in Raleigh? I love that our downtown has maintained the original William Christmas Plan of 1792. We have a very walkable downtown grid. When I have free time or if I’m downtown for a meeting I try to take a walk (at least a few extra blocks) and enjoy the pedestrian experience. I just ramble, see the buildings, see the people, and take it all in.
Want to learn more about development in our city? Click the button below to see the rest of our conversation with Jed. 👇
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NEWS NOTES
Weather ○56º | Mostly sunny | 20%chance of rain 🌤️
ComingSoon ○ Wegmans opens a new location in Chapel Hill next Wed., Feb. 24, marking the New York-based grocery chain’s 105th store in our state. The grand opening will implement several health safety measures, including plexiglass at registers + hand sanitizer stations. 🛒 ○ A groundbreaking ceremony will be held later this week (Fri., Feb. 18) for a new resort-style retirement community called Brier Pointe. The community features “all-inclusive” chef-prepared meals, concierge services + weekly housekeeping, and residents can choose from one, two, and three-bedroom apartments — slated to open next year at 5911 McCrimmon Pkwy. in Morrisville. 🏖️
Development ○ The building that houses Goodnights Comedy Club — located at 865 W. Morgan St. — has been sold + local firm HM Partners filed plans last week to redevelop the site as a mixed-use apartment complex, featuring 401 residential units, 513 parking spaces, and 9,000 sqft of retail space. Goodnights is expected to reopen in another location. 🧱 (Triangle Business Journal)
Civic ○ Since the US Census Bureau announced last Friday that there will be a six-month delay in distributing redistricting information to states, local elections officials are looking at a NC law that may delay mayoral municipal elections for Raleigh and Cary. The law allows cities to push back elections to ensure candidates are residents of newly-redrawn districts, based on updated populations. This is a developing story, and we’ll keep you updated as we learn more. 🗳️
Biz ○ In its first funding round since 2008, Durham-based company ProcessMaker — which specializes in creating no-code automation software — has raised $45 million. The company currently employees 140 workers + serves customers such as banks and universities. 💸 (The News & Observer)
Community ○ The Wake County Veterans Services Office located on Falstaff Rd. will be closed this week while staff relocate to a new, permanent facility at 4401 Bland Rd. The new office opens next Tues., Feb. 23 + will be open for walk-ins Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. going forward. 🇺🇸
Job ○ According to CBS 17, the hottest industries currently hiring in our market include manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. In addition, the pandemic and many companies’ shift toward remote work means they’re looking for communications specialists to streamline internal and external messaging. Learn more + apply for open positions here. 💻
Read ○ Local author and entrepreneur Kendra Leonard — former owner of downtown boutique The Art of Style — recently released her second book, mind.body.soul. In this memoir, Kendra explores her own experience as a young mother and widow, as well as looking at ways we can all heal from difficult times. 📘 ○ Durham author Wayne Daye recently published his new historical fiction novel The Ghost of Big Tom: A Saga of An American Family, which explores the life of slaves on a Murfreesboro plantation during the early 19th Century.
Digs ○ A newly-listed five-bedroom home in Raleigh features a state-of-the-art concert hall, modeled on the acoustics of composer Richard Wagner’s home in Germany. Currently listed for $1.5 million, the home is located at 6605 Greywalls Ln. near the Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve. 🎼 (The News & Observer)
RoadTrip ○ Looking for a weekend road trip with safety in mind? Visitors can get away from their normal routines andfind unexpected outdoor activitiesin Columbia — like a bike ride along the riverwalk or a hike through SC’s only national park. Cap it off with a local craft brew and you’ve got a socially-distant change of scenery you won’t want to miss. 🌿 Ⓟ
DYK ○ Do you remember Raleigh’s Light + Time Tower? The $50,000 public artwork made of solar panels was erected near Capital Blvd. in the early 1990s + when artist Dale Eldred died suddenly during the installation, his wife — Roberta Lord — finished the job. You can read more of their story here. ☀️ (WRAL)
TryThis ○ Now through Sun., Feb. 28, Campbell Law School is hosting a travelling exhibit showcasing the lives of First African Americans on the NC Bench. Featuring a timeline of accomplishments for all judges and justices from 1968–2006, the exhibition is open for public viewing at the Wake County Justice Center’s atrium, located at 300 S. Salisbury St. ⚖️
TheBuy ○ Get cozy in these Ponto Shorts — because you’ll never want to take them off. Made with Vuori’s Dreamknit™️ fabric, the Ponto Short is a smooth-as-butter, lightweight short ft. stretchy material + a brushed elastic waistband. Read: Great for running, pilates, or Sunday chillin’. Get 20% off your first purchasehere. Ⓟ
FeaturedJob ○ Renewal by Andersenis looking for experienced subcontractors to install their quality custom-made windows and doors. Interested or want to know more? VIsit their websitehere or email [email protected] for more details.Ⓟ
Click the button below for local resources regarding the coronavirus. ⬇️
We hope you’re enjoying today’s brief respite from the drizzle. ☔ The near-constant rain we saw last week has finally moved through, but forecasters are predicting even more showers Thursday and Friday. So don’t put your wellies away just yet.
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#MUSTDO
Civic ○ City Council Afternoon Session| Tues., Feb. 16 | 1–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Raleigh City Council will meet to handle city-related business + is open to the public.
Learn ○Virtual STEMville: Experiment Expressway| Tues., Feb. 16 | 2–2:45 p.m. | Virtual | $20 | A professional at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will be demonstrating exciting science experiments and answering questions. 🧪
Active ○ White Street Running Club | Tues., Feb. 16 | 7 p.m. | White Street Brewing Company, 218 S. White St., Wake Forest | Free | Each run features two official routes — three and five miles — and runners are invited to stay afterward for beer, food, and socialization. 👟
PlanAhead ○ Wellness Wind-Down | Thurs., Feb. 18 | 6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join our monthly conversation and hear from special guest Melissa Yann as we explore the topic of Expectation. 🧘 ○ Courageous Conversation | Thurs., Feb. 25 | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Virtual | $15 for non-members | The topic for the event is Young, Gifted & Black: Recruiting and Retaining Exceptional Talent and will feature keynote speaker Raven Solomon, along with a panel of college student leaders. 👔
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in any mentioned events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
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