The Fenton Experience Takes Shape in Cary, N.C.

69-acre mixed-use district lands CMX CinéBistro, Sephora, Free People and Bailey’s Fine Jewelry

RALEIGH, N.C. – Hines, Columbia Development and USAA Real Estate today revealed Fenton has secured several new tenants, adding to its growing mix of shops and restaurants. Sephora, Free People and Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, along with the recently announced CMX CinéBistro, will join the project, which is set to open in fall 2021. Fenton is one of the largest retail-driven projects currently underway in the United States, bringing nearly 345,000 square feet of curated retail space to North Carolina’s Triangle region.

Anchored by Wegmans and CMX CinéBistro, Fenton, located at I-40 and Cary Towne Boulevard, will be Cary’s first vertically integrated, mixed-use destination. With site work underway and vertical construction set to begin next summer, the first phase will include approximately 345,000 square feet of shops, restaurants and entertainment, 170,000 square feet of office space, 350 multifamily residences and a 175-key boutique hotel.

“With its unique design and quality of retailers that have committed, Fenton is unlike any new mixed-use development underway,” said Kenton McKeehan, Senior Managing Director for Hines Retail. “We are prioritizing the street-level experience and curating the right retail mix that features the best in apparel, entertainment and chef talent. We see Fenton’s retail component as an energy driver that sets the stage for the entire mixed-use community.”

In addition to the growing retail mix, the project will introduce an urban, pedestrian-focused experience to the suburban community. Its highly walkable master plan features artful paseos, active restaurant patios, varied storefronts, gathering areas programmed with events and landscapes and hardscapes that contribute to the street-level energy. Nelson Wakefield Beasley, the architecture firm known for immersive, mixed-use projects such as Avalon and Atlantic Station in metro Atlanta, is the design firm of record.

“Our vision for Fenton is to cultivate a memorable, walkable and welcoming community that sets a new standard in the industry,” said Dotan Zuckerman, Director of Leasing at Columbia Development. “We’ve been very thoughtful about how we integrate each component at Fenton, paying close attention to how the world-class retail and restaurant offerings complement the office and residential components.”

The leasing team previously announced an impressive roster of chef-driven restaurants including chef Ford Fry’s tex-mex restaurant Superica, Triangle chef Scott Crawford’s steakhouse concept Crawford Brothers Steakhouse and chef Steve Palmer’s Italian restaurant Colletta.

Since its debut in North America over 20 years ago, Sephora has been a leader in prestige omnichannel retail. The Sephora retail concept at Fenton is rooted in presenting clients with the most curated product assortment featuring over 400 brands, a 4,400-square-foot innovative store design and personalized client services with expertly trained beauty advisors.

Free People, known for its boho-chic offerings, will occupy a 4,000-square-foot space and sell a wide range of products including Free People’s specialty clothing brand, its athleisure line, FP Movement and its well-known vintage collections.

Native to Raleigh, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry will open its fifth North Carolina location at Fenton. The established jeweler will occupy nearly 5,000 square feet and offer a variety of fine jewelry, including custom engagement rings and popular brands such as MICHELE, David Yurman, Elizabeth Locke and John Hardy. Founded by North Carolina residents Clyde Sr. and Ann Bailey in 1948, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry is a family-owned, community-centric guild jeweler with a national reputation.

Zuckerman added, “There is nothing like Fenton in the Triangle region, and our vision for its design, retail mix and overall guest experience will differentiate it from other projects in the market.”

Stay up-to-date on Fenton’s progress, share feedback and engage on social media by following @FentonNC. For more information, visit fentonnc.com.

About Hines:

Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence in 219 cities in 23 countries. Hines has approximately $124.3 billion of assets under management, including $63.8 billion for which Hines provides fiduciary investment management services, and $60.5 billion for which Hines provides third-party property-level services. The firm has 148 developments currently underway around the world. Historically, Hines has developed, redeveloped or acquired 1,362 properties, totaling over 449 million square feet. The firm’s current property and asset management portfolio includes 514 properties, representing over 222 million square feet. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a pioneering commitment to sustainability, Hines is one of the largest and most respected real estate organizations in the world. Visit www.hines.com for more information.

About USAA Real Estate:

The mission of USAA Real Estate is to strengthen the profitability and diversity of the USAA investment portfolio and those of its investor clients by acquiring, developing, financing and managing quality real estate investments. The portfolio consists of office, industrial/logistics, multifamily, retail and hotel properties. Visit www.usrealco.com for more information.

About Columbia Development:

Columbia Development is a privately held real estate development firm based in Columbia, South Carolina, with offices in Atlanta, Charleston, and Raleigh. With vast experience in site selection, development, finance, construction and leasing, Columbia Development is a leading retail and mixed-use developer throughout the Southeast. The firm is actively engaged in the development of mixed-use destinations, regional and neighborhood shopping centers and single-tenant retail assets. Columbia Development’s current pipeline includes a 69-acre regional mixed-use community in Cary, North Carolina, a 326,850-square-foot grocery-anchored power center in New Bern, North Carolina, a 235,477-square-foot Costco-anchored shopping center in Apex, North Carolina, and a 143,850-square-foot grocery-anchored center in Lexington, South Carolina.

For more information, please visit www.columbiadevelopment.com.