Ground was broken on Hub RTP in 2020, more than $100 million was invested in the district, and businesses are starting to open.
Preeti Waas, a two-time James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast, is the first culinary star to open doors at the new district.
“We’re in the middle of the Research Triangle Park,” said Waas. “This is a little bit more unique and a little bit more tight-knit, and then with a hotel coming and the benefit of all the travelers coming in, that’s our jam.”
The project was designed for RTP’s booming population.
Waas says she’s excited to see the district starting to come alive and that Cheeni Indian Food Emporium is a part of the growth.
“It’s been slow going, but tonight is the first night of our dinner service here at HUB RTP, and I have furious flutters, and I don’t usually get those,” she said.
Other restaurants are gearing up to start construction.
Anthony Rapillo just received his permit to start the work.
Downtown Raleigh’s High Horse, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, is being brought back to life here, and construction is expected to start later this week.
“Yesterday, we finally received our permit,” said High Horse Owner Anthony Rapillo. “We’re going to build a really big center stage that’s going to be a show kitchen that Chef Katsuji will be cooking out of that, will have a view vantage point from everywhere in the restaurant.”
Rapillo is hoping to open by September.
“I think that it will be something really fun and different for the community, and different to kind of complement the other chefs and entrepreneurs that are out here in this space,” said Rapillo. “I definitely think RTP is an untapped potential where there are so many people looking for nice places to eat, maybe for lunch or for a happy hour.”
Chef Christopher Prieto, who received Michelin recognition, is also opening Prime STQ.
Durham County contributed funds to create an open space for everyone to enjoy in the heart of RTP.
“It is the place in the middle of this region that really has the largest workforce. There’s about 22 million square feet of commercial space in RTP,” said RTP Foundation Vice President of Real Estate Carolyn Coia. “A lot of people don’t realize that. You think the largest workspace is maybe in downtown Raleigh or downtown Durham, but it’s really in RTP. So we really need to think about re-envisioning what RTP is for the employees that come out here every single day.”
