In 2026, look for the start of construction of the new Lenovo Center district
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Construction work will begin in 2026 on a $300 million arena renovation.
- Phase one in early 2026 adds a third-level View Bar and new even-level clubs.
- A billion-dollar, four-phase mixed-use district aims for phased buildout over 7–10 years.
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It was years in the making and took a lot of politicking and negotiations, but it’s finally happening: The Lenovo Center is getting a major facelift.
In 2026, a lot of work will be done inside. Fans attending Carolina Hurricanes hockey games, N.C. State basketball games and major entertainment events will see signs of the planned $300 million renovation of an arena that opened in 1999, including less-congested concourses and better concession options. In the first phase of the long-awaited enhancement project, a “View Bar” will open on the third level early in 2026 and there will be new even-level clubs.
“What folks won’t see is the back-of-house improvements and expansion on the footprint of the building,” said Hurricanes CEO Brian Fork.
And outside the arena? A billion-dollar mixed-use development area is planned, an ambitious project spurred by Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. When completed in seven to 10 years, the four-phase project will have an outdoor concert venue, offices and restaurants, in what could become a destination spot in West Raleigh.
“Everything with the development is still on track,” Fork said. “We don’t have a specific date on when we’ll be breaking ground, but we anticipate getting phase one out of the ground and construction started in 2026. We’re still piecing through exactly what will go up, and then what gets started being built and what’s finished first are two different things.’’
More parking for Lenovo Center
The first tangible signs of the development, as planned, could be the building of a parking deck southeast of the arena. Two new decks in the first phase of development, when built, could present a football culture change for N.C. State fans, but is not expected to have an impact on parking for the 2026 football season.
“I think they’re excited about the opportunities to come out early, to stay after a game, to be a part of that,” NCSU athletic director Boo Corrigan said of the planned entertainment district. “But until we actually see what that is and how it does change, I think that’s the biggest fear — change.”
All in all, there are extensive plans for remodeling the arena and its surroundings, but it will take time to complete them.
“This is the arena for our state, for our city, for our county, and we have a lot of expectations to enhance this arena and make this very much a 21st century arena,” said Philip Isley, chairman of the Centennial Authority, the arena landlord.
This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "In 2026, look for the start of construction of the new Lenovo Center district."
