On an especially warm, humid, but dry Friday that had been repeatedly threatened by adverse weather the entire week prior, over 100 Wake Forest leaders and stakeholders attended the June 23 groundbreaking ceremony announcing an ambitious endeavor to repurpose the warehouse at 535 South White Street.
With plans to create an aesthetic and welcoming food-and-beverage-centric space – distinct from the food hall being built nearby on Roosevelt Avenue – it's safe to say that the look and feel of this comparably slower side of Downtown will change considerably over the next 12 months as work gets underway and businesses commit to coming aboard.
Atlas Stark – a Raleigh-based development, leasing, and management company founded in 2017 – purchased the 16,000-square-foot former agriculture storage warehouse built in the 1960s – in the fall of 2021. Hunter Diefes, Director of Development for Atlas Stark, said the space will be completed and open for business – and featuring one already very popular Raleigh eatery – The Cardinal Bar – by this time next year.
"Adaptive reuse is one of our passions," Diefes said, referring to the process of reusing an existing building for a purpose other than which it was originally built. "One of our driving goals is to improve communities and help preserve the character of downtowns."
Diefes said Atlas Stark had been looking at Wake Forest for some time, recognizing how fast it's growing and receiving recognition from national brands like Wegmans and Publix. But while a few good eateries have long been in place, he also saw an opportunity to expand the number of Downtown dining options.
In agreement with municipal leaders, business owners, and residents who weighed in, Diefes concurs with the aggregate assessment that this project will be a great complement to The Loading Dock Wake Forest next door and a bookend for the south side of Downtown, with multiple restaurants, retail, and businesses to fill the space.
In addition to The Cardinal, other options being considered include a wine and bottle shop. Louis Cherry is the project architect, Pabst Design Group will oversee design engineering, and Lynch Mykins are the structural engineers.
"What we have here in the Triangle is a host of diverse, distinct communities with their own identities and advocates for what's already there," Diefes said. "That's what attracted us. Wake Forest has an amazingly engaged citizenry, and we like it when people tell us what the community needs."
While there was no need to rezone, no formal meetings were held, but Diefes said he had spoken with members of the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Vivian Jones, and many others en route to deciding how best to proceed.
As a municipality, Diefes compliments all Town departments for being excellent to work with. "Everyone has been extremely receptive to thoughtful redevelopment. We wouldn't be here doing this if the public wasn't interested."
In keeping with their firm's commitment to maintain the historic character of the structure, Diefes said they will keep the pitched gable roof of the original Welsh building in place. "It's not the cheapest thing, but we're committed to keeping it."
While the purchase price for the building and the amount Atlas Stark plans to invest were not disclosed, demolition and clearing of the interior space have already begun.
Along with garage doors, Diefes said the new structure will feature plenty of light. The landscape architecture around the exterior will also be improved considerably, connecting it to the Northern Regional Senior Center, creating an outdoor dining area, and a paved parking lot. – all planned to enhance Downtown as an even better place to live, work, and play.
"We're actively working to think cohesively and collectively how this and future expansion will best work to transform Downtown," Diefes said. "Wake Forest is just coming into its own after exponential growth over the last 10 years. The Loading Dock has led the way on the south side of Downtown, and we're following suit."
Mayor Jones welcomes the new project. "We're excited to have more food and drink options in Town," she said. "Atlas Stark has been wonderful to work with and we look forward to seeing the completed project next summer."
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business and Industry Partnership worked closely with Atlas Stark to bring this project to fruition. "Hunter and Atlas Stark have been excellent partners, steadfast in their commitment to collaborate with Town leaders and stakeholders and create what works best for Wake Forest," he said. "We are thrilled to have them here and look forward to the success that awaits this important project."
