Date and Time
- Thursday, May 7, 2026 8am - 10am
Details
Downtown Forward: New Momentum in Downtown Raleigh’s Office Market
Introducing Downtown Forward, a new event series from Downtown Raleigh Alliance. Join us as we convene the decision-makers who are actively shaping Downtown Raleigh for real conversations about what’s driving the city’s growth.
Join us for the first event in the series on May 7th. We'll take on the Downtown Raleigh office market, which has outpaced national trends in its post-pandemic recovery. We’re seeing new momentum and growth as several major tenants have expanded and new businesses are investing in downtown.
Hear directly from the business leaders who are betting on Downtown Raleigh and learn why they’re doubling down.
Thursday, May 7th
8 - 10 am
Hosted by Smith Anderson in their new event space on the top floor of the 150 Fayetteville Building
Address: 150 Fayetteville St, #2800
Tickets are $50
About the Event:
Our first session is aimed at de-mystifying our office market and gaining a better understanding of what is driving our leasing momentum. With recent expansions by employers like Smith Anderson and Rapid Scale, new market entries like BuildOps, and more exciting lease announcements forthcoming in 2026, Downtown Raleigh’s office market is seeing a resurgence.
This session will separate perception from reality through a data-informed overview of the evolution of office space in Downtown Raleigh and two panel discussions.
The first panel will examine why companies across legal, technology, and design sectors are choosing to grow in Downtown Raleigh, highlighting the role of talent, workplace strategy, and location advantages.
The second panel will explore how owners and developers are responding, from positioning assets to investing in mixed-use environments and shaping the next generation of office product.
Grounded in real examples of leasing activity and capital investment, these perspectives will provide a clearer understanding of current market dynamics and explore Downtown Raleigh’s position as a leading center for employment and innovation.
Seating is limited for this new space. Click here to purchase your ticket today.
Event Panelists:
Event Agenda:
8:00 am: Networking & Continental Breakfast
8:30 am: Welcome
8:40 am: Panel #1: Downtown Employers & Expanding Tenants
9:15 am: Panel #2: Downtown Office Owners & Operators
9:45 am: Closing & Networking
Sponsorship opportunities available for the event and series. Contact Ileana Rodriguez, Vice President of Communications and Community Relations for information.
