New Amenities enhance vibrancy and sense of community on NC State’s Centennial Campus
New amenities and public art are enhancing the Venture and Alliance complex, a 650,000-square-foot cluster of office and research buildings located on North Carolina State University’s (NC State) Centennial Campus in Raleigh. Popular alumni-owned 321 Coffee has now opened its shop at Venture Place, just as Spark of Life, an expansive mural by artist John Pugh, is completed along the building’s exterior. A JLL team comprised of Managing Directors Hillman Duncan and Dennis Hurley and Vice Presidents Taylor McCuiston and Patti Autry handle office leasing for six office buildings on the campus, known as Venture Center One, Two, Three and Four, Venture Place and Alliance One, on behalf of Lincoln Property Company (Lincoln).
The Spark of Life mural spans the side of the Venture Place building and depicts an interpretation of the emergence of AI through imagery of the mythical Greek Goddess Artemis, who is breaking down the walls of the building to see what lies beyond. The mural explores themes of technology and innovation while embodying NC State’s “Think and Do” mantra. Spark of Life was curated by Simon Griffiths and world-renowned artist John Pugh was selected to complete the mural.
Additionally, the building recently celebrated the grand opening of 321 Coffee, a locally acclaimed coffee shop that provides employment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Last month, 321 Coffee hosted its official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The opening celebration included remarks from Co-Founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans, as well as NC State Chancellor, Dr. Randy Woodson.
“Today’s office workers value being part of energized, highly amenitized environments,” said David Connor, Senior Vice President with Lincoln. “The opening of 321 Coffee and completion of Spark of Life are exciting new components within the Centennial Campus setting that contribute to the campus’ identity as a dynamic, community-focused destination that tenants, partners, and the greater NC State and local community can enjoy.”
Located 1.5 miles from downtown Raleigh, and adjacent to Dix Park, NC State’s Centennial Campus is a globally recognized public-private innovation ecosystem where students, faculty, government and industry partners collaborate to advance North Carolina and the nation. Tenants in the Venture and Alliance complex have access to top-tier amenities throughout the campus, including a state-of-the-art fitness center located in Venture I, regular food truck vendors, and a robust calendar of social, intellectual and recreational program opportunities. Centennial Campus also offers unparalleled access to outdoor spaces and amenities including miles of lakeside trails at Lake Raleigh and the Lake Raleigh Woods, the Centennial Bikeway connector and the award-winning Lonnie Poole Golf Course, among others.
“Companies are increasingly gravitating to activated office destinations that offer immediate access to food, beverage and outdoor amenities,” said JLL’s Duncan. “As demand for premium space continues to increase, the office buildings’ strategic location, access to talent and proximity to Downtown Raleigh will ensure its continued success.”
According to JLL research, Raleigh-Durham’s office market is expected to face heightened competition for premium spaces over the next several quarters. With the construction pipeline at historic lows and no groundbreakings on the horizon, demand for new, well-located office space is expected to intensify. JLL predicts Class-A office space, such as the buildings within Centennial Campus, will continue to see robust leasing momentum.
About JLL
For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $20.8 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 110,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.
About Lincoln Property Company
Lincoln Property Company (“Lincoln”) is one of the largest private real estate firms in the United States. Offering a fully integrated platform of real estate services and innovative solutions to owners, investors, lenders and occupiers, Lincoln supports the entire real estate lifecycle across asset types, including office, life science, retail, industrial, data center, production studio, healthcare, government, universities, and mixed-used properties, throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. Lincoln’s combined management and leasing portfolio on behalf of institutional clients includes more than 557 million square feet of commercial space. In addition to providing third-party real estate services, Lincoln has completed over 150 million square feet of development since its inception in 1965 and has another $20 billion currently under construction or in the pipeline. For more information, visit: www.lpc.com.
About NC State’s Centennial Campus
NC State’s Centennial Campus is a globally recognized public–private innovation hub where students, faculty, government and industry partners collaborate to advance North Carolina and the nation. Centennial is home to more than 70 government agencies, nonprofit organizations and companies — ranging from multinationals listed on Forbes’ Global 1000 to homegrown startup firms — who work alongside an equal number of university research centers and academic departments. A truly unique learn-live-work-play ecosystem, Centennial Campus offers a dynamic mix of intellectual, recreational and social experiences for the on-campus and local communities. In support of NC State’s mission, this collaborative environment fuels a highly prepared workforce and drives economic development.
