close
close

The new parking structures at Lenovo Center could have approximately 1,800 spaces.

The new parking structures at Lenovo Center could have approximately 1,800 spaces.

The Carolina Hurricanes plan to build two three-story parking structures overlooking a new tailgate area and two new buildings, including a concert venue, in the southeast parking lot of the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, according to documents filed with the city.

According to preliminary plans, the smaller north garage will have a total of 733 spaces and the larger south garage will have 1,062 spaces. The structures will be 51 feet 6 inches tall at their highest point.

The plans are called Phase 1A and also include two construction sites: one for a 4,300-seat concert venue operated by Live Nation, and another for retail space and restaurants and bars. In September, the Hurricanes released renderings of the area and included other visuals in the city’s rezoning application.

The new parking structures at Lenovo Center could have approximately 1,800 spaces.
Conceptual image of Raleigh’s sports and entertainment district.

The Hurricanes hope to begin construction of the garages in December 2025.

The affected area is adjacent to the Lenovo Center, across E. Stephen Stroud Road from N.C. State’s Carter-Finley Stadium.

“We have the best parking in college football,” NC State athletics director Boo Corrigan said in August. “People love to talk about other places around the country that have these kinds of waiting areas and these great grounds. I try to remind people right away that it’s because they don’t have parking. This will change. This won’t change tomorrow. Over time, everything will change. As this does change, we will be part of that change, where are the revenue opportunities for the athletic department?”

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has signed a lease to develop up to 80 acres around the Lenovo Center in four phases over the next two decades.

Lenovo Center, formerly known as PNC Arena, is home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and the North Carolina State men’s basketball team. Lenovo signed a 10-year deal worth $60 million and became the naming rights sponsor. The arena will host first- and second-round men’s basketball games in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

The city’s zoning process could take months.

“Everybody wants this to happen,” said Philip Isley, chairman of the Centennial Authority, which owns the arena. “It’s really nice to know how many people are excited about it.”

In addition to developing the area around the arena, the arena will undergo a $300 million renovation project beginning in the summer of 2025.