In Southwest Wake County, right where US-1 begins to give way to the long, lonely stretch of road that leads to Sanford, a multibillion dollar mixed-use development is taking shape that will transform the area.
More than 100 times the size of downtown Apex, developers expect Veridea to attract some 10,000 new residents once every phase of construction and development is completed.
In today’s terms, that’s roughly 12% of Apex’s 2025 population estimate of more than 80,000 people. Thousands of single-family houses, townhomes, and apartments are already on their way within the next few years.
Sidewalks, bike paths, and greenways will connect people to a small retail district and elementary school. And with more than six miles of road also under construction inside the development, it’s easy to imagine the community growing to become its own sort of mini-town within Apex at the Holly Springs town line.
It’s hard to understand the sheer scope of the project until you drive through the dense screen of pine trees bordering the property, revealing a hive of activity. Red dirt road runs in all directions, outlining paths taken by trucks and off-road utility terrain vehicles. Matte yellow bulldozers and excavators move dirt and gravel (about 1 million cubic yards so far).
A year and a half into development, concrete walls are just starting to go up in the industrial park, while the framework for Summit House, a 291-unit apartment complex, is nearly done. But much of the progress that’s been made isn’t visible.
Underground, workers have installed miles of sewer, gas and water lines to support aboveground structures. Those utilities make up about 15% of the entire project, according to Joe Graziose Sr., executive vice president of development for RXR.
“By no stretch is this on cruise control, but it’s not what it was three years ago,” he told The Line. “Now, it’s moving.”
In 2029, Wake Tech hopes to finish moving its Western Wake campus to Veridea, and by the early 2030s, the NC Children’s Hospital is expected to be up and running, two major draws to the development
About 21 acres of land is owned by the Wake County Board of Education, for a future elementary school. Details are scarce for now, but the school is expected to serve around 700 students.
RXR Capital, in collaboration with the town of Apex, has also agreed to build a 25,000 square foot recreation center alongside more than 6 acres of public parks and green space. After the center is finished, “we’re handing the keys to the town,” Graziose said.
There will be a fair amount of office space, along with at least one hotel — Graziose ultimately hopes to build three. In addition to providing a place to stay for families visiting NC Children’s Hospital, the hotel planned for Veridea East will include a “small convention space” for business meetings (much like the ones Graziose has been having for the last three years).
Once Summit House opens to renters and homes start being listed, Graziose expects to pull residents from across the region, he said, along with businesses large and small. National, regional, and local companies have all shown interest in Veridea Crossing, the retail district, he added.
The district includes about 154,000 square feet of retail space in the first phase of development, with more construction slated for the future. All in all, there will be 16 buildings across three blocks, with both retail and office space. The first stores are expected to open at the end of 2028.
“There’s 200% interest in 100% of the product,” Graziose said, adding that several businesses have already taken the first step towards leasing space with letters of intent, or LOIs. “We’ve got about 10 LOIs out right now with food and beverage, office, soft goods, fitness.”
“The coffee shops, the ice cream shops, and so on and so forth. It’s really moving along nicely.”
Veridea’s Expected Development Timeline
2027
- The first industrial buildings in Veridea South open, with about 213,000 square feet of space
- Summit House, a 291-unit apartment complex, opens
2028
- Veridea Crossing, with around 120,000 square feet of retail, opens
- More than 1,000 single-family homes and townhomes by Lennar are up for sale
2029
- A grocery store in Veridea Crossing is expected to open
- Wake Tech Community College’s Western Wake campus opens
2030
- Another multifamily residential development, with some 325 units, opens
- NC Children’s Hospital construction underway
Share your thoughts on Veridea and Apex’s growth at line@theassemblync.com.
