What’s left of the old Cary Towne Center sits vacant, surrounded by fences.

Once Epic Games bought the property, the plan was to complete its new headquarters by 2024.

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Two years later, there has been no new development.

“I'd hate to be living near it,” said Patricia Forrest, who used to live in Cary.

“They took away the mall, and they haven't done anything since then,” Shirley Robinson said. “It’s kind of sad.”

WRAL Investigates asked Epic Games:

  • What is Epic Games' plan for the old Cary Towne Center?
    • Does the company plan to keep holding onto the property? 
      • Will Epic Games reapply for zoning in the future?
        • Some call the Cary Towne Center an eyesore. What is the company's response to people frustrated by the lack of development there so far? 

          A company spokesperson, Cat McCormack, would only say: “We don’t have any updates to share on our plans for the Cary Towne Center but continue to maintain the property and its security. We’ve engaged with the town manager’s office and economic development representatives since we purchased the property.”

          Here’s a timeline of the Cary Towne Center:

          2014: Sears announces closure at Cary Towne Center

          2015: Cary’s Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved a rezoning request to allow Topgolf to move into the old Sears location. That same year, the company pulled out of its plans due to community pushback.

          2017: Cary Town Council unanimously approved plans to build an IKEA on part of the Towne Center property.

          2018: Then-town manager Sean Stegall confirmed IKEA would not be coming to Cary.

          2020: Wake County and Raleigh City Council approved funding for a sports complex at the Towne Center. Cary initially planned to locate the facility in Cary Towne Center but later shifted the planned location to South Hills. That project was also delayed after residents voted down a bond referendum.

          2021: Epic Games purchased Cary Towne Center for its new headquarters.

          2025: WRAL learned the rezoning request was withdrawn due to “inactivity.”

          “Ten years ago, my kids and I went to the Cary Towne Center a lot because there's playground in the mall,” said councilmember Bella Huang. “When it's gone, we were expecting a new construction will be there, maybe a sports venue, maybe a shopping center, but nothing had been changed over the years.”

          Huang said the town has no authority over the property.

          “It's private land, so the town couldn't do anything with it,” Huang said. “We couldn't do anything to force them to develop their land, but our community residents could talk to them.”

          Huang said she did not have luck reaching out to the company. However, Town Manager Scot Berry said he talks with representatives with Epic Games “from time to time.”

          McCormack said, "We chose to headquarter Epic Games in Cary and it is the center of our operations and is the largest hub for our employees."

          The company's current headquarters is on Crossroads Boulevard. Last month, Epic Games announced major cuts, including the layoffs of 1,000 workers.

          “[It's] especially frustrating for me, not only for me,” Huang said. “I think a lot of residents see that's a premium location in Cary, and across the road is Fenton. Look at the Fenton now. It's very popular, and we would love to see something great at the old Cary Towne Center area.”