Fenton development aims to be 'experience' for Cary residents
A major mixed-use development in Cary is gearing up for its grand opening this summer.
Fenton, which is located across from the old Cary Town Center, will hold a grand opening event on June 4-5. Prior to that, some retailers at the development will open on April 29.
Developers said they're in the first phase of the massive project.
"This is seven years worth of work for us. Being at this point where it's coming out the ground and it's about to open, it's hugely exciting," said developer Abbit Goodwin.
Construction on the massive development broke ground in late 2020.
There wasn't anything like this in Cary," said Goodwin. "We felt like there was room, and we also bought this property from the state of North Carolina."
The development will have shopping, dining, office space, apartments, a movie theater and zero-gravity seating. There will also be an open space for concerts and an ice-skating rink during the holidays.
Developers said apartments are expected to be ready in July, and will be available for leasing 30 days prior to being ready. Most of the apartments will have balconies and residents will have access to a pool above a retail podium.
"There will be a fully functional ice rink from Thanksgiving until Valentine's Day," said Goodwin.
Some of the restaurants that are coming to the space include Crawford Brothers' Steakhouse, Honeysuckle Gelato and M Sushi. Bailey's Fine Jewelry
Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht welcomes the project, which is considered one of the largest in town history.
"It's exciting. We've been talking about this property and it's been years in the making," he said. "[We've] seen several evolutions. We've traveled out of state to see some of the ideas they had in mind ... to see it come to fruition, to see it come out of the ground is exciting."
The project is down the road from what used to be Cary Towne Center Mall, which closed in January 2021 after being purchased by Epic Games to be used as their new headquarter.
Locals and developers now see the Fenton development as the future for brick and mortar.
"To have this new development here, it would really be a wonderful thing for the community," said Wake County resident Sandra McNeil.
"Not only are you going to shop, you're going to experience something, whether it be food, drink, retail, shopping, [it's] just a good time to walk around. It's going to be an experience and that's what's going to make this place special," said Weinbrecht.
Weinbrecht said the town of Cary has grown at a steady pace over the last few years.
"We can expect the population to double in this area in the next 20-30 years," he said. "If you think you've seen growth now, you haven't seen what's coming. It's going to change a lot."
As the population continues to skyrocket, developers hope Fenton will turn into a destination spot for residents.
"Shop, dine and play — that's what we're looking for," said Goodwin.
