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Raleigh Neighborhood Guide: Ironworks District

Yvonne Boulay
Moving to Raleigh? Check out Forge at Raleigh Ironworks.

In the heart of North Carolina’s capital city is a new development set to become one of Raleigh’s most popular neighborhoods. Raleigh Ironworks, spanning an impressive 18 acres off Atlantic Avenue, is breathing new life into the Iron Works District. The city's newest mixed-use destination blends industrial spaces for living, working, and playing with modern ground-floor retail and restaurants. 

So Much To Explore

Raleigh is in the midst of a growth spurt, with an influx of over 5,000 new residents arriving in the Research Triangle each month. This boom has led to the rise of mixed-use communities, with Raleigh Ironworks at the forefront. Unlike the high-rise developments found in larger cities, the neighborhood embraces green spaces, entertainment venues, and pedestrian promenades, all designed to enhance the quality of life for visitors and residents.

The neighborhood was once an operational steel fabrication mill owned by Penden Steel Co. To ensure the neighborhood stays true to the spirit of Raleigh and to pay homage to the site’s history, you will notice industrial touches incorporated into the modern design. This includes using the original steel beams and warehouse structures throughout the property. 

McKenzie Wilson, the director of Raleigh Ironworks commercial leasing, shares her insights: "We’ve curated the retail to include local concepts, ensuring the overall vibe is fundamentally Raleigh. We’ve interwoven playful elements, from a slide to a hidden courtyard, along with swings and readapted elements to create surprise and delight moments throughout the property,”(ABC 11).

An adult slide at at Raleigh Ironworks.

Art

Raleigh Ironworks is a part of the Collision Project, a public arts initiative to transform the neighborhood into a canvas for creative expression. Keep an eye out for large-scale art installations by North Carolinian artists like MCK ONE and Gabriel Eng-Goetz. In addition to the murals, spoken word artist Johnny Lee Chapman, III will perform a creed for Raleigh Iron Works, ‘Iron Code,’ to a live audience in 2024. ‘Iron Code’ is a series of 26 poetic statements scattered throughout the property, each designed to inspire and motivate visitors.

A beautiful mural in Raleigh pays homage to female steel workers.

Location

Raleigh Ironworks sits in the middle of several popular neighborhoods in East Raleigh, each with its own unique charm and character. Some of these neighborhoods include Historic Oakwood, known for its historic homes and tree-lined streets, and Longview, a family-friendly area with several parks and community events.

Located less than 10 minutes from Midtown and Downtown Raleigh, Ironworks brings the convenience of industrial living to the state’s capital. East Raleigh is well-connected to the rest of the city and the region through major roadways, including I-440 and US-264. The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is a short drive away, providing convenient access to domestic and international travel.

The Ironworks District is home to three distinct complexes: Dock 1053, Raleigh Ironworks, and the Salvage Yard.

Dock 1053

Dock 1053 is a unique destination where locals and visitors come together to eat, learn, shop, create, and collaborate. Notable spots include:

The Loading Dock: A shared co-working space catering to creatives, freelancers, and remote professionals.

Mister Pompadour: Founded in Raleigh in 2014, this brand crafts premium grooming products with a focus on quality ingredients for the modern man. Dock 1053 is home to their flagship barber lounge where you can go get a fresh cut.

Lynnwood Brewing Concern: A fun combination of a brewery and taproom, offering an intimate view of the brewing process while they serve the local community.

Wilson's Eatery: Serves locally sourced, homemade sandwiches, flatbreads, and salads, including a shared beer garden with Lynnwood Brewing.

Glas: A neon design studio, sign shop, and teaching facility, providing a hub for artists within the community.

A neon design studio at Raleigh Ironworks.

Raleigh Ironworks

Within Raleigh Ironworks, you'll discover a host of exciting stores and upcoming eateries:  

Ponysaurus Brewing Co.: A brewery known for its unique beer creations meant to be slowly savored.

Eastcut: A Raleigh staple’s new location with chef-driven, homemade food by New York natives.

Beatniks: A curated men’s clothing store with classic, on-trend styles. Anticipated opening: Fall 2023.

FX Fitness: A client-focused fitness studio with state-of-the-art equipment.

Andia's Homemade Ice Cream: A local favorite serving small-batch premium ice cream crafted by husband and wife team Andia and George Xouris.

Brodeto: Scott Crawford's new restaurant offering Italian and Croatian-inspired cuisine featuring a cocktail and crudo bar. Anticipated opening: Winter 2023.

YoBa: An immersive yoga studio, featuring infrared yoga, barre, and cardio sessions. Opening in 2024.

Jaguar Bolera: A unique entertainment hub with a restaurant, karaoke, and a 21,000-square-foot pickleball complex! Opening in late 2023.

Raleigh Ironworks is the best new neighborhood to live in.

Salvage Yard

The Salvage Yard is a brand-new event space with a corner restaurant with outdoor seating, retail spaces, and covered parking. While it is still being built you can look forward to a massive activity space. TRC-Salvage Yard will be the largest Triangle Rock Club facility at 40,000 sq ft and the largest climbing gym in North Carolina. The facility will feature a yoga studio, a functional fitness and strength training area, a climber training area, a gear shop, bouldering space, tall rope climbing walls, and more. Anticipated opening: 2024.

North Carolina's largest rock climbing gym is set to open in 2024.

Want to live here?

Forge at Raleigh Ironworks is a pet-friendly residential building directly in the heart of this brand-new, walkable retail district. Forge has a state-of-the-art fitness center open 24/7, a salt-water pool designed with an industrial theme, a yoga studio with on-site fitness instructors, and a barcade and resident entertainment lounge featuring retro-style arcade games. Leasing now, you can rent 1 and 2-bedroom apartments, as well as luxury studio apartments that feature Ori Expandable Pocket Studios.

Ori Expandable Apartments double the space of a typical studio by expanding your floor plan's usable space. Forge features units with the Ori Pocket Studio, a space-saving solution that provides you with a clear division of space at the push of a button. Ori Studios are also Semi-Furnished. Ori ensures all the essential items are built-in and ready for use the moment you move in. Your bed, table, media center, and closet are seamlessly integrated into the apartment with the Ori Pocket Studio, providing you with the necessary foundation for comfortable living.

With a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options just steps away from your apartment, this new building is the perfect place to call home.

Forge at Raleigh Ironworks has expandable apartments perfect for any renter.

From ground-floor retail and tasty restaurants to Forge's amenity-rich residences, Raleigh Ironworks is set to redefine what it means to be a part of a community. We can’t wait to see what other retailers and restaurants will join the Ironworks family and hope this inspires you to explore all it has to offer.