RTP celebrates future mixed-use development of 'RTP 3.0'
More than 100 Research Triangle Park officials and other supporters gathered on Thursday for a celebration at HUB RTP to mark the culmination of a multi-year planning process to chart a new long-range vision for the next half-century of innovation and economic growth in RTP.
Companies and landowners in RTP in late June unanimously approved new development standards that adopt the RTP 3.0 framework, unlocking the ability to pursue mixed-use and residential opportunities for the first time in the Park’s nearly 70-year history. The plan is designed to strengthen research and development, expand economic opportunity, and better position the Park to attract and retain top talent.
RTP 3.0 introduces new development options that support a broader mix of uses, including enhanced corporate campuses, walkable mixed-use environments and limited residential options. These changes help preserve RTP’s legacy as a leading global destination for innovation while supporting one of the country's fastest-growing regions.
During the June 25 meeting of the RTP Owners and Tenants Association, the RTP Development Code and associated regulations were unanimously approved by all present and voting members, marking a defining moment in the Park’s evolution. The Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina Board of Directors subsequently approved the measure, completing a five-year effort to modernize how RTP grows and competes.
“RTP 3.0 began as a bold 50-year vision for what Research Triangle Park could become,” said Scott Levitan, president and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina and a lead proponent of the initiative. “For decades, these 7,000 acres—an area roughly half the size of Manhattan Island—were defined by a single-use corporate campus model. That model served RTP well, but the future demands more.
"These new standards give companies the flexibility to reimagine their work environments and unlock new possibilities to create spaces where people can work, live, collaborate and connect, ensuring RTP remains globally competitive in research and development, as well as a leading driver of economic growth for North Carolina.”
The updated covenants and design standards follow the zoning frameworks approved by Wake and Durham county commissioners and introduce greater flexibility for how land can be used across RTP, including reduced setbacks and increased development density.
For more information on RTP 3.0, read the announcement here and more detail here.