Lenovo Center, formerly known as PNC Arena, rebranded last September and is set to begin a comprehensive expansion this year in Raleigh, North Carolina. Updates will involve expanded meeting and event space, as well as the development of a mixed-use district in the surrounding area. Since its initial opening in October 1999, the arena has been a prominent part of Raleigh’s sports and entertainment scene, hosting marquee events such as Carolina Hurricanes NHL hockey games and North Carolina State University men’s basketball; this year, it also will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament in March.
The Lenovo Center’s renovation plans will add plenty for planners to appreciate, particularly the addition of a 4,300-seat, state-of-the-art ballroom, designed to host everything from corporate galas and conventions to concerts and large-scale entertainment. This new space will offer cutting-edge audiovisual capabilities and flexible layouts.
Beyond the ballroom, the Lenovo Center’s transformation will include 150,000 square feet of office space, providing a business and innovation hub ideal for meetings, networking events, and product launches. For out-of-town attendees, the addition of a 150-key hotel on-site will offer the convenience of staying just steps away from a conference or celebration, easing stress and fostering a more immersive experience.
Furthermore, the venue and surrounding development will feature 200,000 square feet of lifestyle and entertainment retail, a dedicated tailgating area, as well as multiple parks, plazas, and promenades. Five hundred new apartments, with 10% designated as affordable housing, will be included in consideration of the Raleigh community.
Renovations could start as early as April, with construction on the mixed-use development set to begin this summer.
