Good afternoon, Raleigh. What do you get when you cross a hamburger with a computer? 

A Big Mac. 🍔

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

Raleigh City Council has officially granted historic landmark status to the former round Holiday Inn on Hillsborough Street, reversing earlier plans for the building to be demolished. After abandoning its proposal for a new Kimpton hotel and luxury apartments, owner Tidal Real Estate Partners now plans to renovate and reopen the property as a Hotel Indigo by late 2026.

The project will involve architect ESa of Nashville, John Moriarty & Associates of Durham, and Denver-based Sage Hospitality Group. Landmark status provides a 50 percent property tax deferral, though additional steps are required for federal or state tax credits. Originally built in 1969 and once the tallest building in downtown Raleigh, the hotel will undergo exterior updates with oversight from the Raleigh Historic Development Commission.

Raleigh restaurants honored in the inaugural Michelin Guide to the American South are already seeing big results, including increased reservations, revenue, and foot traffic. Mala Pata, which earned a Bib Gourmand award, reports tripled reservations and a surge in first-time diners, pushing the six-month-old restaurant into profitability.

Brewery Bhavana has also seen a 30 percent jump in sales and new diners across its Raleigh and Cary locations. Prime Barbecue in Knightdale experienced a 20 percent increase in both sales and foot traffic, with lines so long the restaurant sometimes runs out of food. For all three owners, the Michelin recognition has brought excitement, pressure, and new opportunities for growth.

A major redevelopment is moving forward as Dominium has filed site plans for a 370-unit affordable apartment complex on the north side of Tryon Road, replacing part of the Raleigh Golf Association property. The project will span 22 three-story buildings with one- to four-bedroom units, all featuring in-unit laundry, kitchen islands, and patios or balconies, plus community amenities like a pool, clubhouse, and playgrounds.

The apartments will be reserved for residents earning up to 60 percent of the area median income, following the site's rezoning in October. Dominium is under contract to purchase the 22-acre site, marking the developer’s first project in Raleigh and third in North Carolina. Meanwhile, McConnell Golf plans a multimillion-dollar renovation of the remaining RGA course, and other nearby golf properties may also see affordable housing projects in the future.

Duke football is headed to the ACC title game and possibly the College Football Playoff after a chaotic final day of the regular season broke in its favor. The Blue Devils beat Wake Forest 49 to 32, then got the help they needed with Miami defeating Pitt and Cal upsetting SMU on a missed field goal as time expired.

Those results created a multi-team tie at 6 and 2 in ACC play, and Duke advanced because it held the best conference opponent winning percentage. It is Duke’s first trip to the ACC championship game since 2013 and the first under coach Manny Diaz. Duke will now face No. 17 Virginia in Charlotte on December 6 with a potential CFP berth on the line.

Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is exploring the sale of a minority stake in the team as he works to finalize his purchase of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. The move reportedly values the Hurricanes at $2 billion, reflecting the franchise’s rapid rise from under $1 billion just two years ago.

Dundon has been in discussions with potential investors to help generate the cash needed for the $4 billion-plus Trail Blazers deal. Under his ownership, the Canes have become a perennial Stanley Cup contender and helped spark major redevelopment plans around the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium. Despite his NBA ambitions, the Hurricanes maintain that Dundon is still committed to pursuing a future Major League Baseball team for Raleigh.

Need to get some Christmas shopping done? Plenty of holiday markets in Raleigh this weekend!

North Hills Mall (now North Hills shopping and apartments), 1980.

Friday

37 🌡️ 32 | 🌧️ | 90%

Saturday

50 🌡️ 36 | ☁️ | 20%

Sunday

53 🌡️ 34 | 🌥️ | 20%

P.S. We are never going there for Thanksgiving again…

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