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⏳ These Three Moves Could Shape the Triangle’s Next Decade
Published about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Happy Friday, Triangle!
This week around the Triangle was all about reinvestment and momentum.
Durham’s Hillandale Golf Course is receiving a $1 million refresh that will bring new life to one of the area’s oldest public spaces.
Wake County just approved a new wave of combined emergency and urgent care centers in Raleigh and Apex, changing how people access care as the region grows.
And on the housing side, Raleigh just landed on the national radar as a top market to watch in 2026, with inventory rising and prices finally leveling out.
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Driving the news: One of North Carolina’s oldest public golf courses is set for a $1 million facelift. Hillandale Golf Course in Durham will undergo major renovations starting in 2026.
Details:
The renovation includes an expanded driving range and a new permanent facility for SwingPals, a nonprofit youth golf program.
The project is a collaboration between Craig Haltom Golf Design and Oliphant Haltom Golf Construction.
Amerazil Golf LLC, which manages the city-owned course, is contributing $100,000 toward the improvements.
The big picture: Hillandale was originally established in 1911 and moved to its current site in 1960, later redesigned by George Cobb. This project marks its second major upgrade in the last 15 years, following $500,000 in improvements in 2012.
Between the lines: Golf courses across the Triangle are seeing fresh investment, as local leaders and private developers eye their potential for recreation, revenue, and real estate development.
What’s next: The renovation is still under design review, but once approved, work could begin next year.
Driving the news: UNC Health just got the green light to build two new medical facilities in Wake County: one in North Raleigh and another in Apex. The goal? Combine emergency and urgent care in a single location to simplify treatment choices and relieve overcrowded hospitals.
Details:
The Raleigh site will repurpose a former Walgreens on Creedmoor Road, opening in July 2027 after a $13.5 million renovation.
The Apex center, costing $24.7 million, will be built along U.S. Highway 64 and is expected to open in July 2028.
Both locations will feature about a dozen exam rooms, imaging services, pharmacy access, and basic labs.
UNC is partnering with Intuitive Health, a company rolling out similar centers in over a dozen states.
A third site in Garner is also in the works, pending state approval.
Why it matters: Wake County’s population is booming and projected to hit 1.36 million by 2030. These hybrid centers can help reduce the burden on full-scale hospitals and make care more accessible, especially for residents unsure whether their condition needs urgent care or emergency treatment.
The big picture: By streamlining services into one-stop facilities, UNC Health is shifting the way care is delivered. This model aims to guide patients on-the-spot, saving time and reducing the strain on ERs. It's a move toward smarter infrastructure as demand grows.
What’s next: Construction begins soon, with phased openings starting in 2027. UNC also has its eyes on new hospitals in Wake Forest and Asheville, signaling a broader statewide expansion.
Driving the news: Raleigh is gaining national attention as one of the top 10 U.S. housing markets to watch in 2026, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Details:
Median home price: $479,000 in Wake County (down 0.2% YoY)
Closed sales: Up compared to last year
Active inventory: Jumped nearly 30% YoY in November
New listings: Rose nearly 6%
Mortgage rates: Hovering around 6%
Job growth: Still outperforming national averages
Why it matters: As home prices flatten and more listings hit the market, first-time buyers in Raleigh could find 2026 a friendlier time to make a move.
Local incomes are rising, and the market is becoming more balanced, a combination that makes the area increasingly livable and accessible for working families.
Between the lines: The National Association of Realtors cited Raleigh’s alignment of wages and housing supply as a key reason for its spot on the list. That suggests 2026 could offer rare breathing room in a market that’s been tight for years.
What’s next: If the trends hold, buyers could see more options without the bidding wars that have defined recent years. Builders and sellers may also need to adjust pricing and incentives to remain competitive.
The bottom line: Raleigh is shaping up to be one of the best bets for buyers in 2026, especially for locals who’ve been priced out in recent years but are ready to enter the market as conditions shift.
I’m a Raleigh-based agent who’s passionate about real estate, local life, and making homeownership feel easy (and fun!). Subscribe and join 2,000+ readers who get the inside scoop every week!
