Hub RTP

Hub RTP is a groundbreaking 40-acre transformative mixed-use development project situated in the heart of Research Triangle Park (RTP), one of the most prestigious research and innovation hubs in the United States. This ambitious project is set to redefine the landscape of RTP, a region that has long been synonymous with cutting-edge technology, research and development. However, for over 50 years, RTP’s zoning regulations had restricted the development of retail, hotel and residential spaces, focusing primarily on research and industrial uses. The Hub RTP project marks a significant departure from this tradition, introducing a vibrant blend of amenities designed to attract not only workers but also residents and visitors who seek a dynamic and integrated community experience.

McAdams developed the initial master plan for Hub RTP and provided surveying, subsurface utility engineering (SUE), stream restoration design, flood modeling, environmental impact permitting and civil design expertise for the infrastructure development.

Central to the site lies a tributary to Burdens Creek which had been straightened and banks lined with riprap in the 1960’s providing little experiential benefit or ecological function. The opportunity to enhance the stream and establish a centralized, open-space amenity was critical in establishing Hub RTP as a desirable destination. Long-term stream stability, especially in urban environments that experience flashy stream flows, is reliant on dense riparian vegetation and associated root mass. These dense root networks provide resistance to in-channel and floodplain flows by restraining sediment. To balance stream stability with an aesthetically pleasing and safe user experience, McAdams worked closely with the landscape architect to devise a planting plan that would achieve both goals.