Cary, NC Epic Games, the company best known for its striking Fortnite, announced on Sunday that it will transform Cary Towne Center shopping center into its new campus.
Epic plans to transform the mall into a 980,000-square-foot global headquarters by 2024, which will cancel the plans announced last year for a mix of office, retail and residential space.
The announcement has sparked outrage in the community, and some believe headquarters will make much better use of space that has struggled to stay open over the years. However, some residents are disappointed because they have lost shops and premises for residents.
Epic Games is currently operating on Crossroads Boulevard in Cary. By moving to the mall property, it will house office buildings and recreation areas.
Not everyone is on board. One viewer on WRAL’s Facebook page tweeted and called the announcement ‘devastating news’ for those waiting for Cary Towne Center to turn into something beautiful. ‘
The original plan, with a groundbreaking plan planned for February, included up to 1.2 million square feet of office space in seven buildings, 360,000 square feet of retail space, 1,800 residential units of various sizes, a 450-room hotel and 10 acres of parks and plazas. .
In 2018, the furniture store IKEA planned to take over the mall, but pulled it out.
Across the street, construction is underway for Fenton, a more than 90-acre development along Cary Towne Boulevard that will open later in 2021 with a mix of retail, offices and apartments.
Only a few stores currently remain open at Cary Towne Center, including Belk. Most of the mall has been cordoned off.