APEX, N.C. (WTVD) — For the Town of Apex, it’s been a decades-long journey to see the vision for the area nestled in between US Highway 1 and Interstate 540 and along NC Highway 55 come to life.

“You’re going to see residential units that have been talked about, you’re going to see commercial development, which is something we’ve been striving for such a long time,” Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert said.

Longtime Apex development Veridea to pick up progress after lengthy delay

The Veridea development project was originally in the hands of another developer in 2009 but was held up in court for years. The company, RXR, purchased the first parcels of land in 2023, and now, phase one of construction is finally underway.

The vision for the site includes space for life sciences research, thousands of residential units, and 3.5 million square feet for retail, hospitality, and civic use.

“This North Carolina project, it’s a big one,” said Joe Graziose of RXR. “Twelve-hundred acres and everything that we’re going be able to do here, it was quite an attraction to us.”

Graziose said it may take another decade to see all of this complete, but some neighbors near the planned wastewater pump station site said they support the development, amid so much growth.

“It’s a good idea,” Surender Thota said.

Phase one of construction will focus on expanding NC 55 and water treatment and sewer.

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“What excites me today … is it’s finally started,” Graziose said. “The investment is being made, and that’s a big deal.”

According to the developer, the community is expected to bring more than 2,300 annual jobs to Apex during the next decade of development, resulting in $1.6 billion in cumulative labor income during the 10-year construction period.

Construction is in phase one of the project.

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