North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Ground has been broken on Tributary, a new residential community in the North Hills Innovation District (NHID), following a 28-acre land acquisition that expands the district’s footprint.
The development will include 332 apartments and 6,000 square feet of ground-level retail along an extension of Hardimont Road. It is located near a tributary of Big Branch Creek and preserved wetlands, part of the district’s plan to combine urban development with natural features.
Hickok Cole is serving as the general contractor for the project, and John Moriarty & Associates is the architect of record.
Tributary will feature two courtyards, a digital content creation studio, and an elevated wellness center. The project is part of a broader plan for NHID that includes potential high-rise residential and mixed-use buildings, expanded greenway access, trails, and pocket parks.
Recent activity in the district includes leasing at Tower 5 and the opening of St. Albans Lofts in July 2025. The 28-acre expansion along I-440 toward Wake Forest Road is expected to support additional mixed-residential projects and retail, with a focus on walkability and integration with green space.
Construction on Tributary is underway, though no official completion date has been announced.