North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill plans a major expansion with the development of Carolina North, the largest growth project in the university’s more than 230-year history. The roughly 230-acre site includes the former Horace Williams Airport and will feature a mix of academic, research, housing, and community spaces.
Groundbreaking for infrastructure work is expected in summer 2027. Phase 1 planning will focus on student housing, academic and research buildings, multifamily residential units, hotel space, and ground-floor retail. Most vertical construction is expected to move forward through public-private partnerships. Funding will come from a combination of state support, university trust funds, revenue-backed debt, private donations, and third-party investment.
The expansion is designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration in health, artificial intelligence, and applied sciences. UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC Health will link research and clinical expertise, speeding the translation of discoveries into practical applications. Advanced technologies, including AI, will be shared as a community resource for students and faculty.
The project also emphasizes connectivity with Chapel Hill. A bus rapid transit line will provide dedicated lanes between the main campus and Carolina North, improving traffic flow. Pedestrian-friendly streets, multiuse paths, public plazas, and arts spaces will integrate the campus with surrounding neighborhoods and Carolina North Forest.
A stakeholder advisory group including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members will guide planning to align with academic priorities and operational goals. The university plans to issue requests for qualifications for master planning, infrastructure design, and development partners in spring 2026.
UNC officials say Carolina North is a generational investment that will expand the university’s academic mission, support North Carolina’s workforce needs, and enhance research and public engagement.
More information on Carolina North, including construction updates and project details, is available at Carolina North.