More preparation for construction at University Place is becoming visible around the mall’s property, as fences have been erected in the section nearest to Willow Drive where an apartment complex is set to be built.

The fencing encompasses the entire northwest side of the Chapel Hill mall, which is set to undergo massive redevelopment in the coming months and years. Within the fencing, pavement of the parking lot is being pulled up for contractors begin the early stages of building ‘900 Willow’ — a new facility expected to bring more than 250 multi-family units to the site.

While the fencing eliminates one way for vehicles to navigate around University Place, sidewalks are open and are expected to remain available through the entire construction project. Pedestrians can use sidewalk access along the edge of the construction zone beside Silverspot Cinema and Stoney River restaurant, as well as along Willow Drive.

Sidewalk access between the north and south side of the central mall building (along the edge of Silverspot Cinema and Stoney River restaurant) will be kept open during construction.
The edge of the staging area for construction vehicles and equipment extends into the parking lot on the north side of the mall’s central building.
A section of fencing lines the entryway to University Place off Willow Drive near Harris Teeter.
A look from Willow Drive at the fencing around part of the University Place property as preparation for an apartment building begins.

Another change the construction and fencing caused: the Chapel Hill Transit bus stop for University Place has now shifted further south. The A and F routes that service the area will pick up and drop off riders in front of the former City Kitchen restaurant space. The local transit system shared the update on social media on Thursday.

Ram Realty, a development company and ownership group of University Place, acquired the property in 2018 with the goals of revitalizing the mall. One aspect of that goal is by introducing a residential component with the 900 Willow building. In addition to its multi-family units, the five- to six-story complex will have a covered parking structure, a leasing plaza and an outdoor pool and patio area for residents. On the south side of the complex, developers plan for the ground floor to have incubator retail space — spots for growing businesses that do not yet need a full facility.

A rendering of the 900 Willow apartment building planned for the University Place property, with the perspective from the opposite side of Willow Drive. (Photo via RAM REALTY.)

The fences around the future 900 Willow site are just the latest set of fencing put up in recent weeks. In mid-October, contractors erected fencing around part of the southern corner of the mall property in preparation to begin constructing a new Chase Bank location. Additionally, fencing is expected to be set up soon right across the 900 Willow construction zone, as demolition on an old Wells Fargo building will make way for a new Fifth Third bank location. Work on that project could begin as soon as Tuesday, November 15, which is the first date the Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market will be held away from the parking area beside the old bank building.

While it’s publicly unclear how long construction of 900 Willow is expected to take, Ram Realty has indicated the full-scale redevelopment of University Place is expected to last beyond mid-2024.

 

Editor’s Note: Chapel Hill Media Group is a tenant of University Place, having first moved there in 2016.

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