Youngsville is set to welcome a major commercial development. Baltimore-based St. John Properties Inc. has acquired nearly 25 acres in town and plans a three-building Youngsville Business Park totaling approximately 120,000 square feet of flex and R&D space. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring, with the first building expected to be completed by the end of the year. Located along Park Avenue near NC Route 96, about 23 miles north of Raleigh, the development is projected to create over 350 jobs and contribute to the town’s tax base once fully built out.
What the developer says
In a company release, St. John cast the project as a bet on the Research Triangle’s business climate and steady population growth. Regional partner Dustin Atkielski said the planned park is meant to handle a mix of businesses while giving Youngsville a meaningful boost in commercial tax revenue. The firm also signaled it remains bullish on long-term commercial real estate opportunities in the region. Those project details, including the planned square footage and job targets, were first reported by the Maryland Daily Record.
Project details
The company’s materials describe the property as a new 25-acre business community at Park Avenue and Capital Boulevard (US Alt-1), close to NC-96 and Capital Boulevard (US-1), about 23 miles north of downtown Raleigh. A site listing from St. John Properties shows three planned buildings, with suites ranging from roughly 2,820 square feet up to about 44,280 square feet. The buildings are designed with 18-foot clear heights and parking at approximately four spaces per 1,000 square feet. The property page also includes a downloadable brochure and site plan, and lists Dustin Atkielski as the regional leasing contact.
Where this fits locally
St. John says Youngsville Business Park will be its second business community in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, following its Wake Forest Exchange project, signaling that the firm sees solid demand for flex and R&D space outside downtown Raleigh’s core. The company notes that the Youngsville site sits near a cluster of restaurants, retailers and service-oriented amenities, a mix it argues should appeal to small manufacturers, labs and tech firms that want suburban-style access without giving up nearby conveniences.
What to watch
Next steps for the project include permitting filings, traffic and utility studies, and tenant announcements as St. John prepares for a spring ground-breaking. If the timeline holds, the first building could open by the end of the year, bringing new jobs and services to Franklin County. Public filings and lease agreements will continue to be monitored as they are released.
