After years of cranes and construction fencing, Hub RTP in Research Triangle Park is finally starting to behave like the downtown it was billed to be. Around the Horseshoe, restaurants and retail are feeding lunch crowds and, as of this week, keeping the lights on for dinner too. The central walkways and stage lawn have shifted from job site to hangout spot as tenants open in phases, with more concepts queued up for the months ahead.
Cheeni extends from lunch to family-style dinners
Chef Preeti Waas, a two-time James Beard semifinalist, launched family-style dinner service at Cheeni Indian Food Emporium on April 1, a change she said reflects the Hub’s growing day-to-night demand. As reported by ABC11, Waas called the district “unique” and pointed to the hotel and traveler traffic around RTP as a key reason the site works for expanded hours. The Cheeni outpost first opened for lunch in mid-December and is located at 3151 Elion Drive, suite 101, according to a press release from RTP.org.
High Horse gears up for a theatrical comeback
Restaurateur Anthony Rapillo told ABC11 that he has secured permits and expects to begin build-out soon, with an eye on a fall opening. “Yesterday, we finally received our permit,” Rapillo said, promising “a really big center stage” and a show-style kitchen for chef Katsuji Tanabe’s High Horse. Coverage from Axios Raleigh has flagged High Horse as one of the Triangle’s most anticipated returns, noting the concept’s live-fire, theatrical approach.
Prime STQ and a lineup built for office hours and nights out
Pitmaster Christopher Prieto is bringing a new barbecue-meets-steakhouse concept, Prime STQ, to the Horseshoe, a move developers say is tailored to both office workers at lunch and more formal dinners later in the day. An earlier press release from RTP.org describes a design that pairs counter-service convenience during the daytime with an elevated evening menu and private dining options for business groups. The developer’s tenant roster already includes local names such as Nanny Goat and DRIFT Coffee, and the new arrivals are intended to keep weekday foot traffic flowing along the retail spine.
Public money, park strategy and a walkable RTP
Public investment and behind-the-scenes infrastructure work helped push the Hub to this point. Project materials and local reporting show that Durham County and other partners contributed to the park’s public-space and utility work that underpins the Horseshoe. WRAL TechWire covered the high-profile groundbreaking and partners’ commitments, noting that the event drew dozens of elected officials and signaled a deliberate pivot toward a more walkable RTP. Developers say the goal is to provide retail and gathering spots that serve both the park’s large employee base and nearby Triangle communities.
The rollout will stay staggered for a while: some shops and cafés are already handling the lunch rush, Cheeni has added dinner service, construction crews are busy on show-kitchen builds, and additional restaurant openings are slated for summer and fall. For now, Hub RTP is a live experiment in how much dining and retail the park can support, and which spots earn a place in the daily routines of the region’s workforce.
