Development

Real estate development and construction projects

Judge Steps Aside in Fontainebleau Water Park Case After Disclosing She Owns a House Nearby
Development

Judge Steps Aside in Fontainebleau Water Park Case After Disclosing She Owns a House Nearby

Five months after a La Gorce Drive resident sued to block the state law behind the Fontainebleau's water slide, the case has produced a disqualified judge, a complaint to the Judicial Qualifications Commission, profane emails, and accusations that the hotel's lawyers filed AI-fabricated case citations. The plaintiff has asked a new judge to hear the first of it Thursday.

Journal Staff Nov 02, 2026
City Tells Southgate Towers Owner Its West Avenue Site Doesn't Qualify for Live Local
Development

City Tells Southgate Towers Owner Its West Avenue Site Doesn't Qualify for Live Local

In a letter dated Oct. 30, Planning Director Deborah Tackett told the applicant's attorney that 910 West Ave., where two 38-story towers are proposed, is not zoned for commercial, industrial or mixed use, and so is not eligible for the Live Local Act's zoning benefits. The letter does not reach the height, phasing or density questions.

Journal Staff Oct 30, 2026
Alton Road's Proposed 506-Foot Tower Draws on Development Rights From the Falwell Hostel Next Door — Now the Subject of a Lawsuit
Development

Alton Road's Proposed 506-Foot Tower Draws on Development Rights From the Falwell Hostel Next Door — Now the Subject of a Lawsuit

A 40-level tower proposed at 824 Alton Road would rise 506 feet where zoning allows about 60, using development rights from the Falwell-controlled hostel next door. A June agreement attached to a lawsuit shows how the rights moved to a company whose managers include developer Russell Galbut, and why a minority owner of the hostel wants the deal cancelled.

Journal Staff Oct 29, 2026
Two New Live Local Towers Are Filed for West Avenue: 38 Stories to Replace the Southgate Towers, and a 308-Foot Wellness Tower on the Office Depot Lot
Development

Two New Live Local Towers Are Filed for West Avenue: 38 Stories to Replace the Southgate Towers, and a 308-Foot Wellness Tower on the Office Depot Lot

The first notice came in a City Manager's letter on Oct. 19, under a rule the Commission adopted days earlier requiring word of Live Local filings at the start, not only at approval. The Journal pulled both pre-application plan sets and built them to scale: two 454-foot towers on the 1958 Southgate Towers site at 910 West Ave., and a Foster + Partners tower at 1771 West Ave. where zoning allows 50 feet. Both sit at the law's 40 percent workforce minimum.

Journal Staff Oct 23, 2026
Billionaire-Linked Trust Sues Developer Over Water Intrusion at New Dilido Drive Home
Development

Billionaire-Linked Trust Sues Developer Over Water Intrusion at New Dilido Drive Home

A billionaire-linked trust that bought a newly built home on West Dilido Drive alleges in a lawsuit that the developer, general contractor and subcontractors delivered a house with water intrusion, a leaking pool and code violations, and that the seller and its warranty co-signer did not adequately repair the defects under the one-year warranty.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026
Commission Kills Raleigh Hotel FAR Increase, Then Revives It Hours Later
Development

Commission Kills Raleigh Hotel FAR Increase, Then Revives It Hours Later

The ordinance needed six of seven votes and failed 4–3 after Commissioner David Suarez took about five minutes to cast the deciding no. After the lunch recess, backers used the Sutnick forum to ask for a do-over, and the Mayor and Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas switched. It passed 6–1.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026
Defendants Fight $100M Deauville Fraud Suit as Judge Opens Key Exhibits
Development

Defendants Fight $100M Deauville Fraud Suit as Judge Opens Key Exhibits

A defense lawyer argues the claims against him expired more than two weeks before the suit was filed; the plaintiff disputes that. Separately, a judge rejected the plaintiff's bid to keep key exhibits confidential, and other defendants are asking to toss parts of the case.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026