Downtown Cary, North Carolina, is thriving with residents attracted to the area's blend of apartments, offices and entertainment. The Lee, a new three-story multipurpose office building, adds a new work and community hub to the city.
Located across from downtown Cary landmarks, the new-build, 21,000-square-foot office building was developed by Cary natives Moss Withers, CEO and founder of the local office of commercial real estate company Lee & Associates, and Michelle Rhino Anderson, chief operating officer of the company. Lee & Associates is the major tenant in the new space.
The building has a modern brick exterior, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and an outdoor third-floor patio with views over downtown Cary's new park. The interiors blend modern amenities with a vintage feel. Many trees from the property were repurposed throughout the building.
The project has been selected as the winner of the 2024 CoStar Impact Award for commercial development of the year for Raleigh, as judged by a local team of real estate professionals familiar with the market.
The Lee supports the vision of Lee & Associates' founders: “We are all about relationships and engaging with community. We want people to feel that when they walk into this new building. It is foundationally strong, it represents Cary’s history and envisions future growth, welcoming the way ahead,” Withers said.
About the Project: The Lee, which opened in July 2023, frequently hosts community gatherings, meetings and parties. In addition to the office and conference space, The Lee has a kitchen, event space and the outdoor heated patio. A Towne Bank branch will open on the ground floor later this year.
What the Judges Said: "I do think it has spurred development in downtown Cary and continues to add value to the area," said Shelley Bhatia, senior vice president of TradeMark Properties.
They Made it Happen: Moss Withers, CEO and founder of the local office of commercial real estate company Lee & Associates, and Michelle Rhino Anderson, the firm's chief operating officer as well as Charles Lanier, vice president of retail, Lee & Associates.