The former Sears Appliance Repair property is being transformed into a new residential community featuring rental townhomes, modern amenities, and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
A place once associated with fixing broken appliances is about to take on a very different job: housing hundreds of Midtown Raleigh residents.
Construction has begun on Rowan, a 386-residence rental community at 801 E. Six Forks Road. The 12-acre development from Beacon Partners will include 350 apartments and 36 three-story townhomes near the Crabtree Creek Greenway, Midtown East and Raleigh Iron Works.
The first residents are expected to move in during late 2028, with the entire community scheduled for completion in mid-2029.
For a section of Raleigh that has seen industrial and commercial properties transformed into restaurants, offices, and shopping destinations, Rowan represents another step in East Midtown’s evolution.
Longtime Raleigh residents may remember the property as the former Sears Appliance Repair center. That building was demolished in 2022, leaving behind a site that will now become a sizable residential community.
“The East Midtown area is one of Raleigh’s strongest growth corridors and where people want to be,” said Zach Spencer, partner of multifamily at Beacon Partners. “Rowan is the kind of place that pulls you in—great design, fantastic amenities, and a neighborhood that continues to cement itself as one of Raleigh’s most desirable destinations.”
The development will combine traditional apartments with three-story townhomes, offering two different residential styles within the same community.
One of Rowan’s more distinctive offerings will be its 36 three-story townhomes. Unlike townhome developments where buyers purchase individual properties, all 36 residences at Rowan will be available exclusively for lease.
Each townhome will feature three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, an open floor plan, and a full-size, single-car garage. Select residences will also feature fenced-in private backyards and a private deck.
For renters looking for additional space, a garage, and a more traditional residential layout, the townhomes could offer an alternative to conventional apartment living without the commitment of purchasing a home.
Details about the 350 apartments, including their bedroom configurations and expected rental prices, have not yet been released. The developer also has not provided information about potential income-restricted housing.
Like many of Raleigh’s newer residential communities, Rowan is being designed around amenities that encourage residents to spend time outside their individual apartments.
Plans include a resort-style swimming pool, a fitness center, and a coworking space for residents who work remotely or need somewhere to escape the distractions of home.
A top-floor lounge overlooking the pool courtyard is also planned, with views of the surrounding skyline.
But perhaps Rowan’s biggest selling point isn’t inside the development at all.
The property is located near several of Midtown’s established and emerging destinations, including the Wegmans-anchored Midtown East retail center, Dock 1053 and Raleigh Iron Works.
“Residents can walk to the greenway and to some of the best restaurants and shops in Raleigh from here. Sites like this rarely come along,” Spencer said.
One of the project’s notable additions will take place along the surrounding streets.
Beacon Partners confirmed that Rowan will include streetscape improvements along both East Six Forks Road and Industrial Drive. Those improvements will include a dedicated bicycle lane and six-foot-wide sidewalks around the perimeter of the property.
For an area that has historically included industrial properties, commercial buildings, and busy roads, the improvements could help make the immediate neighborhood more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.
The project also fits into Raleigh’s broader vision for a more connected Midtown.
While Rowan is being marketed around its proximity to the Crabtree Creek Greenway, a direct, dedicated trail connection from the development has not been confirmed.
Still, the addition of sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure represents another piece of Midtown’s continuing transformation.
Construction on Rowan officially began in November 2026. According to Beacon Partners, the first residents are now expected to move in during late 2028, with construction scheduled for completion in mid-2029.
The development is a joint venture between Beacon Partners and Eagle Realty Group, with construction financing provided by Bank of America.
The project team includes LaBella as architect of record, Level5 Design for interior design, Wooten as civil engineer, and HK Jordan as general contractor.
While details about rental rates and apartment availability are still to come, Rowan represents another substantial investment in East Midtown, where former commercial properties are increasingly making way for new places to live.
