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05/20/2026 7:55 am

Construction site

Improving Your Future Great Evenings The Latest on Expansion and Improvements at The Complex

Red Hat Amphitheater was originally built on land intended for the expansion of Raleigh Convention Center (RCC). With RCC now at capacity, the City is relocating the amphitheater one block south to make room for more flexible event space, rooftop terraces, and outdoor spaces. 

Construction of the new amphitheater is well underway. Convention center expansion and construction of a 600-room Omni Hotel, including a 20,000-square-foot ballroom and 60,000 square feet of meeting space are also on the horizon. Check back here for updates as things progress!

The Latest:

  • A ceremony was held on April 21, 2026 to officially open the new Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts’ Lichtin Plaza. The redesigned plaza provides a more welcoming and accessible entrance to the popular live-performance venue. Improvements include a dedicated drop-off lane, new wheelchair-accessible ramps, and expanded greenspace.
  • The Raleigh Convention Center released renderings of the interior of the new building, highlighting the versatile new 50k sq. ft. flex hall and 18k sq. ft. ballroom among other great new spaces to come.
  • Steel at the new Red Hat Amphitheater is almost complete, marking a major milestone in the project.
  • The surface parking lots across the street from Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts have closed to make way for construction of the Omni Hotel.
    • Visitors are encouraged to park in the nearby Performing Arts Parking Deck, the second level of which is reserved for guests with disability placards and license plates.
    • There is an accessible loading area in front of the performing arts center for drop off/pickup.
  • One block of South Street between Dawson and McDowell has permanently closed.

Helpful Links

Creating New Paths

As shown below, much of the South Street traffic is now using Lenoir Street (one block north) to get to and from downtown.

There are some exciting projects under consideration for getting around downtown. Read about our Strollway plans that will come through this section of downtown. 

South street detour map

Project Details and FAQ

Get details on the relocation and expansion project by visiting the Red Hat Amphitheater site!