Power 100 Q&A: John Kane

65, Founder and CEO, Kane Realty
Raleigh

Alma mater
Wake Forest University, B.A.

Kane’s projects in Raleigh span from the redeveloped North Hills to downtown’s warehouse district to Peace, a retail and residential project on the edge of downtown that will be anchored by a Publix grocery store. His company opened the Stanhope apartment complex near N.C. State University in 2015, setting a new standard for the campus neighborhood. The Dillon, a 17-story mixed-use project, held its grand opening in October; that same month, the Raleigh News & Observer reported Kane had submitted a rezoning petition for an adjacent tower. Also in the works are a 20-story office tower at North Hills, expected to open in 2020, and the Walter Tower, a 33-story building that will include a boutique hotel and apartments. Before entering the capital city, Kane started his development career by organizing an investor group to buy a shopping center in Greenville. He serves on the executive board of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and is immediate past chairman of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership.

What are North Carolina’s key challenges?

Addressing the needs of our rural counties and providing adequate transportation options for the urban areas.

Share an insight about your community.

The continued growth of Wake County is a phenomenon that is a blessing and a challenge.

What is something people don’t know about you?

I was born in Roxboro.

What is a key accomplishment in the last year?

Completing the Dillon project in the warehouse district, completing Park Central at North Hills and starting the Peace project at Peace and West streets in downtown Raleigh.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The recycling and re-creation of areas in our market that need to be repurposed.

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