Raleigh Leaders Celebrate Omni Hotel Development and Lichtin Plaza Upgrades
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Raleigh city leaders joined developers of the Omni Raleigh Hotel to unveil the re-imagined Lichtin Plaza, marking a significant step in the city’s downtown growth initiatives. The event highlighted the ongoing revitalization of downtown Raleigh, which includes the development of the Omni Raleigh Hotel and upgrades to Lichtin Plaza.
Event Details and Location
The ceremony took place in front of the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, where Lichtin Plaza is located. The plaza is situated across the street from the new Omni Raleigh Hotel, which is currently under construction on Fayetteville Street.
Lichtin Plaza Improvements
As part of the redevelopment, Lichtin Plaza has undergone several improvements designed to enhance accessibility, expand green space, and create a more welcoming arrival experience. Key upgrades include:
- A dedicated drop-off lane for vehicles
- Added wheelchair accessible ramps into Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
- Enhanced green space and new flexible gathering space
Omni Raleigh Hotel Overview
The Omni Raleigh Hotel, a 600-room hotel located at 10 W. South St., is expected to open in 2028. Its key features include a resort-style spa with hot and cold therapies (hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, cold plunges, red light recovery tables and compression pods), a sports bar with an outdoor patio and golf simulator, a rooftop pool with restaurant, North Carolina’s first Bob’s Steak & Chop House, and a coffee shop by Raleigh-based Peter Millar, a luxury clothing brand.
Statements from Officials
Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell was in attendance along with other city and county leaders. Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell will be in attendance along with other city and county leaders.
Project Significance
The new Omni Raleigh Hotel is directly across the plaza, which strengthens the connection between where visitors stay and where they gather, supporting increased visitation and the continued vibrancy of downtown Raleigh.
As construction is ongoing on the hotel, Lichtin Plaza is also getting a makeover with more green space, a dedicated lane for dropoffs and wheelchair accessibility.
Related Developments
Raleigh Convention Center shares first look at new expansion project.