CARY – This week marks one year since Apple announced it would bring a new headquarters to Research Triangle Park.

In the meantime, Apple is planning to spend about $19.3 million on renovating the seven-floor MetLife Building 3 at 301 MetLife Way in Cary. Interior renovation permits have been approved for floors 2-6, which will cost about $6,826,000.

“They’re in the process of recruiting all types of technical staff and engineers, software, really all positions they’re hiring for,” said Cary Chamber of Commerce President Mark Lawson.

For floor one and floor seven, the construction costs are listed at $12.48 million. However, the renovation permits are still under review for floors one and seven.

Apple has yet to release a timeline on when the MetLife renovations could get finished. However, the company said it expects to begin hiring in the Triangle in 2023.


Tuesday officially marks one year since Apple announced a new $1 billion-plus campus and engineering hub in the Triangle. It is expected to create thousands of high-paying jobs over the next several years in the Triangle.

“It was exciting to have [Apple] look at that as a launching point for [its] campus,” Lawson said of the planned renovations to the MetLife building.

Economist and N.C. State University’s Dr. Mike Walden said Apple’s presence will impact everything from jobs to housing in the Triangle.

“It’s going to be very interesting with Apple to see to what extent they allow employees to work remotely, which I think can be a big game-changer to the housing market,” Walden said.

Tuesday officially marks one year since Apple announced a new $1 billion-plus campus and engineering hub, which is expected to create thousands of high-paying jobs over the next several years in the Triangle.

“It’s taken the Triangle just a further step upward in terms of being a magnet for people to move here, especially well-trained people, college-trained people,” Walden said.

Lawson said he believes Apple’s presence has prompted “like-minded businesses” to consider the Triangle.

“It’s certainly drawn some of their vendors and suppliers to want to relocate in our market,” Lawson said.

Walden believes Apple’s presence extends beyond the economy.

“I think what we will see is Apple involved in civic affairs and philanthropic affairs in the region,” Walden said.

WRAL News reached out to Apple for an update on the office and the campus in the Triangle, but did not hear back.

On Monday, WRAL News also did not hear back from several architectural firms and contractors involved with the Cary project.