Greensboro Breaks Ground on 270 New Apartments
The development at Friendly Center adds hundreds of new studio and multi-bedroom units to the local rental market by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Commercial
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Developers have broken ground on Pembroke at Friendly Center, a 270-unit multi-family housing community in Greensboro. The project replaces a former Sears site near the existing Whole Foods, with completion projected for the second quarter of 2028.
Why it matters
The redevelopment of a former department store site into high-density housing highlights ongoing shifts in urban land use at major retail hubs. This project adds significant residential inventory to the Friendly Center area, impacting local housing supply dynamics.
The new community will feature 270 residential units across two five-story buildings. This replaces the footprint of a former Sears location in Greensboro.
The players
Hines
A global real estate investment and development firm that manages large-scale residential and commercial projects.
The details
The development, known as Pembroke at Friendly Center, utilizes a high-density design with two five-story structures to maximize the site area. The project introduces a mix of floor plans, including studios and one- to three-bedroom apartments, located adjacent to the existing retail landscape of Friendly Center. Construction is slated to continue through the spring of 2028.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: Groundbreaking ceremony held for the housing project.
Q2 2028: Construction is expected to be completed.
Money Landscape
This development follows the national trend of repurposing legacy department store real estate into high-density residential properties. The shift reflects a broader effort to integrate housing into established retail hubs rather than maintaining large-format retail footprints.
Prospective renters looking for housing in the Friendly Center area should monitor this site for upcoming leasing announcements as the 2028 completion date approaches. Evaluating these new units against local market rental rates will be an important step for household budget planning.
The takeaway
The transformation of the former Sears site signals a long-term change in the local real estate composition at Friendly Center. Prospective tenants should review their long-term housing needs and track construction progress for potential leasing opportunities in 2028.
Further reading
For more information on market shifts, visit the Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Myfox8.
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