BrightSky Acquires Wendell Falls Parkway Site for First Build-To-Rent Single-Family Home Community in Wake County, Starts Construction on 201 Homes
December 8, 2025
BrightSky Residential, a residential real estate development company operating exclusively in the build-to-rent (“BTR”) sector, has acquired a 25-acre site on the Wendell Falls Parkway a half mile south of the Wendell Falls master plan community to develop a new BTR community, its first in Wake County and in North Carolina. The company started construction on the community of 201 townhomes on December 1.
The homes will offer privacy, resort-style amenities and a maintenance-free lifestyle and include popular BrightSky features that have led its homes to be quickly leased at its existing communities. These top-ranked features are private yards, attached garages, contemporary kitchens with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, and smart home systems. Further, 24/7 professional management lifts the burden of homecare for residents.
“This is one of the most ideal new home locations in the Raleigh Metro Area,” says Hamilton Stolpen, President of BrightSky’s Southeast Division. “With the nearby outer ring beltway, I-540, future residents can easily connect to the greater Raleigh area, Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in North America home to 60,000 jobs.”
The immediate Wendell Falls area is enjoying some of the highest projected population and household growth rates in the MSA and Wake County, Stolpen reports. Median household income is also higher.
The BrightSky homes are designed to appeal to young professionals, couples, families and older adults who desire the advantages of single-family living without the commitment and responsibilities of homeownership, Stolpen adds. He also notes that the community’s resort-style amenities are beyond those of competitive rentals. These include a clubhouse, swimming pool, pickleball court, walking trails, dog park and other open spaces.
In addition, future residents will be able to enjoy Wendell Falls’ many public parks, trail system, and open recreational spaces. Within two miles there are boundless shopping, dining and entertainment choices. Wendell’s nearby downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, combines charming architecture, shops and restaurants with unique ambiance.
The community will offer three- and four-bedroom plans with sizes ranging from 1,711 to 1,932 square feet. Rents are expected to average $2,500 monthly, a savings of $1,000 per month from an average mortgage payment for a comparable home in the area. Lease-up is scheduled to start in spring 2026.
“Wendell Falls is an incredible locale, and we are pleased to develop one of our thoughtfully planned communities here while contributing to the urban fabric of Raleigh and Wake County,” concludes Mr. Stolpen.