Empire's Greg Hatem Is Reviving Raleigh's Downtown
With Dynamic Restaurants and Downtown Raleigh's First Boutique Hotel 
RALEIGH, N.C. (December 2005) – Since 1995, Empire Properties has been preserving – and revitalizing – the classic architecture of downtown Raleigh. Today, real estate owner and developer Greg Hatem is not only of restoring Raleigh's downtown architecture, he's quickly establishing downtown as a dining destination – one with urban appeal featuring high-quality concepts, design, cuisine and chefs. Hatem said it wasn't until he partnered with Chef David Mao to open The Duck & Dumpling in downtown Raleigh in 2003 that he realized the importance of the energy that restaurants bring to downtown. "The best thing about restaurants is that it brings people into a downtown environment and creates energy in a way that you can't duplicate," Hatem explained. "There's a certain energy that revolves around restaurant culture. It's not about feeding people, it's about creating an experience for them. And we want to create that experience for them in a historic downtown building. You can't duplicate that in a strip mall or manufactured urban environment." In the wake of The Duck & Dumpling's overwhelming success, Hatem then opened the Italian-influenced steakhouse in a converted meatpacking space, Nana's Chophouse, last year. In July 2005, Hatem furthered his commitment to the development of a culinary center by partnering with Chef Ashley Christensen, of Enoteca Vin in Raleigh, to head Empire's downtown restaurant development.
"For a long-term project of this scope, we knew that we needed a chef who shared our vision for downtown," Hatem said. "We share the same passion for greatness in different areas; Ashley in the field of food, and Empire in the revitalization of downtown." Next year, Empire will open three new restaurants: The Raleigh Times Bar, a bar and restaurant, the adjoining Morning Times, which will serve breakfast and lunch, and a restaurant and outdoor courtyard featuring Southern soul food. And, as the piece de resistance Empire will open Raleigh's first boutique hotel in 2008 with 80 luxuriously appointed rooms, a spa, and Chef Ashley Christensen's signature restaurant. For this project, they've selected Architect Stephen B. Jacobs and Interior Designer Andi Pepper, the team also responsible for the Library Hotel, Hotel Giraffe, and most recently, The Gansevoort Hotel, all in New York City. Stay tuned, as Empire transforms Raleigh's downtown into an urban mecca for foodies, artists, business travelers and tourists.
For more information on Empire, Greg Hatem, and the restaurants mentioned, visit www.empire1792.com. The Greater Raleigh CVB is a non-profit agency that promotes Raleigh and Wake County to enhance the economic growth and development of Raleigh and Wake County by increasing visitor and convention business. For a free visitors guide or more promotional information, call (800) 849-8499; visit www.visitraleigh.com, or e-mail visit@visitraleigh.com. That's "City Life, Carolina Style."
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