From Rock Bottom to a $14M Deal

Five years ago, I was staring at rock bottom.

Last month, I was looking out over the Raleigh skyline, signing on the dotted line for one of the biggest deals of my career. 

This deal was a $14M acquisition of the former Kmart property at the intersection of Western Boulevard and the Interstate 440 interchange.

For nearly a decade, this 12-acre site in the heart of Raleigh has sat empty, waiting for its second chance. 

Now, we’re bringing it back to life by building something greater than before.

In the near term, CityPlat is set to renovate the existing building and parking lot and bring new retail back to the space. Long term, we’re planning to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into a major redevelopment that will turn this long-forgotten site into something that strengthens the city of Raleigh for years to come.

For me, the deal is a full-circle moment—for many reasons. 

Within five years, I went from signing bankruptcy papers to signing a multi-million dollar deal that will benefit an entire city. 

But more than that, this deal is proof that a comeback is always possible, even when it feels like the chance to rebuild has long passed.

I’ve shared a lot about the struggles of hitting rock bottom, but this is a moment to shed light on how great life can look if you find the resilience to push through. 

No matter where you are right now, you are capable of making a comeback. You are capable of building something greater.

That’s exactly what we’re doing with this project. And that’s exactly what F*ck Rock Bottom is about—rewriting your story, reclaiming your future, and turning your setbacks into opportunities.

-G

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