Thalian Hall’s Next Act: Major Expansion to Transform Wilmington’s Iconic Theater
Thalian Hall, Wilmington’s iconic 167-year-old theater, has announced plans for major transformation. The multi-year renovation and expansion project will repurpose areas left vacant by the city’s move to Skyline, nearly doubling the legendry theater’sfootprint. Plans include a new 300-seat theater, a recording studio, expanded rehearsal spaces, and a coffee shop open to the public. The upgrades aim to position Thalian Hall as a hub for local artists, offering state-of-the-art facilities to create, perform, and thrive. A formal announcement with full details is expected this spring.
Midway Landing: A Coastal Community Bringing 3,600 Homes to Bolivia, NC
Contender Development, a major land developer in the Southeast, has announced plans for a new master-planned community in Bolivia, in Brunswick County. The community will be called Midway Landing. Situated on over 1,500 acres off Southport-Supply Road, Midway Road SE, and Clemmons Road SE, the community will be a coastal-themed neighborhood featuring approximately 3,600 homes, including single-family residences, townhomes, and multifamily units. Located just six minutes from Oak Island, the development is expected to be an amenity rich community. Homes in Midway Landing are expected to hit the market in 2026.
New Townhome Development Planned for Wilmington’s Northside
A new residential development is planned for downtown Wilmington’s Northside along McRae Street. Site plans detail six three-story townhomes across two lots, each with two to three bedrooms and a garage. The development will include driveways, overflow parking, yard space, and a privacy buffer with retained trees and a six-foot wooden fence. Each property will also feature trash and recycling cart areas. The townhomes are still undergoing the review and permit process. If everything is approved construction could being as early as this spring.
New Plant and More Jobs Coming to Brunswick County
A company called Epsilon Advanced Materials has announced that it has secured $115 million in federal tax credits to help build a new plant in Brunswick County. The facility will be a graphite manufacturing center that will cost $650 million. The plant will create 500 jobs with an average salary of over $52,000. Construction is set to begin later this year, with completion targeted for 2027 and full operational capacity by 2031. The tax credits are part of a national effort to boost clean energy manufacturing and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Epsilon is currently finalizing state and wetlands permits for the project. The company describes the tax credits as a major step toward advancing the U.S. clean energy transition.
JetBlue Lands at Wilmington International with Nonstop Flights to Boston
JetBlue is latest carrier to set up shop at Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Jet Blue will offer nonstop routes to Boston from April 30 to October 25. This new route not only connects Wilmington to Boston but also links travelers to JetBlue’s network of 77 nonstop destinations, including the Caribbean, Latin America, and Europe. JetBlue joins six other carriers at ILM, contributing to the airport’s growing economic impact and expanding options for Wilmington residents and visitors. The announcement follows recent news of other low-budget carriers, such as Avelo, adding new routes from ILM.