Imperial Tower, the 11-story office building in south Durham that emptied out after IQVIA decamped for a new headquarters, is filling up again. Robinson Bradshaw, a prominent Triangle law firm, has signed on for a full floor and will consolidate its Raleigh and Chapel Hill offices in the tower, marking the latest sign that a hefty renovation push is paying off.
As reported by CoStar, Robinson Bradshaw is taking roughly 31,000 square feet at 4820 Emperor Blvd and combining its Triangle teams there. The firm announced the deal on LinkedIn, calling the move “an investment in our clients, our people and our commitment to the Triangle.”
Landlord’s $10M amenity push
Owner Drawbridge Realty is putting about $10 million into Imperial Tower to turn the former corporate HQ into an amenity-rich, headquarters-ready option. Plans call for a new lobby and conferencing center, a café, fitness and locker facilities, game and wellness rooms, a golf simulator and outdoor courts. Recent industry coverage notes the upgrades are slated to wrap up by summer 2026. According to Commercial Property Executive, the goal is to make the building competitive for large headquarters tenants.
Who’s moving in
The strategy appears to be working. The repositioning has pulled in several sizable deals: Aspida Financial Services has signed an almost 90,000-square-foot headquarters lease for the top three floors, Victra has taken roughly 43,600 square feet, and Robinson Bradshaw has committed to a full floor of about 31,000 square feet, according to Tri Properties. IQVIA put the building up for sublease after moving out in 2023, which opened the door to the current repositioning effort, as reported by WRAL TechWire.
Why the Triangle market is watching
Large-block headquarters leases have been scarce in recent years, so Imperial Tower’s hot streak has market watchers looking closely at what it might signal. Newmark’s Raleigh‑Durham market report highlights Aspida’s lease as one of the quarter’s biggest private-sector commitments and shows Class A asking rents and leasing activity improving late in 2025. According to Newmark, landlords that offer upgraded space with robust amenity packages are winning out with prospective tenants.
What it means for workers and firms…