Downtown Raleigh’s skyline will change dramatically in the next several years with the addition of new towers, particularly in the southern end. Are you excited?
UPDATE 10/08/2008:
First of the Edison updates:
UPDATE 07/20/2007:
He is an updated version of the future Raleigh Skyline rendering. It reflects a more current version of what we might see in 2008 and beyond.
Closer:
The current version of Raleigh (2006):
The future rendering of Raleigh:
A less cartoony look at the rendering:
Discuss!
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Created
on Sunday, October 29th, 2006 in the category Illustrations.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
TC, when I heard the comment about the two phases I was a bit surprised, too. What they meant, however, was that the hotel portion of the tower will be built first, and in the meantime financing for the second portion will be secured. If the latter doesn’t happen, then the additional portion will be built on the top of the hotel, at a later time. Basically, we are talking about the same building that was presented earlier. I am sure this has happened in other places, but I am not certain the cost for this building will remain reasonable. It will still be profitable, just not as profitable as the developer anticipated. If anyone has heard otherwise, please correct me… I would hate to be wrong
The original plan for Site 4 was most definitely horrible. Before the RFP was issued, the proposed height was about 8 floors and included a boutique hotel, only. That would have made you scream… Empire Properties actually came back with a 12-15 story proposal and scaled up to 22 floors – one of those floors was added several months ago. While I would love to see something even taller, I doubt it would happen… Not without a national developer, like Donald Trump, whose name/brand carries enough weight in any bank. Unfortunately, this is not feasible at this point in time, so don’t feel bad if Empire Properties remains the developer. As much as I dislike the two phases proposal, I’d rather go with it than ending up with more delays and a smaller project. Quite frankly, I believe that Lafayette will be delivered as promised, without the two phases idea getting on the way of having this project in its entirety right away. I think that the city officials will want to see this project as proposed, on time (based on the new guidelines) and with all the uses proposed.
Matt, feel free to send photos my way… I am always happy to see images of places I’ve never been to
A bit off topic, but someone, I think, asked not too long ago about the vacancy rate in DT Raleigh… According to Karnes Research, the vacancy rate stands at 4.4%, the lowest in the last seven years.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Ernest, your information on the DT vacancy rate isn’t even a bit off topic. It should be an encouragement to all of us. Such a low rate is a good indicator of the need for and success of the Edison project and several more.
But of course on the down side is that a year or so ago, Raleigh DT was clearly poised for dramatic advance. And now lenders have the yips like they’re standing over six-foot putts. Oil. Steel. Housing. Job loss. Living costs. Bear market gloom hangs heavy.
As has been alluded to in recent posts is the not unfounded fear that as DT development continues, even at a reduced pace, there will be an upsurge in the waste of prime high-rise sites on develpments such as now line Dawson. And as someone wrote recently about the Lafayette, it’s absence must be driving convention center brass nuts.
I do look forward to having a Friday evening drink and/or a Saturday morning breakfast at the new Marriott. I’m anxious to see if the inside of this monstrosity will be as revolting as the outside. Now there’s a challenge. And that unsightly thing will sit there between the plaza and convention center for a long time.
Meantime, all praise to the shimmer wall. Great job that will get greater when the lighting is completed.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 am
DUH: agree with your comments about the Marriott. Sorry, we are killing a dead horse, but anyone associated with this development, should be FIRED (including all city council members) and NEVER allowed to participate in Raleigh downtown development (this exterior design looks pathetic). Can someone tell be who designed this building?
I was just outside of DC last week (had a meeting at a Marriott). Very simple looking from the outside (but done tastefully), but the interior (lobby, Internet room, lounge, restaurant, etc.) was an excellent experience (EVERYTHING was done right). If the downtown Marriott interior is anything less than my experience at the DC Marriott (and keep in mind, this Marriott was outside of downtown DC, our downtown location should have more amenities than this rural DC location), our Marriott will be embarrassing to this city. Since the outside is ugly, the interior better be a tremendous experience for visitors. If customers at this hotel do not walk away talking about the wonderful service and atmosphere experience, they will walk away telling friends and business associated they stayed at that ugly Stucco Downtown Raleigh Marriott (good luck getting bigger conventions city council!!!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
The interior of Marriott Hotel will most likely be a truly great experience. I have no doubt about that. The biggest problem I have with that eyesore is its location and the fact tax dollars will go to waste – yes, I know, it is a special tax, but why burden the downtown businesses with the cost of an eyesore? The city officials intended to offer something good, and the initial renderings exaggerated the size and impact of this hotel. Cooper Carry, the architect of this project, has done a much better job with the 405-room/24-story Marriott Norfolk Waterside. Why couldn’t we get something like that? How hard was it? Like TC said, we are beating a dead horse, but this screw up should become an eye opener for future deals.
If the vacancy rate wasn’t off-topic, this one will be. Yesterday evening, around 7pm, I took my mother to DT Raleigh, so she can take a little break from spending too much time inside the house, watching the baby. She has seen DT Raleigh before, but this time she was impressed. About two hours ago I was on the phone with her, and she mentioned to me that she regretted not accepting my offer, last night, to make a stop and have a dinner somewhere, or at least a dessert. Unlike other times, this time she couldn’t believe how nice DT Raleigh felt. She loved the fact that many places had their outdoor seating filled with people. Nothing spectacular, but decent, particularly for Wednesday evening. The Big Easy, particularly, had a ton of people on the front, mostly people above 40 years of age. The Raleigh Times and Riviera were also busy. I was pleasantly surprised to see Taz, the new convenience store, open for business. City Market was busy, too.
My mother’s opinion, while not important to this forum, reflects a classic case of a person who had misconceptions about DT Raleigh. Many people do not realize how far Raleigh has gone. My mother is merely someone who is accustomed to density, high pedestrian activity levels and destinations within a short distance. To get any positive comments from her is a miracle :LOL:
July 4th, 2008 at 3:56 am
I think the feel of downtown will surely leap forward a step once RBC Plaza is open and inhabited, along with the opening of the convention center. Both will add to the number of people on the streets of downtown, which is a good thing.
Ernest brings up a good point regarding the importance of the height of the Lafayette – I think the current design is 22 stories (all living space of course, so not quite as tall as a 22 story office tower – but still 22 stories nonetheless). I thought the city had come up with some sort of proposal two or three years ago to issue some sort of minimum height on new developments in downtown Raleigh. The reason for this, of course, was to eliminate the use of what’s becoming increasingly precious downtown land on small buildings with limited space and to create that all important factor needed downtown – density! Someone here must surely know the specifics on this – I mention this because we shouldn’t be seeing proposals in the downtown area for anything less than midrise buildings whatsoever, I thought.
Everyone have a safe and Happy 4th of July holiday, I’ll be enjoying views of the NYC skyline for the weekend
July 4th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Happy 4th of July/Independence Day from me, as well
Matt K., enjoy the trip to my hometown, and bring back a lot of photos
July 7th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Talking about Soliel, they put in a full caisson foundation from what I can see. They can also easily sell the property to someone else with that work done as it is adaptable to another building design therefore it was easy to get a loan for that work. Given the inexperience of the development team in projects of that nature, I already would have been surprised to see SC happen before the lending issues. I would give it 100 to 1 odds now.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Do i take Lee’s comments about the Soleil foundations could be used for another project to mean that the project is dead? Can’t find any news whatsoever. The construction site is a ghost town but condos are still for sale online.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:29 am
I have no information about the project other than what I can see driving by the site month after month and what I know about commercial construction and development having worked in the industry for quite a few years.
They may still surprise us, but who around the area is a beleiver in this project right now?
July 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am
anyone know a realtor that they could ask if they’re still selling the condos? Apparently they are/were doing the sales center “by appointment.” If they wanted to go see the sales center, I would think a good realtor would be able to say, don’t bother, it’s not for sale any longer.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Just a suggestion to Matt R., the S. Wilmington Street view of downtown is probably my favorite view, so I would take a shot or two from there, that would look amazing.
July 8th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
There is a crane up across Fayetteville Street from the Marriott. The foundation work has started on the towers across Fayetteville Street from the Marriott. Maybe soon we will see new towers rising.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Ernest, did you tell us you were going out of town on vacation, and I missed it? Do you know if John F is right about what the Crane is doing there? (I think, what else could it be, but then, with the economy in a shambles…)
Also, do you know about the extension of Fayettevill St. to Lenoir? When I peeked through the plastic (or whatever it’s made of) screen the other day, it looked like the street was nearly finished. It would be nice to see that barrier down. The Marriott must be very close to complete. The sign says opening in August.
July 20th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Check this out: http://earthcam.com/clients/raleigh/hidef.php?cam=2
July 21st, 2008 at 11:42 am
Question: Front entrance to the Convention Center – are there still going to be light towers and water fountains. Have seen the web cams, where are the fountains or water feature? Let me guess, another budget cut.
This building is a good addition to downtown, but I am not impressed (and never have been), by the design (looks very bland).
July 21st, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Duh, no vacation for me
I was very busy, though… So busy that I couldn’t even reply to Matt’s new photos. Anyway, the crane at the Charter Square/Site One is a fact, but nothing to celebrate just yet. Once we see the North Tower getting built, we can cheer 
They should begin some time in 2009, though. Don’t know anything about the extension, but it looks like it’s ready. Without City Plaza, however, it means nothing to have an extension to Lenoir. By the end of 2009 we should see the whole thing ready, if my calculations are correct.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
The rendering is a little outdated at this point……..is there a new one in the works?
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
yes
July 24th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Sweet
July 24th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
BREAKING NEWS: Raleigh city officials and the contractor building Charter Square has HALTED construction on the building due to a tilting/buckling crane. Updates will follow.