May 17th, 2007


A few scenes from the month of May 2007 in downtown Raleigh.

Downtown Raleigh from the 19th floor of the Clarion Hotel.

Remants of yesterday’s rain.

Downtown Raleigh’s new Marriott hotel is starting to make its presence felt.

Enjoying the outside dining.

Evening above the Boylan wye.

Raleigh, Sir.

A new day begins in downtown Raleigh.

The RBC Plaza condos have matched the height of the Hudson.

A nice cluster of density.

Eclectically sound.

A tangle of tower cranes. A common sight in the triangle.

Looking out over Raleigh’s Warehouse district.

Amtrak makes a stop downtown.

Reflecting.

Raleigh Times.

The state Capitol.

The new look of the southern end of downtown is taking shape.

Fayetteville Street.

Daylight winds down on Hargett Street.

Crews and crane work upon…something?

Feels like the big city.

Two Hannover Square enjoys its last full year as Raleigh’s tallest.

A late night train zips through Raleigh.

The new Marriott grows past the new convention center.

Wachovia Capital Center.

Block B crumbles piece by piece, in the name of Progress.

Magic hour passenger train.

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34 Comments on “May Progress”

  1. Emanuel wrote:

    Matt,

    I am beyond words. I love this series. I love the night shots, the view from the Clarion Hotel, the shot from Boylan w/ the train….EVERYTHING!!!!This entire series just maybe your best yet. You somehow are able to find new angles of the SAME city that makes it look entirely new. I am thrilled to see the Marriott rising above the Convention Center and making its mark in the downtown skyline. I could go on and on but I’ll spare you.

    I would like to see more businesses in DTR and Raleigh in general, follow in the steps of Eyewitness news and have a well lit marquee name of their companies, similar to that of NYC’s Times Square. It would truly bring a greater pulse to the city. Who knows, maybe Fayettevile Street will be our Times Square, although, Glenwood South seems to have the lead on that notion. I believe the Warehouse District could also be contribute greatly to this as well, given time, vision, growth, income and actually following through with new projects, All of these areas and surrounding areas could be what creates our Times Square. We should come up with a name so I can stop calling it our version of Times Square.

    Well, I’ll stop rambling. Matt, thanks again for more than AWESOME job you are doing with this site.

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  2. Jacob wrote:

    Hey, just something i noticed, you’ve been “embedding” the raleighskyline logo in all of your pictures lately. What’s up? I kind of wish you wouldn’t… it makes them less…. je ne sais quoi.

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  3. Official Matt wrote:

    Emanuel – Thanks for the kind words. I love F street so far, and it will only get better.

    Jacob – Believe me, I would rather not do it. But I’ve had a terrible time with copyright infringement with some big time names, and I am doing it as a deterrent.

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  4. Jonah wrote:

    Nice work as always, Matt. You are definitely a skilled photographer. Maybe one day I’ll be 1/10th as good as you are. I particularly like the train photos. A trains-oriented photo series would be really cool … considering that I’m a big train fan. Keep up the good work!

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  5. Dan wrote:

    Hey Matt, I’m a regular to your website. Great work for the May series. Think you can take some photos of the West at North for the next series maybe? It is coming along pretty well, and maybe throw some of the Quorum Tower’s images coming down from Capital Blvd, those views are awesome. I really like your photos from Fayetteville St, and of the new Marriott. Take care

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  6. Official Matt wrote:

    Jonah – Thats a good idea on the train photo series. My brother and I used to be bigger train fans when we were younger. There is a lot of subject matter around town, like the abandoned turntable you can still see on Google maps off of Capital.

    Dan – The Quorum Center does have a nice presence coming south on Capital. Imagine when the Reynolds tower gets under way.

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  7. Dave wrote:

    Very nice pictures! The area in downtown Raleigh that needs the most work is the western edge of the Warehouse DIstrict as seen from the Boylan overpass. The grass and crappy warehouses surrounding the rail lines ruins the skyline vista from the west. No respectable downtown should have an area like that. It looks like something out of “Green Acres”. I hope there are plans to clean that eyesore up.

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  8. Emanuel wrote:

    Dave – I agree with you about the Warehouse District. It is clearly underdeveloped land, but would add so much depth to the DT area if we hand a few highrise and midrise buildings in the area to connect all of the districts in DT. I hope we also aquire after hours venues to the DT area, and hopefully resisdents will support them so we can continue to grow as a metropolitan city.

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  9. Ernest Pecounis wrote:

    Matt,

    The biggest disappointment for me was that this photo tour ended. Every image in this collection has its own personality and adds significantly to the whole. AMAZING work!!!

    If anyone wants to get the big city feel in DT Raleigh, just go to Fayetteville Str, between Hargett Str and Davie Str, during business hours. The area near the RBC Plaza, particularly, is an excellent spot, with continuous movement. Unfortunately, this happens only during business hours, but as more and more condos and destinations open along Fayetteville Str, we are going to see increased pedestrian activity even after business hours.

    Again, excellent work, Matt!!! Very inspiring photos. I, too, love trains and I appreciate the shots with them :) What time did you take the 7th photo? Obviously, it was taken from Clarion Hotel.

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  10. Don wrote:

    Matt—

    Your photos capture the more urban side of Raleigh that is not always present in everday life. You may want to consider teaming up with the Chamber of Commerce to develop some quality promotional material. If you’re ever looking for a new business opportunity, please let me know.

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  11. Todd wrote:

    Matt, I absolutely love your work – I am excited about the growth of Raleigh and love the way you capture it all. Great Job Again!!! :-)

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  12. Jacob wrote:

    “Jacob – Believe me, I would rather not do it. But I’ve had a terrible time with copyright infringement with some big time names, and I am doing it as a deterrent.”

    Okay, I forgive you. You really do some absolutely STUNNING work, it will forever hold the high honor of being my wallpaper on my computer. Thank you so much for all that you do for all of us downtown geeks out there.

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  13. Garland wrote:

    Matt,

    Great work, as always. May I may a request? If you ever get the chance I’d love to see a picture of taken of the “Broughton Angle” during a storm.

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  14. Official Matt wrote:

    Thanks again everyone for the comments.

    Don – Drop me an email if you’d like.

    Garland – The “Broughton Angle” is one of my favorites, except for the fact that its obscured by many things. I just wonder what the view is like from the high school tower.

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  15. Ernest wrote:

    Here are a couple of views of the skyline from the Broughton H.S. angle. The first one is from the street-level and the second one is from the top floor, next to the tower part:

    http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/47550940

    http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/56429861

    Before I took the second one I was hoping for a clearer view, but the trees ruined it for me :(

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  16. Cindy wrote:

    These pictures are wonderful, Matt! I’m new to Raleigh and I’ve shared your site with friends and family back home so they can get a sense of what my new hometown looks like.

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  17. Craig Taylor wrote:

    Matt your pictures are very awesome. They bring in art. I also like to take pictures as well. Just keep up the good work. you are a very skillful photographer plus i’ll be in Raliegh,NC in August for St. Augustine’s College. So I’ll definitely love it down in North Carolina with all the cool pictures you took. Again thank you for taking cool dynomite pictures. Peace and Blessings.
    -Craig

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  18. Grover wrote:

    Matt, when was “Evening above the Boylan wye” taken? I swear I think I happened to drive by you when you were setting up for that shot–was it in the last couple of months or so?

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  19. Official Matt wrote:

    Grover- Its possible. That particular photo was taken on May 10th at 8:08 PM.

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  20. Blessarom wrote:

    Matt congratulations, what a nice page is this, every time I come and visit I find new surprises with those nice and professional pics. Thanks again and I love the first one.
    What are they going to build in the Block B? I would like to know.

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  21. Hank C wrote:

    This is an awesome site and great work! I love browsing through the site and seeing all of the creative shots you have. You have a great eye! I agree with the other posts, downtown Raleigh is definantely on the move but we are in need of a building that will set off the skyline and show the dominence as to why Raleigh is consistently on #1 lists for living, working, quality of life, etc. I hope sometime soon 60+ story building is built. It is shame that the RBC Tower will stop at 32 and the Westin will be in Crabtree Valley.

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  22. Lorenzo Patterson wrote:

    Raleigh’s skyline still looks depressing. It appears much work is needed just to surpass Winston Salem. I will not even compare it to Charlotte. It is really a shame so much of Raleigh and Durham is based in RTP. Not mention the ridiculous idea of putting the RBC center out on the highway and the nicest building ever in Raleigh is being built beside the mall. A shame.

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  23. Emanuel wrote:

    Hank

    I agree, I would love to see at least 3 60 story towers, with one of them being a signature tower for Raleigh.

    Lorenzo,

    You are too funny! I agree with you. I am just happy to see more buildings going up over 30 stories….one building at a a time for now.

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  24. Hank C wrote:

    I agree with Lorenzo’s comments and he brings up valid points. Lets face it, many people across the country here all of these great things about Raleigh and how Wake County has been in the Top 10 fastest growing counties in the nation. All of these individuals laugh at the Raleigh Skyline. There really is not much to it. Luckily it kinf of sets up so it looks larger than what it is. I totally agree as well about the RBC Center. That was about the most ignorant of decisions to place it out in the middle of a cow field. Has there been any major growth out there? Nope. Do the city leaders not realize how much the downtown businesses (nightclubs, hotels, restaurants) would have benefited from this? Also, lets stick Raleigh’s tallest and NC second tallest building beside Crabtree Valley Mall in the flood plane. Yes, that makes a lot of sense!?! So, I guess to sum this up, as long as we have these so-called city planners who can not “PLAN” then downtown Raleigh will never ever be really “wide open”! Period.

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  25. dave wrote:

    raleigh is tiny and has no traffic

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  26. keddrick wrote:

    I feel that the 2 Edison towers(500ft and 414ft) should be combined into 1 tower becoming 914ft…that would be something to look at…I mean, it’s all the same space. that wouldn’t work probably, assuming that building the latter would be more expensive….oh and DAVE Raleigh does have traffic but I’m sorry that it’s not as congested as you may like…you should go to Atlanta or NYC

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  27. sallyofsd wrote:

    RBC belongs out in the “cow pastures”……..they went defunct here in san diego…..BAD COMPANY!

    sr

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  28. jim wrote:

    “should be combined into 1 tower becoming 914ft”

    you’d lose a lot in street level experience with the smaller footprint. Skyscrapers are nice for skylines but you can gain a better urban experience down where the people actually are with more offerings. Two buildings will bring that much more street level business. I can think of areas in Philly and Seattle (albeit magnitudes larger than our 400k people) with great street experience in lowrise areas as a result of street level density.

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  29. Yvette wrote:

    MORE, MORE, MORE

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  30. Robert Bauer wrote:

    These are spectacular shots of your wonderful city. I am the President of the NCN (National Caricaturist Network). We are an international association of caricature artists and we have chosen your fair town for our next annual convention next November. I would love to show some of these images in our private forum so that our members will get a taste of what they have in store for them next year.

    There will be over 200 artists in town from all over the world for one week. We look forward to visiting and learning more about Raleigh. If anyone is interested in visiting us while we compete, please email me at your convenience. Also, any recommendations for things for artists to do or visit while we are there would be appreciated!

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  31. Drew wrote:

    When was traffic a good thing? Raleigh is a beautiful city. It is named one of the best places to live in the country! Raleigh has a lot to offer, to much to start a list. I do miss it!

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  32. Drew wrote:

    These are great pictures Matt… i agree with everyone that said you have a lot of talent. Thanks!

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  33. TC wrote:

    Does anyone know if they are going to clean up and expand that embarrassing area called City Market? That parking lot and police shack continue to be a pathetic eyesore (along with that house that houses a lae office). They lost my business years ago (used to go to Big Ed’s aall the time, their food quality and service continues to go down hill).

    The owner of that complex has done nothing to that area in years. The owner should sell it to someone who gives a damn about it’s appearance.

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  34. JRd wrote:

    I have no idea what you’re tlaking about, TC. Are you talking about the mounted police station? If so, I think that little shack is pretty cool and has a lot of character. I just wish they would put light bulbs in all those sockets that go around the bottom of the roof. I think that would give it back its historical look.

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