GREAT job Matt, 5 acorns for that!

2 acorns

Wonderful! I especially love the last one, because it really puts into perspective the transition between your Future Raleigh Skyline pics with the then-current Raleigh Skyline pics. So excited to be finally visiting in 8 days

Nice photos, too bad the ugly rooftops of the BBT and Sheraton ruin the landscape (the owners of those two buildings need to get their act together and clean up their rooftops - they are collecting substantial dollars on a montlhy basis from each piece of equipment installed (substantial re-curring revenue), reinvest that money into cleaning up each rooftop).

Does anybody know when they are going to start the exterior facelift of the Sheraton? I heard (when the new owers purchased the building) that they were planning to re-configure the main lobby and make the building much taller (complete facelift).

I guess I have to be more careful skydiving downtown nowadays. A zillion acorns.

Matt,

Truly outstanding photos, particularly given the not so clear conditions!!! As for the spire, nothing overwhelming. I was hoping it would look a litle taller, but it’s not bad, either. Even without the spire, RBC Plaza had taken the title of the tallest building in Raleigh.

TC, I think you are referring to the proposed 25-30 story building that will replace the atrium and the 4-story low-rise next to it. The new owners of the Sheraton Hotel have plans to make some renovations to the existing building, but nothing in terms of making Sheraton taller. Before anyone speaks about pies in the sky, let me say that the owners of Sheraton and their Raleigh partners are very serious about this new high-rise, although no immediate plans have been brought forth.

Ernest: You refreshed my memory. I did read that the building next door and the atrium would be coming down (great idea). Thank you for clarifying. Sounds like an interesting plan (hopefully this plan does not take 4-6 years like most projects downtown). Will be interesting to see a rendering of this project.

I actually like the lines of the BB&T building. Its structure is certainly more classical “skyscraper” than the postmodern Wachovia building or the all glass RBC Tower. Had the BB&T building been 2 stories higher, it might have a stronger and more appropriate presence on the skyline. I think that the top would be better viewed from a further distance.

I agree with TC. I wish Two Hanover (BB&T) would do something about their roof top and put their own “crown” on. It would be a rather simple project (and the green looks very faded and dated). And something not as boring as what RBC did. BB&T remains the focal point of downtown (from this angle) and is the “money shot” coming into the city. Why not go ahead and comeletely steal RBC’s thunder?

I still wanna live in that steeple (not the pyramid part, but the boxy part just below it).

Did they really have to put the vents/louvers below the pool level? They, unfortunately, pull my eye to them everytime.

What do people think of Salisbury Street? Drove that street last night, WOW, looks like streets in Charlotte. The street is due for a major facelift (example: the Briggs Hardware Building - the side facing Salisbury is pathetic - the owner completes a major facelift on this building without cleaning up the back of it - there should be a storefront/entrance on the backside of the building - this is just a small example). N&O building - tear it down. There are two old buildings next to the Wachovia building - tear them down and build a 50-60 story building - great location for a signature building. Can go on-and-on, walkability on this street does not exist. Enough consultanting and enough speakers (ie Mayor from Charleston, SC), start making MAJOR changes in downtown (example: how much longer will the Warehouse District be a dumping ground - tear all that down and build a REAL Entertainment complex, like Powerhouse in Baltimore or Gaslamp District in San Diego - both are excellent locations)

Salisbury Street is simply nothing special, yet it offers tremendous opportunities for future redevelopment. I would not go as far as saying that walkability along this street does not exist. In fact, this is a very walkable street and during business hours it gets pretty busy. Unfortunately, the lack of destinations is the biggest obstacle. Too bad Est Est Est and Cuban Cafe didn’t survive - thanks to all the construction along Fayetteville Street prior to the reopening - because they both offered good choices for dining.

So far, there are a few opportunities. The N&O block will eventually be redeveloped. The new County Justice Center and the envisioned 25-30 tower will also improve the situation, but more needs to be done, I am afraid To me, the secret is to develop McDowell Str as best as we can. That way, we’ll see more pedestrian traffic along and near Salisbury Str. It will be an uphill battle though, as the amount of dysfunctional buildings make it impossible to go after big quality projects. It will take strong will and lots of private money, I am afraid.

I agree, Salisbury has a lot of potential. I hate the way it looks now. I even sent the mayor and city council emails asking that something be done with this street. Ernest is right, we need something big on Mcdowell st. Raleigh Police Dept is building a 17 story police Headquarters on MCdowell at Hargett st and the New Court House will be a few blocks down on Mcdowell at Martin St. so this will increase pedestrian traffic during the day time. I really wish they would tare down that awful looking Firestone tire station and build a nice condo tower there.
I also want to add I went to DT Raleigh last night for the first time in a looooooonnnnnngggg time. Us older people don’t get out much. I was in awww about the night life that is going on DT. The streets were packed with people. We ate at the Bourgh on Morgan St and every table was taken. People were standing up eating. People were wanting to come in but there was just no more room. I wish that 20 some story tower across from the Bourgh would hurry up and start so there would be more room from bars and etc.
It was crazy on Glenwood South. It was just off the chain. The restraunts were packed.

Todd,

Your experience reflects exactly what I see in DT Raleigh, particularly during the weekends, although I have seen significant activity even on week nights. Back to the Salisbury Str discussion, it will take a tremendous effort to create a pleasant environment. One way is definitely to create a [pleasant] buffer around Nash Square. The biggest obstacle, in my opinion, is the AT&T building. No matter what goes around it, this structure will be NOTHING less than a huge eyesore that will not be replaced for a very long time. At least, Park Deveraux, Dawson and the Hue, combined will provide a significant number of residents. With more mixed use projects around Nash Square, Salisbury Str will eventually benefit, but with all the focus on Fayetteville Street and the convention area, it will be hard to expect anything for at least another 5 years, if not longer.

I believe not only Salisbury Street, but also Wilmington Street both pose a lot of future potential. I know we all live in a “do it now” society, but there’s so much attention being given to developments along Hillsborough and Dawson, as the hot area to be is between Glenwood South and DT right now. Eventually in due time, I think developers will begin to look eastward (I see this especially happening after the Edison project becomes a reality) and then some positive things will happen.

For some reason, I pictured that spire being 2 or 3 times taller than what it is. Matt’s second photo lends some excellent perspective on the actual size, so that’s not so bad - but from street level in person, I’m reluctantly expressing a little disappointment. It’s more of a lightning rod to me than it is a spire.

Speaking of lightning, I can imagine Matt’s already itching to dash over to the Boylan Bridge the next time lightning comes to the area…

Cool!

Matt K, I totally agree with what you said - including the height of the spire. It will definitely take time to see the entire CBD looking REALLY good… Two Progress Plaza was the catalyst for some of the improved activity along and near Wilmington Str, something that hasn’t happened yet with Salisbury Str, which is why it is critical that something happens now. Much like Block B and the Edison project, the N&O block could provide a great opportunity for a catalyst project that will attract more non-government buildings. Both the new Wake County Justice Center and the Clarence Lightner Public Safety Center - it will be on McDowell Str, I know - are good efforts, but they won’t help in adding residents, something we will desperately need on Salisbury Str and the nearby streets.

RBC doesn’t look 100 feet taller than BB&T from the South Saunders angle.

RBC looks fantastic from Oakwood… I can see the spire from the corner of my street now

Question for you guys…..what kind of retail do you think will go into the RBC Plaza?

John, you need to see the skyline from Boylan Ave, or from a Northern location. Driving down Wake Forest Rd will give you a very good idea of the difference in height. I would recommend the Boylan Ave bridge, though.

Mongo Slade, I am not sure they have found a tenant for the retail space, yet. We know that RBC’s brunch is going to occupy most of the ground level, but that is all we know thus far. Of course, a bank doesn’t count as retail, but I am sure they will look for a tenant that would stay open even after business hours. I would hate to see the rest of the ground floor remain closed after that. Personally, I would love to see a restaurant, or cafe, with entrance either on Wilmington Str, or Martin Str. Ideally, they could have put a little cafe on the Fayetteville Str side, near Yancy’s, but that would be a vision for a perfect world.

Although the South Saunders angle is considered the “money shot”, I think that the Boylan Avenue bridge is the best shot. If only they would fix that area up a little….

^^
Yes, and add a few real skyscrapers between the bridge and Fayetteville Street while they are at it :LOL:

man the BBT building is REALLY ugly IMO. I wish it wasn’t so “clunky” with the greenish boxes up top