Since photos are the best way to communicate the progress made in our cities, I decided to bore you, once more, with the progress made in the second largest city of the Carolinas: Raleigh... Particularly the city's downtown area, where investments that recently approached $1.5 billion promise to alter the image and attitude of this [until-recently] quiet district. As mentioned in the past, especially for those who know little about Raleigh, my photo tours do not demonstrate that Raleigh deserves a place among the major destinations, or show off anything at all. There is nothing to impress you, but I think you will like a few new angles :)

Let's begin with an evening shot, admitedly not the cleanest one you've seen :( This spot (St Mary's and Peace streets) offers a fantastic angle, only spoiled by the wires and the poles. Quorum Center has maxed out and made its impact already.
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088770.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088774.jpg

Gotta prove that my camera has some decent zooming capabilities... for a non-SLR camera:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088775.jpg

Quorum Center looks nice from the state government complex:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088776.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088778.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088779.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088780.jpg

Sometimes I am surprised to see people along Fayetteville Street when so much construction is taking place:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088781.jpg

Now, this is a view that will change significantly in the next few years, if Progress Energy and Highwoods Property do things right:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088782.jpg

This is the location of what we used to call "mystery tower". Currently shelved due to the land owner's lack of experience in development, it is more than certain this project will return:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088783.jpg

This front will be replaced by what I call Progress Plaza North. Notice that the orange/brown-looking building to the left has only its facade standing... There is nothing behind it.
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088784.jpg

Two Progress Plaza proves that there is a nice way to build a high-rise and still offer a variety of destinations on the ground floor:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088786.jpg

Cooper's BBQ will be missed when it is gone. Hopefully, the new development that will occupy the entire block will offer this eatery a brand new home, on the same block:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088787.jpg

La Joy Coffee. I must admit that there was not a living soul inside when I passed that place, but I assume the time wasn't the best for coffee break. it looks like a neat place, though:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088790.jpg

The ground for Palladium Plaza is being prepared (to the rightmost of the photo):
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088791.jpg

Two Progress Plaza's parking decks offer some nice views:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088792.jpg

The "mystery" tower will appear right in the middle of the photo... if someone capable takes the plans and materializes them:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088793.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088795.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088797.jpg

The Hudson is going to be a VERY strange story, for the years to come :lol:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088798.jpg

This is not the official name, but Progress Plaza North should add another 400 residential units and a ton of retail in this block. Not to mention the replacement of the surface lot with something more appealing... hopefully:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088799.jpg

Another view of Cooper's BBQ:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088800.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088801.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088802.jpg

The owner of this "establishment" was going to be the developer of the "mystery" tower:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088803.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088804.jpg

This section needs some height ASAP. There is hardly anything worth saving, I am sorry to say...
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088805.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088806.jpg

The deal for a new restaurant in the following location is pretty much sealed, although there are some complains from other restaurant owners who felt left out of the process. One way or another, we should see something as early as this coming summer. A big win for Fayetteville Street.
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088807.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088809.jpg

Outside the offices of Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA):
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088810.jpg

All right, here comes the interesting part... If you made it thus far, you will be rewarded with some new angles, as far as my photography is concerned. From the top of the Quorum Center, things will look very different. We begin with the core of the state government complex - keep in mind that the first block closest to Quorum Center is the former Caswell Square:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088817.jpg

The CBD, while small, looks very nice from up there:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088819.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088820.jpg

This view will change dramatically once Reynolds Towers I and II get built. If anyone could build something to the East of Clarion Hotel, even if it is a 5-6 story building, the street-level experience will improve significantly. At the right of the photo, the Warehouse District dominates the landscape:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088822.jpg

A small skyline like Raleigh's can benefit from including Clarion Hotel. The lot directly to the North of Clarion Hotel (SE of Quorum Center) presents an outstanding opportunity for something BIG, but will the United Methodist Church people take advantage of it?
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088825.jpg

A little closeup:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088827.jpg

Glenwood South always looks nice to me, but from the 15th floor of Quorum Center it looked prettier than ever. All right, I am not suggesting it is Heaven on Earth, but we all know how fast this place becomes more urban and more mixed-use.
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088813.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088816.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088771.jpg

Things will look very different in a few years. This is the corner of Tucker Str and Boylan Ave, where the 5-story [affordable] residential development will be built:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088811.jpg

Cameron Village:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088814.jpg

North Hills - This is the developing new skyline for Raleigh. The two 7-story structures (hotel and condo) and the two office mid-rises in New North Hills/The Lassiter, and five more mid-rises in North Hills East that may reach as high as 12 stories, will make that area look great from the 15th floor of Quorum Center; all North Hills mid-rises will be clearly visible and distinguished from up there:
http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/55088815.jpg

I can go on and on, but this is a good time to stop. I might add a few more photos later, but this collection of images was long overdue. I hope it wasn't a total waste of your time :)

Your tours are never a waste of time :-). Great pics!
Its really a treat to see what Caswell Square looks like from above: I'd love to see most of it brought back as open space, but at least they have the right idea with the parking in the middle of the block.

Its cool seeing the CBD from quorum; its a nice extra to get a clean shot of 2 progress from that angle.

Its also nice to think about Wilmington Street growing up and really linking City Market, Fayetteville Street and Moore Square. Once Wilimington Street gets a critical mass, look out! I just wish that we'd see the same on Salisbury Street, Unfortunately they have entirely different feels to them. Wilmington feels much more suited to pedestrians than Salisbury.

thanks for the tour RaleighNC. ive been keeping up with the city's updates and i believe downtown is really going to grow up overnight. every high-rise proposal is long overdue and deserved. nice job!

Lookin' good! :okay:

THanks for the pics...I would like to see more of Glenwood South from street level on here.

Thanks everyone. Hopefully I will be able to post [in the future] some pics that escape the ordinary angles and views.

uptownliving, I will certainly make an effort to grab a few more photos from Glenwood South ;)

Great photos. It looks like Raleigh is progressing quite nicely for a city its size.

Good pics. ;)

Raleigh is sitting at the top of a fence, looking at its past and wondering if it should take the next big step into its future. The road to thinking big and acting upon a greater vision is neither short, nor easy. Every time y'all see photos from the city - mostly downtown, anyway - you cannot help realizing that you look at the same old Raleigh, over and over again. We keep talking about how different the skyline will be around 2008, but who has the patience to wait until then? Anyway, I think that Raleigh is at least moving to a better direction than before and through our photos we can only record history in its making. Glad you guys paid this thread a visit... I appreciate it.

Thanks for the update Ernest! I really liked a lot of the shots! :okay:
Kip

I could look at pictures of my city all day! Great shots. Last time i was riding downtown i noticed that near the courtyard behind the archdale building and that area has some nice views of raleigh. I love Raleigh!

The Hudson really isn't a pretty building from those pics, reminds me of an old high school or something lol....

Hey there, long time viewer, but now finally a member. Anyways, as a member of Raleigh for my entire life, i am excited about all that is going on. I live in the North Hills area, and everything around this area of town is booming. Can anyone superimpose the proposed buildings in the North Hills pic? It would be really interesting to see how the area will look in a few years.

Welcome to the forum, Rufus... I tried to superimpose the proposed buildings in North Hills, but visually the result was not good enough to share with other forumers. Maybe Flash can do something, if he is looking at this thread ;) Nine mid-rises from 7 to 12 stories are nothing to ignore for a small area like that, so I hope to see the plans materialize. Unfortunately, we have the Board of Adjustments to "thank" for screwing up with the two 10+ story midrise proposals for the New North Hills, at the corner of Six Forks Rd and Lassiter Mill Rd, but they will come back as shorter buildings, most likely around 7 stories. They asked the developer to push the buildings 136ft away from the road, which is insane. This time, Kane has learned and he shouldn't have much difficulty getting his mid-rise developments approved for the East North Hills project. To enjoy that view, you need to get somewhere around the middle of Quorum Center (7th or 8th floor), otherwise the [future] skyline of North Hills will be overwhelmed by the foliage.

Thanks to all for viewing my pics and for sharing your thoughts.

Excellent pictures Raleigh Penguin. I'm always amazed by the numbers of people on the streets in your fotos. People activity gives a city a sense of bustle, and Raleigh seems to have it in spades. Your city is definitely destined to be a major urban center. Congratulations!

^^
Linux rules!!! That is where the penguin came from :)

Seriously, though, DT Raleigh's pedestrian activity is very good, given the state of things. Naturally, the CBD's lack of entertainment destinations and the limited residential presence makes the very core seem dead after business hours, but areas like City Market and Glenwood South maintain a decent level of activity. As you said, though, and we hope this is true, Raleigh - downtown in particular - is destined to become a major urban center. I cannot see the pedestrian activity reduce as time goes by, and with all those great projects and destinations under wayI have reasons to believe that DT Raleigh's sleepy self is long gone. Thanks for being supportive... it means a lot to us, Triangle forumers.

Raleigh is sitting at the top of a fence, looking at its past and wondering if it should take the next big step into its future. The road to thinking big and acting upon a greater vision is neither short, nor easy. Every time y'all see photos from the city - mostly downtown, anyway - you cannot help realizing that you look at the same old Raleigh, over and over again. We keep talking about how different the skyline will be around 2008, but who has the patience to wait until then? Anyway, I think that Raleigh is at least moving to a better direction than before and through our photos we can only record history in its making. Glad you guys paid this thread a visit... I appreciate it.

I agree about the same old picture of Raleigh. Hope nobody minds but I captured the new picture with the RBC in it and use it for my wallpaper.I am just as impatient as you are and wish I could snap my finger and look 20 years into the future ...just for about 30 seconds.But, It scares me....will it be the same old Raleigh or the new Raleigh along the lines of present day Charlotte. Somehow I just don't believe the old ways will be around much longer.And I agree that Raleigh is finally heading in the right direction (UP)

Amen to that, eastwestrob :okay: The obstacle I see with Raleigh's skyline is the cluster of boxes we currently have right in the center. Have you noticed how the city officials are confused these days? One day they try to think big, and the next day the waste time talking about the street-level of the convention hotel but ignore the fact that the entire structure is nothing but an eyesore :( This city needs some serious change in leadership before major things happen. We need someone who can think big, like in Charlotte. It scares me to think that the few areas where major developments can go may be sacrificed in the altar of "small town thinking". I do not say no to preservation, but when we have people who try to find a reason to maintain older low-rises, without architecture, or character, just for the sake of preservation, it worries me a lot. Eventually, it will be extremely expensive to build in downtown. No wonder why all those condos cost so much money. The city needs to make it easy to develop in downtown - I know they have been talking about it a lot these days. One way or another, Raleigh's skyline will look very different in a few years... and so will the streets of our city's core.

Great pictures Ernest! You put together a nice set from the past month or so, especially those from the Quorum

I can't wait to see all the cranes up at @ the same time. Soon there will be some serious density after all the dust settles. My thoughts are this...It will take the next 3 years for all scheduled to be complete. Then it should be time for the next wave which may be about what we are facing now...then I think it will be time for some good height to come to downtown.I predict the first 50-60 floor to be by 2012. Any thoughts on this?

We've got to walk before we can run. I'd wildly guess that we'd see something in the 40 story neighborhood by then, but I wouldn't dare make a prediction until around 2009 and to see how all this new office/condo space is absorbed. I still don't think the condo market alone would be able to handle that by 2012 (maybe a 20-30 story condo building by then) Also unless we net a major relocation, I don't see an office tower popping up like that either. Who knows, maybe Raleigh could support a 50+ mixed use by 2012, but only time will tell. I'll be happy as long as the momentum continues.

Nice Raleigh photos. I rarely get a chance to keep up with what's going on in NC's second city, I'm almost always keeping up with what's going on in Charlotte, but it's nice to see things are starting to shape up in Raleigh. Hopefully down the road Raleigh will have a skyline that's comparable with Charlotte's in terms of best skylines in NC. Keep up the good work Raleigh!

We've got to walk before we can run. I'd wildly guess that we'd see something in the 40 story neighborhood by then, but I wouldn't dare make a prediction until around 2009 and to see how all this new office/condo space is absorbed. I still don't think the condo market alone would be able to handle that by 2012 (maybe a 20-30 story condo building by then) Also unless we net a major relocation, I don't see an office tower popping up like that either. Who knows, maybe Raleigh could support a 50+ mixed use by 2012, but only time will tell. I'll be happy as long as the momentum continues.

Raleigh is already delivering a 42 floor...although it is not downtown

I was only talking about the downtown market. The Soleil Center is unique in a lot of respects, but it also doesn't have a lot of direct competition where its being built. I get the feeling that DT is in sort of a "wait and see" mode right now. I don't think we'll hear about anything large until developers are sure that the market can support it. We've got a lot of sq footage going up in the next 2-3 years; and a lot of it being completed right about the time that the convention complex is being finished. Without knowing how those projects are going to fare, its a big gamble to try to fill up more than 10 stories of space. Until we know about sales of Site 1, Reynolds, RBC, Bloomsbury, Palladium, etc etc.

@Flash: Thanks for the kind words and support. You have been a great inspiration with your outstanding photography. Hopefully we'll find an opportunity to get together and take a few photos one of these days ;)

@eastwestrob: The possibility of hitting the 50-60 floors range is there, but not until Soleil Center, RBC Tower, Reynolds Towers I & II and Site 1 become successes that will inspire larger developments. Something around 50 stories will not be developed during the current City Council, I guarantee you that. Their idea of "too big" lies around 30 stories; don't let the approval of Soleil Center fool you. The city officials may have the necessary enthusiasm, but they lack the ability to dream big. Soleil Center overwhelmed most of them and caught them by surprise. The biggest opportunity we could have is if Fidelity Investments moves some of its operations to DT Raleigh. With 5000 new jobs coming to this area, I cannot imagine how the city officials could not lure at least 1000-2000 of those employees to DT Raleigh. Not that I expect something to happen, but 5000 employees could very easily bring 2-3 new towers, including a 50-60 story skyscraper. When companies like Fidelity Investments get to the point to consider DT Raleigh, then we can say with confidence that our city is ready for big time. Until then, we can only hope.

@romec: You said it... The square footage we'll be getting in the next few years will be more than enough to prevent other major towers from being built soon. Without a big corporate relocation it will be hard to make skyscrapers appealing investments for DT Raleigh. My one and only [realistic] hope comes from First Citizens Bank (FCB). I know that it is a very long shot, and that most people would not hold their breath, but FCB is the only institution capable of building a 40-50 story tower for their own needs in DT Raleigh. The question is, how could one make downtown a viable proposition for FCB? The city officials do not necessarily care because FCB is already in Raleigh. Of course, we can always hope for a large mixed-use development, or a high-rise similar to RSA Tower in Mobile, AL; the latter case could define the skyline for a VERY long time, even without going as high as 50-60 stories.