columbia sc aka THE BOWELS OF HELL

That's kind of harsh, don't you think?

I must say though that I do realize how lucky we are to call Raleigh home after visiting many cities that are not as well off. The sad thing is, most American cities that have not historically planned well for the future and focused on addressing critical infrastructure and commerce needs, will never catch up with todays' more prosperous cities.

columbia sc aka THE BOWELS OF HELL
Come on, it can't be that bad... You guys have a lot to be proud of. You may not have Raleigh's population numbers, but your city seems to have done a lot of things right to maintain good standards of living. I am sure that if you were to move here, you would realize that Columbia isn't as bad as it feels to you now. Don't get me wrong, Raleigh is a great place to live, and it is a more dynamic place than most people can imagine, but when we were the same size with Columbia, things didn't feel great here, either.

They key is, and I agree with ncnative, to plan ahead. Think big and make some bold moves. Preserve what must be preserved and throw away the rest, if necessary. In our case, there is a lot of throwing away to do :)

This whole post should be in the DTR thread but the question originated here so... We were asked for modern architecture we like. First, here is something Raleigh is actually getting. The new AIA NC headquarters will go on the triangle of land across Peace St. from Seaboard near the Archdale Bldg. It is designed by Raleigh's own Frank Harmon. Images at http://www.aianc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=76



As for innovation, I do look forward to the Soleil Center and the new NC Museum of Art but here are some others:

Santiago Calatrava's new residential tower in NYC
http://www.hughpearman.com/2006/illustrations/CalatravaNYCtower_01a.jpg

and his "Turning Torso" in Sweden. This is what the RBC Plaza could have been with a little imagination and guts. They DID make almost $5 billion profit last year and this IS their US headquarters. But Highwoods Properties is their local property manager and as with all things Highwoods, we get "eh."
http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/project/uploaded_files/392_turning%20torso.jpg

Thoughts for Raleigh's Contemporary Art Museum? Here is Cincinnati's. Designed by Iraq's own Zaha Hadid.
http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/archawards/2005/2005photos/ROSENTH.jpg

Personally, I like this alot:




http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a3/Museum_Plaza.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ver2go/mp1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ver2go/m2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/ver2go/m4.jpg



Now this is innovative!!!

This structure will contain 2 condo towers, office space, and a Westin hotel all in the same complex. If Louisville can do this, why can't Raleigh do something just as innovative and spectacular?

Sorry guys, but outside the "Turning Torso", in Malmo (Sweden), the rest are nothing I care to see in Raleigh. Personal opinion, of course. Now, if somebody wants to bring such projects here, I won't protest, or bitch about them, but I'd rather see other designs, friendlier to my eyes. Just for the record, there was a big debate over the Museum Plaza (Louisville, KY), here at SSC, and I stood with those who favored this project. If someone is to propose this for Raleigh, I am fine, because we need some diversity, but I prefer designs with better street-level experience.

I was hoping to see some ideas on smaller scale buildings, particularly detached homes, townhouses and mid-rise condo buildings. Thanks for posting these designs, though. I am, too, looking forward to seeing Soleil Center rising from the ground - always been a big supporter of this proposal. Personally, I like Soleil Center better than most contemporary desings I've seen to this day, although I would LOVE to have something like the Signature Tower (Nashville, TN) :)

http://www.srssa.com/img/home/onboards_signature.jpg

Those sky scrappers would not go where the hinsdale project is slated to be.

what do you like in the 3-4 floor variety?

TSnow27604 mentioned that his renderings would be more appropriate in the DT Raleigh section, but he gave me a good idea as to what he perceives as innovative. The Hinsdale Row site would not be a good host for a skyscraper proposal, I agree. The developer is also proposing something below the allowable height and density numbers, which should at least satisfy some, although I've read responses by some skeptics (NIMBYs) and wanted to scream. I think that there are many opportunities to build a nice project in this location, regardless of the architecture, although out of respect for the existing fabric I would not get too adventurous with the design. If there needs to be a more contemporary component, I think the Peace Str side would be a good candidate for it, though I still prefer what I see proposed, assuming the final product will not be a cheap imitation.

I know I sound like a broken record, but I still believe that more contemporary - you may call them innovative, if you will - designs would look better in the Warehouse District and parts of Glenwood South, particularly East of West Str. South of downtown may also be a good area to begin this new trend, since there are not much historically significant architecture to preserve and respect. If you think about it, we are talking about a very large territory, so we need several bold developers to deliver on this vision.

Why are you guys showing buildings being built in other cities? :weird: Jealous I guess.

Anyone ever seen houses made of shipping containers? I think that screams innovative. I think this idea would be a better fit for downtown, warehouse district specifically, but could surely be modified for certain neighborhoods.

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/contcity5.jpg

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/contcity3.jpg

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/contcity8.jpg

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/container_house5.jpg

^^hummmmm i don't think i'm lovin it

Nice examples of contemporary designs, cophead. Just for the record, I am not a fan of these designs, but there is room for them in Raleigh. Much of innovation takes place in the material reuse and efficiency, therefore I expect some unusual designs to surface. I am also dying to see some of these contemporary designs that have strong urban form. I have seen a few in some books, but I will have to look online for images I can share with you.

Here are some designs I find interesting - regardless of my own preferences. The first two are the same project (somewhere in Brittish Columbia).

http://www.joanrichter.com/uploaded-images/1495%20Graham_1.jpg

http://www.joanrichter.com/uploaded-images/Fuzion%20Nov%2020%2007.jpg

Kind of suburban setting (Denver, CO):
http://denvermodern.mariah.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/4079oceolast.JPG

This one is in Phoenix, AZ:
http://www.urban30.net/images/ext-6.jpg

A few from Dallas, TX (the last one is not modernistic, but in my opinion is more innovative than what we have here):
http://www.surrealtyhomes.com/images/holland/4106-holland-250.jpg

http://www.surrealtyhomes.com/images/boll/2202_400.jpg

http://www.surrealtyhomes.com/images/so-versailles/3710-400.jpg

http://www.surrealtyhomes.com/images/so-versailles/3718-front-400.jpg

http://www.kellyspicks.com/hirise/Brownstones%20on%20Bowser,%20The/front.jpg

Here is a good example of what I do not want to see (from Orlando, FL), even though the design of the contemporary residence isn't too bad. This house is adjacent to an older home. In the second photo you can see - and this is subjective - how out of place it looks. Not bad, just not good enough.
http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/new/editor_images/TNAH/2007/lede_w_caption.jpg

http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/new/editor_images/TNAH/2007/tnah2007_exteriorside.jpg

Somewhere in Baltimore, MD, I think. This house is located in a suburban subdivision, if I saw the right site plan:
http://www.clippermillhomes.com/images/overlook_photo.jpg

Somewhere in Chicago, IL. These designs should work in several areas of DT Raleigh:
http://wibiti.com/images/hpmain/348/145348.jpg

The Louisville project looks very impressive. Just looking at the renderings makes me think "big city." Now, I love the fact that ITB/DTR Raleigh is growing taller and more dense but a lot of the projects, to me, look like things that could be built in smaller cities. I could see the RBC Plaza being built in Greensboro (my home town) or Winston. When I see the Louisville project, I'm thinking "Wow, Louisville is growing up" and it makes me want to know more about what they've got going on. The Signature Tower is impressive in that it's tall. Really tall. And the design's not bad but it's not groundbreaking. These buildings do take me down a peg if I get big-headed about Raleigh's growth. As far as smaller projects like 3-4 story condo/townhouses, I cannot really think of anything in Raleigh that I would call out as inspiring. It's hard to pick something built elsewhere as a good fit for the Hinsdale property as everything should play-off and be inspired by the existing surroundings. This is not to say new buildings should mimic the neighbors. Actual I wish that stretch of Peace Street would be our little Buckhead with outdoor, street-side dining up and down those blocks like Mellow Mushroom. How cool would it be to have an area to stroll, eat, see and be seen. It would be a great extension for Glenwood South and in the years to come could be extended down the hill towards Capital Blvd. especially if the city moves the garbage truck parking lot. Also, if the Hinsdale is a go, why is there a house on that block for sale? The developer should have snatched it up and it shouldn't be on the market. Finally for this post, I think the Glen-on-Peace building is completely dumpy, cheap looking, and wrong for that spot. To me it's like someone went online, typed in "generic condos," and printed out the plans. If this area becomes all it can be, that building will be an eye-sore and I hope that's why we haven't seen any movement on it in years.

The Louisville project looks very impressive. Just looking at the renderings makes me think "big city."

Exactly! My thoughts about the Museum Plaza is that it is first of all, innovative, and secondly it is iconic. It will grow to represent Louisville for many years to come. That is what Raleigh needs. The Soleil Center kind of will do that, but then again, many other cities have similar structures.

Finally for this post, I think the Glen-on-Peace building is completely dumpy, cheap looking, and wrong for that spot. To me it's like someone went online, typed in "generic condos," and printed out the plans. If this area becomes all it can be, that building will be an eye-sore and I hope that's why we haven't seen any movement on it in years.

Precisely! Eventhough that spot of land in front of Paramount is small, developers should be looking for ways to maximize every single square footage and design structures that blend with the environment, instead of trying to put up quick and dirty residential structures in order to make a fast buck. If the city of Raleigh does not get control over this issue, eventually the developers will create an urban landscape that is nothing more than a hodgepog of tacky bldgs, and nothing will blend well with the surroundings.

As far as smaller projects like 3-4 story condo/townhouses, I cannot really think of anything in Raleigh that I would call out as inspiring. It's hard to pick something built elsewhere as a good fit for the Hinsdale property as everything should play-off and be inspired by the existing surroundings.
Fair enough... It will take a good amount of research to find and separate the truly innovative designs from the simply modernistic ones. To me, it is very important to focus on efficiency these days. A lot of innovation in architecture is taking place as a result of seeking more efficient designs.

Actual I wish that stretch of Peace Street would be our little Buckhead with outdoor, street-side dining up and down those blocks like Mellow Mushroom. How cool would it be to have an area to stroll, eat, see and be seen. It would be a great extension for Glenwood South and in the years to come could be extended down the hill towards Capital Blvd. especially if the city moves the garbage truck parking lot.
I totally agree with your vision. I think this is what the city leaders envisioned and there is a Peace Street revitalization plan that could be the starting point. I will look into it, but if someone finds it before I do, PLEASE post it here.

Also, if the Hinsdale is a go, why is there a house on that block for sale? The developer should have snatched it up and it shouldn't be on the market.
Hinsdale is not approved yet. The developers are still in discussions with the neighborhood and so far they seem to enjoy overwhelming support. They will not develop the entire block, so it is natural that they will only focus on properties they currently own. Besides, they may eventually make an offer and buy that house - if I had money I would, provided it is in a good shape.

Finally for this post, I think the Glen-on-Peace building is completely dumpy, cheap looking, and wrong for that spot. To me it's like someone went online, typed in "generic condos," and printed out the plans.
True :( They could have done a much better job with the design, but since the developer hasn't really done much yet, there is hope someone else might jump into this deal.

OK, one more thought about Peace St. No matter what happens, we gotta keep the 7 Even!

^^ :lol:
Yeah, that used to be my favorite place to hang out when I first moved to Raleigh. I was staying with some friends at Deveraux Ct, just a block away, and I used to talk with the owners a lot, along with one of their employees - we became friends afterwards. 7-Even is definitely a keeper!!!

Since we also speak of innovative designs, here is an interesting one, found in this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=577717). This is a wine store in the town of Haro (Rioja Region, Spain); I think the design is very nice and goes with the nature of that place (photos are courtesy of Nuriarami, unless he found them online).

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8898/rondoniawineryzahahadidtk4.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/3924/harotondoniawinery2yc1.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2674/rondoniawineryzahahadidhw4.jpg

With North Carolina's wine industry growing fast, it would be nice to see a few wine stores that promote local flavors. A design like the above could fit in many locations in our city; could also include an area where people can eat meals that match various local wines. Just an idea...

The Louisville project is an example of what I talked about in my last post. It is 1960's/1970's architecture. The three buildings posted by TSnow27604 are examples of contemporary architecture.

:cool:

From: http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=AAB5844F14E65392EE303E6B0DBD7B2C

Casto Lifestyle and First Carolina Breaking Ground on Park West Village this Spring
Casto Lifestyle Properties and First Carolina Properties have received site plan approval on Park West Village, a massive mixed-use development to be built in Morrisville, NC.

Following approval, Casto set a spring 2008 ground breaking for Park West -- delivery is expected by fall 2009. The 100-acre project, located at Cary Parkway and Hwy 54, will include 750,000 square feet of retail space, 50,000 square feet of office space, an 140-room hotel, 321 apartments and significant green space.

The site was formerly a Bristol-Meyers plant and will now become a mixed-use lifestyle center. Casto is leasing the project.

:cool:

From: http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=AAB5844F14E65392EE303E6B0DBD7B2C

Casto Lifestyle and First Carolina Breaking Ground on Park West Village this Spring
Casto Lifestyle Properties and First Carolina Properties have received site plan approval on Park West Village, a massive mixed-use development to be built in Morrisville, NC.

Following approval, Casto set a spring 2008 ground breaking for Park West -- delivery is expected by fall 2009. The 100-acre project, located at Cary Parkway and Hwy 54, will include 750,000 square feet of retail space, 50,000 square feet of office space, an 140-room hotel, 321 apartments and significant green space.

The site was formerly a Bristol-Meyers plant and will now become a mixed-use lifestyle center. Casto is leasing the project.


Thanks for posting this! I started my career at that Bristol-Myers facility back in 1996. Sad to see it go.

g-man, is this project exciting for you? Dude, this is HORRIBLE redevelopment effort. Just look at the site plan and the brochure and tell me how can I not lament. They could have done 100 times better with this location. Too bad Morrisville doesn't have the balls to tell the developer to go back to the drawing board and return with something MUCH better.

http://www.castolp.com/images/Project/Morrisville%20site%20map156853.jpg

I must say, I love their brochure!!! They have included a rendering with a nice urban scene, as if Park West Village will look like that :lol: Check out the brochure and have a few laughs, or cries, whichever is preferable: http://www.castolp.com/files/ProjectDownload/PWV%20Brochure868727.pdf

^^Looks fine to me except for the big box store located at the northwest corner of the property. :dunno: Way better than this thing that will start construction next month and will be built less than 2 miles from my house: http://www.cedarwooddevelopment.com/projects.aspx?id=easley

Too bad Morrisville doesn't have the balls to tell the developer to go back to the drawing board and return with something MUCH better.



They take what they can get over there. That's how Raleigh and Cary were when they were first experiencing their growth spurts.

I am not sure you are familiar with that area, so check out a satellite image:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cary,+nc&ie=UTF8&ll=35.807268,-78.81757&spn=0.013121,0.020084&t=h&z=16

If Park West Village is to be compared to something - I think the developers mentioned North Hills as an example - let's see what North Hills looks like and make a better decision:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=cary,+nc&ie=UTF8&ll=35.838446,-78.642744&spn=0.006558,0.010042&t=h&z=17

Keep in mind that there are two midrises envisioned for the area you see in the North tip of the development (SW corner of Lassiter Mill Rd and Six Forks Rd). Also, the area to the East of north Hills (SE corner of Dartmouth Rd and Six Forks Rd) is being developed into a more urban development and will include 3-4 highrises. Here are a couple more images, published in the [anything but] Independent publication, courtesy of Casto Lifestyle Properties:

http://www.indyweek.com/binary/5133/Bill.jpg

http://www.indyweek.com/binary/c558/Mary.jpg

I am not allying with this group, but go ahead and read their petition, here (http://davisandhighhouse.homestead.com/FLYER1-7PM__1_.pdf). Most people behind the petition are nothing but hypocrites, in my book. First they moved to the area (= need for new housing), ignored the need for preservation (tons of green areas and little traffic, back then), and now they are trying to convince everyone that they are not NIMBYs, bringing traffic, density and other lame excuses to the discussion. Instead of opposing this lame project strictly based on its layout and aesthetics, they take the road much traveled. I will agree with them on this: the developers should pick up the bill for most of, if not for all, the additional infrastructure improvements needed.

Of course, we are not discussing NIMBYs here, but the project, itself. Well, you can compare North Hills and Park West Village and draw conclusions. If a developer spends so much money and still can't get it right, then we don't need this kind of developers. I would be ashamed to propose such a mess :ohno: A lot of the local developers claim that they want to build mixed-use, New Urbanist and/or North Hills-like communities, but fail miserably to do so. Quite frankly, I don't even understand why North Hills is used as a model. Outside being successful as a redevelopment, it is not nearly as urban as most of us hoped. Part of it is the outdated zoning laws, but Kane could, and should have done better. We do hope for NHE to become what North Hills (West) should be.

They take what they can get over there. That's how Raleigh and Cary were when they were first experiencing their growth spurts.
Very true. Still, I was hoping that they have learned from our mistakes, but you are correct. My problem, on the other hand, is with the developer. If you were in their shoes, would you not like to build something sustainable? Something that could be expanded in the future? I would guess the answer is "yes", but the developers of Park West Village don't seem to share this view.

Oh well, too late for that. Like you said, "they take what they can".

If you were in their shoes, would you not like to build something sustainable? Something that could be expanded in the future?



For commercial and residential developers that is not always the case. In most cases what they build seems to always boil down to the almighty dollar, and it's usually not a matter of what they can finacially afford to do, but rather what will maximize their returns.

If this coincides with what we consider to be sustainable, urban, and well developed, then all well and good. If it doesn't, they couldn't care less because they're laughing all the way to the bank.

Just look at the Hueproject for example. there is no way that anyone in their right minds can say that this project is a good use of that space, but nevertheless, it's getting built and the developer stands to make a huge profit.

Agree!!! The ROI (a.k.a. bottom line) is what drives a development and this project is no exception. I was only hoping that the developer would have at least the common sense to line up the buildings along Chapel Hill Rd, instead of placing their rear side along it. They could include the same uses, but make the layout more urban and attractive. Now, we have to wait another 50 years, until someone buys this mess and makes some improvements :(

I just realized that this discussion should have taken place in the Triangle Developments thread. Where is g-man? I am going to slap him with a rotten fish until I knock some sense into him. Wrong place to post this project, dude :bash:

^^You rang? :D I didn't even know there was a Triangle Development News thread until now. Oops. :lol:

All right, I forgive you... for now. Next time it happens, the rotten fish will make its appearance in Greenville :lol:

I always thought that Morrisville had too many trees and not enough traffic. Glad to see someone is making headway to decrease the former and increase the latter.

I agree with NCNative (and others.) These type developers take more pride in their Ford F-250s and their boats than their impact on the environment and the finished design. Land is cheaper in Morrisville, Fuquay, Holly Springs, Pittsboro so that's where wanna-bes go to build things. This is a typical example of sprawl at it's worst.

Did you know that the town of Morrisville did not want a regional rail station within its limits? And Cary jumped into this opportunity, suggesting that they could use a parcel within its town limits, VERY close to Morrisville :lol: You would think that the latter learned something, but this is not the case. Not that Cary is much better, but the growth in Morrisville has surpassed any expectations and the town has a great opportunity to do something right.

I always thought that Morrisville could adopt a similar vision with Carrboro (minus the 5-story limitation), but I was fooled :( Oh well, this is a lost cause, I guess. Maybe if Raleigh takes some lead other municipalities will learn, although I am afraid the damage will be too big to fix. The only solution I see right now is a common transportation initiative, followed by developers delivering some transit-oriented projects.

A couple of years ago I was speaking with a Morrisville city councilman (or whatever their official titles are) and he was anti-rail and claimed that it would bring undesirable people to Morrisville. He started quoting statistics and research that showed crime follows rail transit. I was in the position of having to be polite but I wanted to laugh and tell him he was nuts. I believe this is the arguement Georgetown used in DC and now they are kicking themselves that there is no Metro stop. It's a long walk to Foggy Bottom or DuPont Circle. (And I'm sure not walking to Morrisville.)

Well, this type of mentality is typical of people who think of NYC's subway system whenever they hear "public transit". There is a lot to be feared, or at least there was when I lived there, so I'd say there is truth to that councilman's concerns. However, a light/regional rail in the Triangle doesn't have to help bad people move around. With some good policing and provided many "normal" people use the transit, it could become a safe means for moving around Raleigh for all. Besides, what in the Earth is a "bad person" going to do in Morrisville, the way the town is today? He will risk getting hit by a car, or getting lost in the woods and die of starvation. Or worse, look at all the suburban ugliness and commit suicide :lol:

Nothing groundbreaking to report, except for this little piece of news: NCSU revives Centennial hotel project (http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/03/03/story1.html?b=1204520400^1598208&t=printable). I am not sure the original plan was to place the hotel among the existing buildings, but I would love to see this happening (see image below, courtesy of TBJ and NCSU). Also, I am hoping to see something above 5-6 stories, which was the original plan.

http://cll.bizjournals.com/story_image/111796-400-0.jpg

A couple of years ago I was speaking with a Morrisville city councilman (or whatever their official titles are) and he was anti-rail and claimed that it would bring undesirable people to Morrisville. He started quoting statistics and research that showed crime follows rail transit. I was in the position of having to be polite but I wanted to laugh and tell him he was nuts. I believe this is the arguement Georgetown used in DC and now they are kicking themselves that there is no Metro stop. It's a long walk to Foggy Bottom or DuPont Circle. (And I'm sure not walking to Morrisville.)

I've never heard anyone from Georgetown complain about the lack of a Metro stop.

Some more light is shed on Soleil Center: Soleil pitches luxe for less to fill condos (http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/984944.html). Glad to know Soleil Group realized that their prices were a bit too high, especially with all the lending issues financial institutions have to deal with. The key phrase here is "Soleil is offering up to $200,000 discounts for some of the 54 condominiums at Soleil Center..." I bet these units are either overpriced to begin with, or their layout is not the best one. However, the article states that those who purchased condos earlier will also receive discount, which I think it is fair.

You might be interested to know that the crane was removed from the Renaissance Hotel, in North Hills. Now it is located at NHE, at the CAPTRUST Tower site, and it should be ready either today, or tomorrow. Can't wait to see this high-rise built, although it will appear like a sore thumb, without the rest of the development in place :lol:

Now it is located at NHE, at the CAPTRUST Tower site, and it should be ready either today, or tomorrow. Can't wait to see this high-rise built, although it will appear like a sore thumb, without the rest of the development in place :lol:

It would have been awesome if they would have considered building a taller, slimmer tower downtown.

Yes, I agree. Let me add that Kane also attracted the largest office tenant of The Hillsborough, contributing partially to the delays and the scale down of the latter. North Hills has proven to be both good and bad for downtown. Unfortunately, it is still cheaper to do businesses outside the core, but I do hope that some day First Citizens Bank will see the light and reconsider their older plans for a downtown tower. I may be daydreaming,but I am still hoping. On the positive side, the tenants of CAPTRUST Tower could have opted for Brier Creek, or other suburban locations. Still, I wish they had brought a much taller version of this building to downtown. They could have easily gone above 25 floors!!!

Some interesting news for East/South-East Raleigh: Wake, Raleigh eye public-private development of 417 acres (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/03/10/story1.html). Will anything good come out of it? I truly hope so...

Also, we have some good news concerning the new effort to bring a light-rail system to Raleigh: Capital Boulevard route central to Raleigh transit (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/03/10/story5.html). This is a good step forward towards creating a meaningful transportation system, particularly a light-rail system. The following quote surely makes me happy because this is the way to explain things to people. Light-rail where it makes sense is the best way to get started.
"It is easy to explain to the public why that is such an important corridor because everybody knows what a mess Capital Boulevard is," says TTA General Manager David King, referring to vehicular traffic.

I've never heard anyone from Georgetown complain about the lack of a Metro stop.
I can't speak for Georgetown residents, but I can say that the 8 Million plus DC-Baltimore region collectively wishes Georgetown had a metro and resents the residents of that section for opposing it when it mattered.

I can't speak for Georgetown residents, but I can say that the 8 Million plus DC-Baltimore region collectively wishes Georgetown had a metro and resents the residents of that section for opposing it when it mattered.


The reason why they oppose a metro is because they fear that it will bring in the rift raft. They're afraid of their property values going down.

More whinning: Progress eats into history (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/990493.html). Yes, let's keep the old homes around until their ceilings fall on people's heads. A place's history can be honored without keeping every little old home around. The current residents are better off with some renewing of their neighborhood, IMHO. Maybe a little park/square could be created to remind future generations of that area's history.

The crane is up at the CAPTRUST Tower!!! Took some photos yesterday, but I am too selfish to share them :lol:

^^:rant: I'm gonna slap you with my fish if you don't post them.

Raleigh-NC, do you really believe that about Oberlin? I think this is the perfect candidate for some sort of historic neighborhood status and then give tax incentives to restore those houses. "Nice" doesn't have to equal "big." What's wrong with having a more affordable neighborhood with a great location AND a great history? Now I'll agree about the current conditions. A couple of friends of mine used to live over there and many of the houses are in HORRIBLE shape but so were the houses in Boylan Heights 10-15 years ago. (Some still are.) Thank goodness those weren't summarily torn down for McMansions. As the article states, there are residents of that community that can directly trace their ancestors back to freed slaves who settled there after the Civil War. They should be proud and want to save their families' heritage. I think a neighborhood of well maintained, nice houses with a documented, important history would better serve the city and the residents of "Oberlin Village" than a historical marker.

I am not advocating McMansions, or the uprooting of anyone. I believe that nice homes can be built and remain affordable for the local population. There is no comparison between the houses in Boylan Heights and this particular location, even from 10 years ago. There aren't many homes in this area that may be called truly historic, but like I said, there are things we can do to honor the freed slaves and respect the history of this place. Something that will help future generations to remember, while improving the image of the neighborhood.

Personally I do not care what they do with those old houses, but I am not going to tell someone what to do with his/her property. If someone owns a parcel and wants to build a 3000sf home, it is his/her business. My only wish is to see a good urban form and the blending with the existing fabric (from an architectural standpoint). Other than that, I am not sure the freed slaves of 100 years ago will be insulted if someone builds a better looking 3000sf home in that neighborhood. Just my opinion, of course.

Capital Blvd route may be first in line for a new rail line:

http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/03/10/story5.html

Does anyone have any property to sell along Capital Blvd??? :lol:

Hmm...seems like a good play to me. You have a steady stream of commuters (well, traffic isn't moving so steady) that go in to and out of downtown Raleigh on that route. Plus--Crapital Boulevard is just a disgusting road...one of the most poorly planned roads in the region. Many people would absolutely love to see that area get re-done...no better way to make it attractive than to change the types of buildings in the area, and put a nice rail line in close proximity. Nice.

Downtown Raleigh is growing, North Raleigh is huge and that Wake Forest area is growing like crazy as well---you WILL get ridership on this line. Great first step for Raleigh.

Hmm...seems like a good play to me. You have a steady stream of commuters (well, traffic isn't moving so steady) that go in to and out of downtown Raleigh on that route. Plus--Crapital Boulevard is just a disgusting road...one of the most poorly planned roads in the region. Many people would absolutely love to see that area get re-done...no better way to make it attractive than to change the types of buildings in the area, and put a nice rail line in close proximity. Nice.

Downtown Raleigh is growing, North Raleigh is huge and that Wake Forest area is growing like crazy as well---you WILL get ridership on this line. Great first step for Raleigh.

I'm also thinking that Glenwood Ave would be a great contender for the 1st line. It terminates downtown where the main rail station was supposed to be anyway. Also it would makes sense to extend that line all the way out to Brier Creek. IMO, either Glenwood Ave or Capital Blvd would make good choices because they would service the 2 major malls in Raleigh, Crabtree and TTC.

Good point. Glenwood would be a winner too. I always thought a streetcar could work really well on Glenwood. It will be interesting to see timeframes for these lines to be up and running--Based on population and growth--Wake should get priority (also ensuring that Wake commissioners really champion this project). I think that 15-501 corridor in the west would be a home run with ridership too.

When would this proposed half cent sales tax go to a vote for increased transit?

I agree with both of you. Connecting Brier Creek, Crabtree Valley Mall, North Hills and Triangle Town Center would be nice. And all of them getting a decent connection with downtown, of course :okay:

I agree with what has been said about Capital Blvd here. It's pretty rotten as it stands and I look forward to the day that ITB Capital gets re-done. I wonder how much land the railroad owns there? Are those old warehouses still necessary? It will be interesting to see the city's approach to rail service. I don't know if connnecting the outer retail areas will be a priority and I wonder how easier access to those areas would affect DTR retail development. Are you guys going to any of the Raleigh 2030 planning meetings? http://www.newsobserver.com/news/growth/story/991275.html

I wish I could, but with my second job taking up all my leisure time it is impossible :( Please keep us posted if you attend.

Capital Blvd will become a hot area for redevelopment, if some developers begin to take things seriously. The potential for creating a true urban gateway to the city is phenomenal, but it will take a VERY long time before we see such transition. In my opinion, the latter should begin with the stretch North of downtown and between I-440 and New Hope Rd. Not only it will be easier, but also very important, particularly as there are residential areas;mostly to the West of Capital Blvd. It is necessary to take advantage of the opportunity to create truly mixed-use developments, connected with a light rail line, right now, before more crappy shopping centers appear. I know that many gave Jessie Taliafero a bad reputation as being pro-developer, but I am curious to see if Roger Koopman will actually manage to do something right, by encouraging a more urban form for his district.

A couple of articles on North Hills East and Stanhope Village:

North Hills East beginning to rise (http://www.newsobserver.com/nrn/story/999653.html): Outside a nice little rendering, nothing new. I have been following the progress and it looks like this project will move very fast. I have a feeling we'll see the crane being raised at least once before it reaches the maximum height. It doesn't look like it is there yet, but I may be wrong.
http://media.newsobserver.com/smedia/2008/03/14/02/113-reg-1887977-1215565.embedded.prod_affiliate.3.jpg

Neighbors unite against parking deck (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/999612.html): Won't comment on whether the site plan is reasonable, or not. I know that plans change every now and then, and if the parking deck is not placed properly, then it may be wise for the developers to reconsider things. It doesn't sound like the neighborhood objects the 10-story dormitory, so I won't rush to call them NIMBY's. It is funny to say that the 4-story parking deck will put houses on the shade, but if placed at a correct location it shouldn't be a problem. Glad to know there is a move towards making this project happen.

[QUOTE=Raleigh-NC;19031870]A couple of articles on North Hills East and Stanhope Village:

North Hills East beginning to rise (http://www.newsobserver.com/nrn/story/999653.html): Outside a nice little rendering, nothing new. I have been following the progress and it looks like this project will move very fast. I have a feeling we'll see the crane being raised at least once before it reaches the maximum height. It doesn't look like it is there yet, but I may be wrong.
http://media.newsobserver.com/smedia/2008/03/14/02/113-reg-1887977-1215565.embedded.prod_affiliate.3.jpg


Now that is a nice looking building!! Should look great from the beltline.:okay:

The best part is that they will have about 27,000sf of retail space :okay: This building will function well as a high-rise and contribute at the ground level, as well. Can't wait to see the entire NHE being filled, including a few high-rises :)

^^I hope it gets cancelled. :hug:

Too late for that, g-man, it is already under construction :lol: You know we will hog it all from your city, so don't make this any more painful than it needs to be :bash:

There was an article in today's N&O that echos the concerns that I have been voicing for a while now, regarding the need for more nearby nightlife, dining, and shopping options for out-of-town visitors. All that they seem to be planning for this destination is more office space and residential.

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1009261.html

It's sad to think that a city as progressive and smart as Raleigh, and the local developers, have yet to realize and capitalize on the pre- and post-event dollars that can be generated by RBC Center patrons. I'm certain that this fact has caused us to loose alot of events simply because this place is the "Meadowlands" of the south.

My big fear is that the same thing is going to happen with the convention center. Yes it is beautiful and yes it has great capacity, but if folks staying downtown at the convention hotel don't have sufficient options nearby for dining, shoping, and nightlife, it will eventually cost us in terms of lost events. It won't take long for word to get out that Raleigh is not prepared to host major, big-time events.

To support your convention center Raleigh needs more downtown hotels than it has now.
You need many places to eat and other things for people to do. It would be nice to have a trolley line out to Cameron Village and Crabtree Creek Mall. Raleigh has a lot to offer if you are in a car, but if you are on foot with out a car, how is the public transportation in Raleigh?


Charlotte has 15 uptown hotels and that is not enough some time. Our biggest is 700 rooms (Westin) and with all the events that are happening, we need a bigger hotel.
We are getting 2 new hotels The Aloft and the Ritz-Carlton. We will have 5 hotels on the South Blue line which will guest a means to go to Carolina Mall and South Park with out using a car. They will have to transfer to the mall shuttle bus at no cost.

We are told that we may lose conventions because we do not have enough hotel room near by.

It will be sad to see Raleigh bomb on its new convention center because it does not have the infrastructure to support.

To support your convention center Raleigh needs more downtown hotels than it has now.
You need many places to eat and other things for people to do. It would be nice to have a trolley line out to Cameron Village and Crabtree Creek Mall. Raleigh has a lot to offer if you are in a car, but if you are on foot with out a car, how is the public transportation in Raleigh?


Charlotte has 15 uptown hotels and that is not enough some time. Our biggest is 700 rooms (Westin) and with all the events that are happening, we need a bigger hotel.
We are getting 2 new hotels The Aloft and the Ritz-Carlton. We will have 5 hotels on the South Blue line which will guest a means to go to Carolina Mall and South Park with out using a car. They will have to transfer to the mall shuttle bus at no cost.

We are told that we may lose conventions because we do not have enough hotel room near by.

It will be sad to see Raleigh bomb on its new convention center because it does not have the infrastructure to support.


You are very correct. Raleigh has alot of options for visitors, but they are mostly outside of the CBD. We do have a number of hotels that are planned for the CBD and surrounding areas, but the problem is, they will come online a year or two after the convention center opens.

As you accurately stated, visitors staying at the downtown hotels usually won't have cars and are not going to want to get a cab and go 3+ miles for every little thing. My concern is that Raleigh is not doing enough to prepare for those conventioners that they so desperately are trying to attract.

I would say with confidence that there is no coordination between the local leaders and developers to maximize the benefits from having an arena in West Raleigh... It appears like a random pattern of development, which is definitely the wrong way to approach the golden opportunities that RBC Center offers. Oh well, it will take forever to fix this mess, IMHO, so I won't hold my breath.

Raleigh should have put the arena uptown even if it cost more. Raleigh made the same mistake as we did here in Charlotte. Our arena was in a dead spot as far as things to do in walking distance.

As Raleigh downtown grows and becomes a walking downtown for goods and entertainment, I can see Raleigh doing the same thing and build an arena downtown. It will make some people happy and some will not support it, but it makes the most sense.

Raleigh should have put the arena uptown even if it cost more.
According to the Soleil Group, RBC Arena is actually located Uptown :lol: Just pulling your leg, as I know you are aware that we call our center "downtown" and not "uptown". The idea to put the arena where it is was good, at the time. Located close to a major highway, nestled between downtown, RDU and North Raleigh. They hoped that development would follow, but we all know what happened. The problem is not the location, but the lack of progress for that entire area.

We have the Charlotte Center City Partners that have push the development in the Charlotte center city area. Raleigh needs to get a group like this to push Raleigh in the right direction.
Here is their web site.
http://www.charlottecentercity.org/nav.cfm?cat=21&subcat=114

We already have a group called the Downtown Raleigh Alliance that does the same type of thing. It's run by a bunch of DT Raleigh stakeholders and a small staff. They did just hire a new leader a few months ago who seems to be quite capable. Not sure of the composition of the Charlotte Center City Partners, but if you just compare the websites of the two organizations, CCCP wins hands down.

Here is the link to DRA website: http://www.godowntownraleigh.com

DRA has been actively helping downtown since the early-to-mid 90's. Their work needs to be recognized more.

I always like Raleigh. When I lived in Raleigh, there was no way I would have moved to Charlotte.

My wife I have family in Raleigh and we get over there a few times a year.

^^
I am looking forward to seeing a photo thread with your photos of Raleigh, then ;) The good news is, we already have a Raleigh photos thread, so feel free to post yours there :lol:

^^Where did you come from? :uh:

The Fairview (Five Points)
I nearly missed this one, but as I was re-checking my saved links I finally saw the important part of this article: http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1011029.html The title was very misleading and I didn't expect to see anything of importance, but here is a little update that is worth mentioning.

Plans are shaping up for a mixed-use development in Raleigh's Five Points neighborhood.

Developer Bobby Lewis last week filed preliminary site plans for The Fairview on 1.1 acres next to the post office on Fairview Road.

The four-story, 55,500-square-foot project would take the place of three houses-turned-shops that sit on the property.

The project would belly up to Fairview with parking in the back and would include up to 42 residences over ground-floor shops.
I had posted a rendering in my website - uploaded the new version, for those who are interested, but I need to work on the new projects sections - so here it is, in case you do not remember what the initial idea looks like:

http://www.renderinghouse.com/images/Commerical/C%20PerpWC/FivePoints-lg.jpg
Image is courtesy of Venture Graphics

There is a site plan (http://www.raleighnc.gov/publications/Planning/Plans_in_Review/2008/Plan_Submittal_Maps_by_Type/Master_Plan/MP-002-08.pdf) filed with the city, so I assume this project will be on its way, soon. A very nice redevelopment effort, in my opinion. Currently, there are three houses there, but nothing I find hard to live without. Here is a photo of those 3 houses:

http://www.raleighmsa.com/images/projects/Raleigh/TheFairview/DSCF0483m.jpg

Crabtree Valley Avenue extension
I don't know how you guys feel about this one, but here is a story on the Crabtree Valley Ave extension, in my opinion one of the most important elements for the future growth of Crabtree Valley area: Family seeks to put end to road (http://www.newsobserver.com/nrn/story/1008082.html). I cannot tell people what to do with their property, but I hope a middle ground will be found. According to the article, the extension was first considered back in 1968, so it is time to expire, unless something happens. It would be very wise to extend the road all the way to Glenwood Ave and develop the land across it - in an urban form, I hope.

I never thought that Five Points project would be built. That seems like the mother-of-all-NIMBYs in the most high-falootin' part of town. Let's see if the rich folk squash it.

I think we'll see the NIMBYs fighting this project, unless of course the developer is in good terms with the nearby residents, in a similar fashion with Bloomsbury Estates, which went from 5, to 6, to 7 floors, without complains from the Boylan Heights NIMBYs. I think The Fairview will be a welcome addition if it is upscale and brings more retail to the area.

Not the kind of news that get us excited and enthusiastic, but the implications are significant, particularly as developers are trying to build efficient structures: Building awarded for green initiatives (http://news14.com/content/top_stories/594233/building-awarded-for-green-initiatives/Default.aspx). Let's hope that we'll continue to get news like this in the future. The more efficient the buildings, the more chances we have to see successful projects, especially in the area of high-rise construction.

We have some recognitions to talk about:

Fortune ranks Durham 12th, Raleigh 20th among places to launch business (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/03/24/daily28.html).
100 best places to live and launch (http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fsb/0803/gallery.best_places_to_launch.fsb/index.html); click here (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/bestplaces/2008/top100/index.html) for a full list.
Raleigh: Growin', growin', groan! (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1014662.html).
Dallas-Fort Worth tops population growth (http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/26/real_estate/Metropolitan_Population/index.htm?cnn=yes).

I must congratulate the other cities in our state for making the list: Charlotte (8), Durham (12), Asheville (41), Greensboro (50) and Winston-Salem (56). It certainly says a lot for our state as a whole. On a less upbeat note, it pissed me off that for their Raleigh entry (http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fsb/0803/gallery.best_places_to_launch.fsb/20.html) they used one of my photos (http://www.pbase.com/raleighmsa/image/45171514) and gave credit to Raleigh Chamber of Commerce instead :( I know the latter must have gotten it from DRA, but they should have never claimed it as their own :bash:

Amazing population growth, as the 3rd and 4th links above show. In the N&O article it is stated: "The U.S. Census Bureau says the three-county Raleigh region was America's third fastest-growing metro area from 2006 to 2007 by rate, at 4.7 percent. It was also the 12th fastest growing by number of people: 47,052 -- or almost half a Cary. That's for Wake, Johnston and Franklin counties." Amazing growth, placing us at the top, but only by percentage. Charlotte metro reported a much larger growth, although we are not that far behind, considering that the Triangle was split in two. Not to take away from Charlotte's glory, but it is important to keep in mind what the N&O mentions: "Of course, Charlotte needed six counties in two states to do it." Here is a list of all the major metros of North Carolina, along with their national ranking and growth rates:

Rank City % Total

3 Raleigh 4.7 47,052
7 Charlotte 4.2 66,724
20 Wilmington 3.1 10,336
40 Burlington 2.4 3,395
53 Durham 2.2 10,428
59 Greenville 2.1 3,606
86 Winston-Salem 1.8 8,116
92 Greensboro 1.7 11,740
100 Asheville 1.6 6,519

Courtesy: U.S. Census Bureau

Although unrelated to Raleigh, it also made me happy to see that New Orleans is getting its population back; they reported a 4%/39,885ppl gain!!!

^^Stupid annexation laws. :rant: :bash: Keeps Greenville(city) from ever showing up on population gaines.

Feel free to say that you are from Greenville, NC... They do appear in the list, as you can see :poke:

^^There is no way Greenville is on that list. It must be a trick. Bob Ellis wouldn't allow Greenville to add population. :lol: Doesn't matter which state it's in.

A site plan for a Hyatt hotel near the RBC Center has been submitted to the city for approval.
http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_112506_0_0_18/SP-038-08.pdf
It's not very large and I don't know which Hyatt brand it will be.

We need as much development as we can get around the arena to make this rediculous location more user friendly. I'm sure there are people who would rather have more of an urban feel out there, but unfortunately, existing suburban developments around the arena have eliminated much chance of that happening. That being said, the City should still insist on top notch development planning that ensures that the RBC Center area will become a premier district within the city for entertainment, working and living.

Yet-another suburban garbage coming to West Raleigh. Then we wonder why the RBC Arena doesn't do it for major events. Not to mention that the city continues to allow crap like this coming to our city. Sure, the urban guidelines allow this to happen, but there are ways to work around the obstacles and demand a more urban form. Oh, well :(

I posted a topic on a fellow Raleigh blog and I'd love to bring it to your attention and get feedback. It's about Raleigh's tired little worn out welcome signs. Thanks! http://www.raleighphilosociety.blogspot.com/

Raleigh #1 in the nation for job growth at 3.9 percent according to article/chart: http://screnews.blogspot.com/2008/04/greenville-ranks-high-in-job-growth.html

You guys did pretty good, too :okay: Thanks for the link, it was a nice find!!! Let's hope that Raleigh will continue to offer great opportunities for employment and attract more people.

Good news, although I wished they considered downtown for such a move: Genworth to build Raleigh HQ for 500 employees (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/04/14/story4.html). The important part of the article can be found in the following quote:
Richmond, Va.-based Genworth Financial, which was spun out of giant General Electric in 2004, has signed a letter of intent to move its international division headquarters and U.S. mortgage insurance headquarters two miles north on Six Forks Road to a new, 130,000-square-foot building.
It is good to see some HQ in North Raleigh, but with 500 people this would have been a great addition to downtown. I hope they outgrow the new building and seek more space in the future.

What happened to Raleighing.com?

Nothing too exciting but Raleigh Development Co. submitted plans to build a 55,000 sq. ft. "mixed use" development on 1.1 acres at Glenwood & Oberlin. No info on their website. I guess this will go across the street from the Harris Teeter shopping center. Judging from their realized other projects, I'm not expecting too much but hey, I guess you never know.

Hopefully, they will surprise us with something nicer than the ordinary :)

Hey, I don't know what happened to my previous post, but I had replied to willrusso's question and now I cannot see that post :( Anyway, I mentioned about Dana creating a new blog, called www.gogoraleigh.com, which is a wonderful website, IMHO. Something didn't work out between Dana and the other person responsible for Raleighing.com, and they took separate paths.

Another article on the Crabtree Valley area: Crabtree-area building going eco-friendly (http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1055112.html).

I don't have any pictures but today I saw that the walls are going up on the new NC Museum of Art. Can't wait!

http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0209_01x.jpg

The roof looks really cool here. It's too bad you'll never be able to see it from any current vantage point.

I agree, too bad this project - not just the roof - won't have as much visibility. This museum could have provided a great opportunity for something more inviting and urban/semi-urban on Blue Ridge Rd, but now we are stuck with a nice building that will have very little visibility, if any. I will drive by and check it out.

Did anyone check out the following report (courtesy of WRAL): City leaders ponder more Hillsborough Street improvements (http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/2835574/)? Let's see what will happen with this area? Many great opportunities for urbanity, in a stretch that has some urban feel to it. Naturally, people are not as optimistic about the revitalization of Hillsborough Street, but quite frankly I am confident that this time around good things will happen. In my opinion, Hillsborough Street needs a few decent residential mid-rises to replace some eyesores and underutilized parcels, in order to bring more population and add retail/entertainment destinations.

:hug: Just for Raleigh-NC: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/BUSINESS/80506023&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

:hug: Just for Raleigh-NC: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/BUSINESS/80506023&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
Is that supposed to make me happy? Sad to say, but you and Bob Ellis are at it, again. Why don't you move to Dubai, a city that is truly hogging it all and can afford to have a few thousands of projects stall? :lol:

Is that supposed to make me happy? Sad to say, but you and Bob Ellis are at it, again. Why don't you move to Dubai, a city that is truly hogging it all and can afford to have a few thousands of projects stall? :lol:

Yes. Are you happy now? :D :uh: Every project in Dubai stalling? Don't give me any ideas. :lol:

I agree about the museum on Blue Ridge. I hope the state can buy the property to the left of the museum if only to finish the block and remove the dog pen and old jalopies.

As for Hillsborough St., there is tons of potential here. I'm all for roundabouts and new development but I will say that I think I am starting to see the results of increased downtown residential development. The intersections at Five Points and Glenwood @ Peace have been extra clogged over the past few months around 5:30. Not that it was ever good but it's starting to back up for blocks. The few times I've been on H'borough around 5-5:30 it has been similar. It will be interesting to see how the city handles the congestion.

Some information that I found on the contractor's website for the Soleil Center:
http://www.hunterrobertscg.com/projects.php?segment_id=10&id=88
They say the Westin will open in December of 2009 with the building completed in 2010.

I am really anxious to see this tower going up... I know there are a lot of skeptics out there, but I am sure that all the doubts will disappear once the crane makes its appearance ;) Thanks for the link, CHGuy.

Check this out (http://www.gurlitzarchitects.com/projects/creedmoor.htm)looks cool :)

Check this out (http://www.gurlitzarchitects.com/projects/creedmoor.htm)looks cool :)

Very interesting. I'd be happy to see it materialize.

I rode by the soleil site and was excited to see concrete footers showing out of the ground and rebar all over the place. Finally they can bring on the steel.

I rode by the soleil site and was excited to see concrete footers showing out of the ground and rebar all over the place. Finally they can bring on the steel.


Where are the pictures? You know they can't build without pictures.:banana:

Gorgeous project!!! This is the out-of-the box designs we need in Raleigh.

http://www.gurlitzarchitects.com/images/newprojectimages/creedmoor/icon.jpg

Can't wait to see the cranes at the Soleil Center site ;)

Gorgeous project!!! This is the out-of-the box designs we need in Raleigh.

http://www.gurlitzarchitects.com/images/newprojectimages/creedmoor/icon.jpg

Can't wait to see the cranes at the Soleil Center site ;)

Now that is sharp.

:master: TACO BELL :master:

i need two supreme tacos and hold the sour cream
it makes me vomit and it's an ugly scene
a chicken quesadilla and taco salad, too
this is how we do up in the drive thru
i need a spicy chicken double decker chilli cheese wrap
large coke, bottle of water, don't forget the cap
i need two soft tacos and an enchurrito
don't be thinking that its all for me though
"yo queiro taco bell" my boy said to me
so i'll get him a chalupa and one for free
i hope you're getting all this down, you're sitting there without a sound
hot sauce, i need that too, make it three, no make it two
large coke, i need that too,
one for me and for you
just kidding, being nice
(AND DON'T FORGET THE YELLOW RICE!)
yellow rice, he wants that too, is that something you guys do?
if not nachos please, hold the lettuce, add the cheese
one more holla for a dollar
this my crew in this drive thru
one more thing, give it to me cause baby
WE HUNGRY

anyone have any news about the tram project on Capital and Glennwood? I remember hearing the light rail project was "postponed" due to lack of funding; however I haven't heard anything about the tram project.

There is no tram/light-rail project that was postponed/stalled. That was the regional rail that TTA (proposed). A very different "beast", that was more ill-conceived and without real support by local municipalities. It covered areas with little, or no density, and while it had received support by the state senators and the Feds, the numbers didn't add up. Not to mention TTA was asking 61% of the funding :bash: Anyway, even though the regional rail project is back on the drawing board - a much better effort this time - there are some decent visions by the City of Raleigh for regional rail, but everything is still in the infancy. It will be another 10-15 years, at least, before we see anything substantial on this vision.

g-man, we continue to hog it all ;)

:cry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWTYyx6PLZY&feature=related

If the Creedmoor Tower gets built as designed, I may mess my britches.

g-man, get used to it: Raleigh will continue to hog it all :lol: The following is a perfect example of what I am talking about: Cameron Village could soon expand (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6171008). I like this proposal and I hope that the usual NIMBY suspects won't kill it. For those too lazy to check out the article and the video, they are proposing an 8-story condo mid-rise with 200-300 units and 20,000sf of retail, for the NE corner of Clark and Oberlin roads.

A butterfly fluttered its wings in central Argentina blowing pollen into the face of an allergic monkey that sneezed which starteled a herd of deer which ran across a river disrupting a school of fish which swim unexpectedly downstream causing a huge current that swamped several boats stranding a vacationing group of oil tanker captains that normally would have been available to steer the group of tankers delayed by fog. That is why you are paying $4.00 per gallon for gas. :D

^^
g-man, did you know that Argentina is about to get its first Starbucks (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/05/26/daily22.html)? Well, you'd better believe it. The way you drink RedBull, you will probably be paying more for it than gasoline, so stop complaining about prices.

Oh, I forgot... Here is another useless recognition, for those who live for reading lists: Raleigh is 2nd best place to live, Kiplinger's says (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/05/26/daily17.html). For the record, Houston was selected as No 1 place.

^^
g-man, did you know that Argentina is about to get its first Starbucks (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/05/26/daily22.html)? Well, you'd better believe it. The way you drink RedBull, you will probably be paying more for it than gasoline, so stop complaining about prices.

Oh, I forgot... Here is another useless recognition, for those who live for reading lists: Raleigh is 2nd best place to live, Kiplinger's says (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/05/26/daily17.html). For the record, Houston was selected as No 1 place.

Lions and tigers and bears oh my. :uh: Penguins are the scariest though. :eek: :D They look nice on the outside, but that is just to trick you.

So is RBC Plaza... The scariest of all and it's there to trick you...

I like this proposal (Cameron Village) and I hope that the usual NIMBY suspects won't kill it. For those too lazy to check out the article and the video, they are proposing an 8-story condo mid-rise with 200-300 units and 20,000sf of retail, for the NE corner of Clark and Oberlin roads.

I've been wondering about what was going to happen because there have been at least 2-3 ideas floated around about how to add residential in-fill development in the area. Ever since the old Balentine's Cafeteria closed, that corner has really stagnated. I imagine it could be a win-win only because there wouldn't be the increase in car traffic for those residents going to Harris-Teeter, the library or out to eat. If this goes through, I'm wondering when the old Colonial/Kerr/Eckerd/Rite-Aid building will get knocked down and get the same treatment. The cool idea for that block is that the pharmacy could be the ground floor tenant with mid-rise development right above it and a parking deck on the back.

Peace :2cents:

g-man, get used to it: Raleigh will continue to hog it all :lol: The following is a perfect example of what I am talking about: Cameron Village could soon expand (http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6171008). I like this proposal and I hope that the usual NIMBY suspects won't kill it. For those too lazy to check out the article and the video, they are proposing an 8-story condo mid-rise with 200-300 units and 20,000sf of retail, for the NE corner of Clark and Oberlin roads.

This is EXACTLY what we need! good infill in an area that could use it. Funny that people are 'worried' this will occur more. We DO need more of this. After all, density promotes fewer miles driven per person, leads to better public transit, better air quality, etc.

I hope that Cameron Village itself sees this type of development.

Whatever happened to the plan to move the HT back to it's old spot where the drug store is now?

more news with our two self-proclaimed midtown areas.

BB&T is considering building a tower at North Hills.

http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/06/02/story2.html?b=1212379200%5E1642504

According to UP Soleil is done with its deep foundation work.

http://ulanguzi.bm23.com/public/?q=preview_message&fn=Link&t=1&ssid=190&id=5xl61z3hsda295so2qkqsmz2ndw9t&id2=1fq9rbr5twrq2ni8vikl7qqbvxaz4

I am truly excited about redeveloping Cameron Village. There was a plan to move HT to the Rite Aid location, but I haven't heard anything new since they announced that vision. I think there are plans to slowly redevelop the entire shopping center into something more urban, but it will take MANY years.

Thanks for the link, duraleigh... It is about time we get more updates on Soleil Center. I heard something of personal nature concerning one of the developers, which should not be discussed here, but I can see why delays have happened. It should affect the project, but it could possibly explain why things didn't move as fast as we hoped.

As for the BB&T tower - although we don't know how tall it will be - I am as excited as I am puzzled. Even though the article didn't indicate any move of the downtown operations to North Hills, I will be extremely upset with BB&T if they leave downtown. What is happening with all of our leaders? Don't they make an effort to bring BB&T downtown? How the Hell can we see North Hills attracting headquarters (in this case First Citizens Bank and BB&T) and not jump into this great opportunity to increase their downtown presence instead? As for BB&T, what are they smoking? What about downtown developers? Don't they have a way to make their downtown visions attractive to BB&T? If this tower is built, I will be happy about it, assuming the tower will have some urban form, but I will be unhappy if they move from downtown.

more news with our two self-proclaimed midtown areas.


I've increasingly been hearing the Crabtree area referred to as Uptown. Sounds like a compromise has been reached?

BB&T is considering building a tower at North Hills.

http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/06/02/story2.html?b=1212379200%5E1642504



I'm wondering when the Exxon at North Hills will bite the dust and gets torn down in favor of a mid-rise detailed in Kane's original vision.

Peace :2cents:

Talking about tenants at North Hills vs. downtown. I just don't get First Citizens Bank. I don't know the history of the discussions between them and the city (if there were any) regarding any move downtown and I have seen renderings of an unrealized (thank God!) monolithic First Citizens tower but I think they are doing themselves a great disservice. I see Wachovia, BB&T, BoA, and now RBC as major banks here in NC in no small part due to their office towers. It's the prestige factor and I think it has a positive impact on there business as well. And then there is First Citizens with their glass lowrise on Hammond in Garner and that wretched toadstool of a building at North Hills. 2nd fiddle anyone?

I am truly excited about redeveloping Cameron Village. There was a plan to move HT to the Rite Aid location, but I haven't heard anything new since they announced that vision. I think there are plans to slowly redevelop the entire shopping center into something more urban, but it will take MANY years.

Thanks for the link, duraleigh... It is about time we get more updates on Soleil Center. I heard something of personal nature concerning one of the developers, which should not be discussed here, but I can see why delays have happened. It should affect the project, but it could possibly explain why things didn't move as fast as we hoped.

As for the BB&T tower - although we don't know how tall it will be - I am as excited as I am puzzled. Even though the article didn't indicate any move of the downtown operations to North Hills, I will be extremely upset with BB&T if they leave downtown. What is happening with all of our leaders? Don't they make an effort to bring BB&T downtown? How the Hell can we see North Hills attracting headquarters (in this case First Citizens Bank and BB&T) and not jump into this great opportunity to increase their downtown presence instead? As for BB&T, what are they smoking? What about downtown developers? Don't they have a way to make their downtown visions attractive to BB&T? If this tower is built, I will be happy about it, assuming the tower will have some urban form, but I will be unhappy if they move from downtown.

I think that Cameron Village will become the next North Hills still redevelopment. Who knows it could be John Kane himself. If I am thinking correctly it want take that long to transform the area into a highrise destination. The infill will start happening more and more now. I think the Triangle has hit a tipping point with outward growth. Undeveloped land is just too expensive and location closer to destination points are likely to be redeveloped at a quicker pace. Upward growth will happen just as much as outward growth.

I thought someone was going to post this, but since nobody did, let me share this article with you: BB&T has plans on Six Forks (http://www.newsobserver.com/print/saturday/business/story/1091179.html). The important thing to know is in the following excerpt:
To the east, Kane has assembled 50 acres, where the company and its partners plan to build an office tower, grocery store topped by apartments and a retirement community. Other projects are coming.

It's unlikely anything that dramatic would be built on the BB&T lot once Bank of America leaves, said David Weaver, regional president of BB&T, which is based in Winston-Salem. "I assure you, it will not be a tower," he said.
In other words, false alarm :( I had a feeling TBJ would fall into the trap of calling something around 5-6 floors a tower - not that I know the actual height, but I would guess 5-6 floors will be easy for BB&T to deliver. Of course, BB&T may build a taller mid-rise (10-12 stories), in which case it may be called "tower" by some publications. Not in my book, but that would be my opinion, only. In a way, I am fine with a 5-6 story building, if it has an urban form. Hopefully, by the time BB&T is ready to deliver their vision, the city will have stronger urban guidelines in place.

See what happens when people think I moved to Raleigh. Highrises get downsized to 5-6 stories there. :D

You probably considered moving here... That was more than enough. The good new is, they probably never considered a highrise, to begin with... Bad reporting on TBJ's part :bash:

Will the proposed incentives work to Raleigh's advantage? According to the N&O (City wants to offer building incentives (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1095580.html)), the city officials want to offer incentives to developers in order for the latter to build energy-efficient buildings!!! How about energy-efficient buildings built in an urban manner? Can't they offer some incentives in that area, too? It will be great if we combine the two ;)

I don't think the incentives are necessary. Isn't an efficient building enough of an incentive? yes i think so.

Amen to that!!!

SO HAS THE SOIEL CENTER STARTED CONSTURCTION YET. IM TO LAZY (AT THIS TIME) TO LOOK AT THE OTHER POST:lol: :nuts:

I live in the North Person Street (Krispy Kreme) area and yesterday the city held a session for interested parties asking for feedback regarding our neighborhood in relation to future planning. It was interesting to see the process and limitations the city has. One of my main concerns is the empty, dilapidated Person Street Plaza which is now owned by Hobby Properties. I don't think I'm giving away secrets when I say: the city approved "95%" of the plan and I think the holdup was the flow into and out of the parking areas (might be wrong on that one) and then the market was perceived to go soft and the owners' desire to move ahead has cooled. And it was stated by people claiming to know that Hobby Prop.will not sell it possibly just to be hard-headed. Also, some wanted to demolish the existing structures and leave it as a field until building starts but Hobby Prop. has concerns that if they do that, the land may be lawfully seen as undeveloped in which case they will have to do many thousands of dollars of drainage/ground water work when they finally start. The city has given them a grace period of 1 year from demolition to building commencement without having to do these upgrades but it is still a point of contention. Even worse, there are rumors that Hobby is now looking to simply renovate the existing structures!? This was the worst news of the day for me and if true, it is COMPLETELY short sighted. Yet another rumor is that while initially looking at renovating, they discovered all of the copper has been looted from the buildings. There was however news that the state is in the process of passing a law that will allow local governments to condemn commercial buildings. This is something they currently cannot do. It sounds like it will take a while (years?) to get it finalized and in place at the city level. For us this discussion centered around Person St. Plaza and the old, burned out barber shop beside Conti's Italian Market but could be helpful all over town if available to the city. As far as things that can be done, it sounds to me that there is a very good chance that Person and Blount will remain one-way streets but it's possible that in my area it could be reduced to 2 lanes with parallel parking on both sides. In most cases it will take the land owners (some of which do not live in Raleigh, have owned the property for many years, and are pretty ambivalent about change) partnering with the city to realize any grand changes. Much of the talk was about available parking and businesses that meet the need of the neighborhood. Preliminary, non-official parking ideas from the city planning dept included adding a lot behind the brick retail buildings on the west side of Person as well as studying the feasibility of turning the Peace College owned empty lot on Blount (across from their campus between the houses) into a tree-lined parking lot as well. These would add over 120 additional spaces. Finally, redeveloping at least part of the huge dollar store parking lot (the owners are in Charlotte and don't seemed interested in doing much of anything) and possibly adding a streetside structure in front of the Krispy Kreme truck parking lot were discussed. Of course most of this would depend on the private property owners. I found myself wishing for an "enlightened despot" form of government who could heavy-handedly bring about these changes because like Tom Petty said, "The waiting is the hardest part."

^^

And, there you are sitting on your hands wanting to scream out something along the lines of, 'You've got something on the verge of greatness going on here. Don't screw it up by being short-sighted!!!' :ohno:

Peace :2cents:

TSnow27604, I think your last post belongs to the DT Raleigh thread, if you don't mind me saying that. Just for the record, I agree with what you said.

Yeah, I didn't know what to do but my area isn't officially DTR which ends at Peace St. so I put it here. Should I move it? No worries either way just let me know.

Well, it is funny when downtown overlay is discussed, but Mordecai is a downtown neighborhood :) Very confusing, I know...

Is the tower at North Hills Mall, finished yet or even topped off yet

Is the tower at North Hills Mall, finished yet or even topped off yet

Are you talking about North Hills east? Everything is under construction right now. I will be going by there later this week and will snap a photo or two....if I can find a place to do it at....traffic over there is a nightmare! The other side has been finished for a long long time. There could be some construction over there though. I will check more closely.

I don't think soiel center will ever get built...thats my opinion. We will see....

People claim it is under construction because there is some dirt being moved :lol:

Soleil Center's foundation was recently finished - no need for dirt to be moved :lol: I believe there are two different contractors involved, one for the foundation and the other for the actual tower. Also, if you look at the Condo.com website, you will see that not too many units are left. I believe they have sold above 50%, which was their goal before breaking ground. I can see why people are skeptic, and believe me, I am as frustrated as anyone, but I remain optimistic, given that these projects are surrounded by a lot of "secrecy". It is a very complicated project, anyway and there may be things we don't know about. Hopefully, financing is not the issue here. Note: they are aggressively trying to sell out their Skysail condominiums, in New Bern, currently reported to have sold 80% of them. I here their adds all the time. Once these condos sell out, it will be easier for Soleil Group to secure better financing terms.

As for the Captrust Tower, at NHE, it is under construction, but work is currently being done in the foundation, although you can see a part of the building rising above the street-level. The Renaissance Hotel, at the NH location has topped out and the crane was removed a while ago. The hotel certainly looks good, and not underwhelming, or overwhelming.

You expect me to read all of that? :uh: :rant: Here is a present for you in return: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUMwu_gXK7Q&NR=1

"Also, if you look at the Condo.com website, you will see that not too many units are left. I believe they have sold above 50%, which was their goal before breaking ground."

If condo.com is correct in that they only have 12 available units, they have sold 42 of the 54 units. That's 78 percent. Assuming that all of the units have been released for sale and are not being released in phases. A big assumption. Considering that they have spent a fortune on foundation work, I would assume that this project is definitely a go.

Wow, I thought they had another 20-25 units left, unless they sold them since my last visit. I noticed a lot of high-end units, which makes me believe that they may end up reworking the floor plans to bring more cheaper units. However, the question you asked is very interesting... I do not know how often developers pre-sell in phases. I would think they want to keep some units, in case they have to alter the plans, but my guess is they want to get this baby off the ground ASAP. Naturally, "guess" is the key word here :)

Im just bringing this thread back to the top agian.

I will take a few shots of North hills east tommorow when I go by there. Again, if I can find a place to do it at! :cheers:

edit...or shall I say today??? lol

^^
Just don't bring g-man, or Bob Ellis, with you :rofl:

:cry: He's being mean to me.

Hey! I snapped a couple photos. My camera is half shot though. Back when I went to the Fay st opening a couple years ago some idiot spilled beer all over it. So believe me...getting these pictures today was not easy. I had to beat the camera to death.

Also, I hate taking pictures...so I did not get out of the car. My wind shield was also dirty from all that smoke yesterday around the area. But to give you an idea of what the progress is at North Hills east and the tower across from North Hill east:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130006.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130005.jpg

Back side of same building...yuck

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130007.jpg

North Hills east progress:

From across the street view

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130009.jpg

Side view:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130004.jpg

This is a different building at North Hills east. As you can see it is not as far along as the one just above it

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130003.jpg

One more from North hills looking towards six forks...me was in a hurry to get out!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130008.jpg

:cheers:

Thanks for the pics! I miss living right down the street from there, unfortunately this development is raising apartment rental prices in the immediate vicinity so I had to relocate to another part of town. Hard to imagine just a few years ago a half vacant two story mall was in it's place...

Tarheel youre jealous of Raleigh because they are getting buildings taller than 6 levels lol

Good job, TarheelsCubs!!! Thanks for the pics :)

Tarheel youre jealous of Raleigh because they are getting buildings taller than 6 levels lol

Nah, why would I be jealous of Raleigh....I pretty much live in Raleigh (for the past 8 years)! :lol: I am a southern Wake Co. boy though! :lol: The big F-V

I am just in Greenville to go to school.\

And thanks to everyone else for the kind responses...taking pictures is no fun to me for some reason!

g-man, we are not afraid to hog it all, as you can see: Top 10 best places to live in the U.S. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25064613/?pg=11#BESTUScities_science). If you are too lazy to click on the link and see that outdated skyline photo, here is the important thing to read:
No. 1: Raleigh, N.C.


Raleigh, N.C., it seems, is the best place to be in the U.S. right now.
It ranks No. 1 in Forbes’ 2008 list and was also top in 2007 -- consistent placement among these lists is truly rare. It ranks No. 2 in Kiplinger’s list this year (“Raleigh is a work in progress, but 2008 should be the turning point,” Kiplinger notes).


The city is also Fortune Small Business magazine’s current No. 20 place to “live and launch.”

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TarheelsCubs/06130003.jpg



I get very excited about New construction and Towers.....By looking at your windshield you get much more excited about them than I. do:lol::lol:

I get very excited about New construction and Towers.....By looking at your windshield you get much more excited about them than I. do:lol::lol:


:lol: :rofl:

Yes, that was really funny, eastwestrob :lol:

A couple of news, from the Triangle Business Journal: Crescent Resources wants high-rise with retail and condos at Cameron Village (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/06/23/story2.html). The best part is the rendering, of course :) This looks pretty nice for an early rendering. At 120ft, this is far from being overwhelming, although I can hear the NIMBYs talking about the size/height of the building. Just for the record, there is not a single house being overwhelmed by this building... It is all commercial buildings across from there. The [positive] impact of this project cannot be denied. Hopefully, we won't end up with a project of mediocre size and quality. Judging from the rendering, this will be a truly urban project, in an area outside downtown.

http://cll.bizjournals.com/story_image/121660-400-0.jpg?rev=2

Another update on the proposed Fairview project: Raleigh Development Co. back to square 1 on Five Points site (http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/06/23/tidbits1.html#1). This proposal has been in the works for quite some time... I don't doubt it will happen, but it will be harder now, unless the lenders come back to their senses and stop feeding the whole crisis.

g-man, here is some good news for you and Infoman: Pullen Park train to get track repairs (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1114412.html). Next time you are in Raleigh, you guys can take the train and pretend it is light-rail... Who says there is nothing in DT Raleigh for the younger, non-drinking-age crowds? :rofl:

^^ I'm excited to hear that Cameron Village will start going vertical. I have to say that the rendering looks like something regurgitated from other raleigh projects. Yawn.

^^ I'm excited to hear that Cameron Village will start going vertical. I have to say that the rendering looks like something regurgitated from other raleigh projects. Yawn.

Totally! Eventhough it is not a 30 story tower, these bldgs could still use a little creativity. There is too much cookie cutter architechture in this city, where everything looks like everything else.

Amen. It's just like the Paramount, Dawson, West @ North, etc. And not far from North Raleigh office designs. Is this another J Davis or Cline Design offering? I can't dog the architects too much though as the client has the say. Maybe it's just that the rich and powerful are also the less-than-creative.

I think it is easy to see that this is more of a massing rendering and less of a detailed design. My guess is that the new building will be shaped after several meetings with the neighbors take place, and a thorough research about the market conditions is done. Once the final size is determined, the design will be finalized. On the other hand, it is a better looking building than the existing, IMHO. I will echo what ncnative said: We can use some creativity here. This is a great opportunity for something more iconic, outside the cookie-cutter mentality. Also, since the existing fabric is nothing to speak of, the developer can opt for something more innovative and more modern. If this area had more historic homes, I would have encouraged a different approach, but given what's there, we need some innovative, fresh designs to make Cameron Village look better.

OK, I'm going to write this and I hope someone can prove me wrong as none of it is official. Today I heard that the Soleil Center is on indefinite hold due to financing and that many of the pre-sales have since backed out. I also heard that no work has been done in the past 2 weeks. We all know about the Lafayette and the Reynolds Tower and now this (if true.) Further, I even heard that the people who wanted to open a Chic-Fil-A at Cameron Village couldn't get the money and now that's not happening. I would like to think that we are now in the "clean-up" phase of the credit crisis but as much as I want to see these and other projects move forward, I am not feeling good about our economy either. The stock market has entered bear territory and we have yet to see a massive, purging sell-off. Interest rates need to drop to spur investment but every time they do the dollar falls further causing inflation worries coupled with rising commodity prices. On this 4th of July weekend, I wonder if America's decades long consumption binge has finally caught up with us? Are banks afraid to lend because of their past mistakes or are they afraid to lend because of potentially awful economic times to come? I think we are going to see a lot more pauses in construction with the exception maybe of the gov't backed projects.

I am not as pessimistic. Regarding Soleil Center, I have not heard anything to confirm, or deny, any rumors. However, I do need to say that Soleil Group has a lot of assets, as well as cash, so I find it hard to believe they would fail to build this project. Even if half the units have been pre-sold, it should be sufficient to break ground - unless Westin Hotels backed out of the deal.

As for the state of our economy, it is neither rosy, nor gloomy. There are both sides of the same coin, ALWAYS. Lenders have created a crisis that they will eventually need to fix... They will end up giving loans left and right - provided the borrowers qualify - for better terms than they did before. If they do not lend money, they will risk going down. Or worse, some foreign banks will end up financing these projects, for good terms. Mark my words, in a few months things will naturally go back to normal and a lot of projects will break ground. I don't want to put all the blame on the banks, but during these times they are very responsible for the mess.

Stupid banks. They ruin everything. :rant: :cry: This is all Bob Ellis' fault. I want update pics and I want them now. I'm in charge. You will do as I say or i'll bring out the :guns1:

Stupid banks. They ruin everything. :rant: :cry: This is all Bob Ellis' fault. I want update pics and I want them now. I'm in charge. You will do as I say or i'll bring out the :guns1:

^^ Here's your update...



http://www.geocities.com/foyedw/GasPrices.jpg

Mommy... :uh: :runaway:

Not much of an update, but here it is, anyway: Plans for Stanhope Center nearly finished (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1134607.html). I wish the developers had released more than site plans... I am more anxious to see what they have in mind in terms of architecture. Whenever I read/hear about U-shaped buildings I get scared, though. Does that mean it will wrap around the three sides of the parking deck, or it will be a separate structure with a big yard in the center, with the parking deck built separately? As for the "historic" nature of the neighborhood, let me laugh... Yeah, VERY historic. Maybe they ought to take a walk, or drive around there, so they can admire the "historic" architecture and monuments of the yester years. Maybe that power station nearby is not a big eyesore and the current residents need to address the 100-foot buildings... Not to mention the traffic... Maybe it is better to leave things the way they are. Give me a f*cking break :bash:

I'm trying to give you a break of that kit-kat bar. :cry:

Thanks, g-man... Now, if you can settle on one avatar it will be much easier for us to recognize your posts :lol:

Thanks, g-man... Now, if you can settle on one avatar it will be much easier for us to recognize your posts :lol:

I can't just settle on one. :cry: It has to be perfect. :) And why am I up at 6:15am? :rant: :dunno:

^^
If you want perfection, you have to go with the penguin :lol:

I wish they had already selected a better name to refer to this project, but for now it is called "Cameron Village". Anyway, this proposal (http://www.raleighnc.gov/publications/Planning/Rezoning_Cases/2008/Z-040-08/Z-40-08_Cameron_Village_Streetscape_and_Parking_Amendment.pdf) is going for public hearing (http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1141769.html) today and I hope it will get the approval it needs. Just for the record, the elevation shown in the image I posted back on June 20th is the Oberlin Rd elevation. To the left of that rendering is the Cameron Village McDonald's. I say this in case some of you were deceived - like I was - and thought it was the NE corner of Oberlin and Clark streets shown.

One thing I find very interesting is that Crescent Resources is a partnership between Duke Energy and Morgan Stanley Real Estate... Well, the latter is the important partner, in my opinion. Remember that Morgan Stanley is rumored to be interested in establishing an operation in our area - contrary to what some may say about this not being true. If Morgan Stanley begins to make some investments in Raleigh, we may see them taking their interest a little further... Wishful thinking, but nevertheless a possibility we cannot ignore.

The Triangle Insider is reporting that Raleigh Development Company is planning to build an office building on a 1.1 acre site on Glenwood at Fairview (Five Points.) I'm guessing this is either the gas station or the First Citizens. Don't know how tall though.

Isn't it the 3 lots next to the post office? This project is known as The Fairview, and was recently altered - still in the early stages - to exclude the condos and replace them with office space. It would be 3-4 stories tall/short, which I think is fine for that location. Now, keep in mind that these are the same people - correct me if I am wrong - who proposed the ill-fated Metropolitan and the 414 Fayetteville/Sheraton Atrium project (25-30 stories). They are serious people, but I have yet to see something major from them. They do own the Capital Bank Plaza (a.k.a. 333 Corporate Plaza), but they didn't develop it originally.

I am sure most of you have already saw this in the N&O: Lending pullback stalls Soleil tower (http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1144214.html) :( According to the developers, who risk to lose credibility even among supporters of Soleil Center. We all anticipated bumps, due to the lenders' unwillingness to finance anything that includes condos, but I wasn't expecting this one. Hopefully, the developers will not need more than 3 months, as the article mentions:
Mundra and Walia expect it will take at least three months to close on new financing for the tower, which is to include about 54 sky-high luxury condominiums atop a 290-room Westin Hotel at U.S. 70 and Creedmoor Road.
Let's hope the new financing deal will proceed without any further issues. Soleil Group seems to have a lot of money in their war chest - both in cash and assets - and I am confident they won't delay more than necessary.

As for the 5 Points project, they are the same people and you're right, they seem to propose quite a few projects that don't come to fruition. I guess the address given as Glenwood and Fairview threw me as to the exact location and on the one hand it makes sense that the lots beside the post office are the ones in question. But on the other hand: really? An office building there? Little one story antique stores, little old post office, cool restaurants, expensive houses, and... an office building. Hmm.

YES, YES, YES. :banana: A highrise stalled. :hug: Oh boy Oh boy. This is soo exciting. :D

g-man, we did this just to make you happy :lol: Soleil Group agreed to stall this project so you can feel better and possibly boost your confidence a little. With Bob Ellis dominating your life, we figured it might help if we delayed Soleil Center a little. They will be back, though, so try to convince Bob Ellis to get his act together... soon.

I have a feeling we'll hear of another project in Cameron Village ;) Don't know how soon, but it's coming...

I have a feeling we'll hear of another project in Cameron Village ;) Don't know how soon, but it's coming...

What the hell? Now you're just teasing.

I have a feeling we'll hear of another project in Cameron Village ;) Don't know how soon, but it's coming...

It may very well be the project that was spoken of 3-4 years ago before Branch Properties sold it to Regency Centers (http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2004/07/19/story1.html). It would have taken out the Rite-Aid/Eckerd/Kerr/Colonial/Big Star building and redevelop that block into a higher-density mid-rise with residential component. Granted the lending market is different now, but it seemed like a done deal at the time.

The other plan floated was to close Cameron Street between the Cameron North and Cameron South blocks (http://www.shopsofcameronvillage.com/mappop-up.cfm). The space would then be pedestrianized and populated with two upscale restaurants. This never came to be, but the exterior renovations did occur. So, this is a thought.

The other is to envision the re-opening of the Village Underground/Subway clubs under the library and bring back the 1980's which was featured so well on Goodnight Raleigh (http://goodnightraleigh.com/2008/07/the-raleigh-underground-a-lost-phenomenon/). Time will tell...

Peace :2cents:

What the hell? Now you're just teasing.
No, I am not... The source is reliable, but the information is vague. He told me about the 9-story residential building in Cameron Village just a week before it was proposed, and this time he did the same for another project in the same area. Problem is, I don't know much about it, so I will keep my mouth shut until we hear more :)

I love cameron village. It has the potential to be even better though. This is the perfect area for several mid rises. It is also exactly what the area needs to get it going again. I am all for it....unlike some of these other people.....and ya'll know what I mean....:lol: :cheers:

^^
I think I do know what you mean :lol:

Well, here is yet-another article on Raleigh's growing list of awards: Raleigh ranks high on 'Best Of' lists (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/wake/raleigh/story/1156398.html). It intrigues me to read the following excerpt, but I dedicate it to those who think that Raleigh "oppresses" Durham and tries to be superior. The last sentence in the quote says it all, though. I already have stated my opinions on Durham, so please don't bother doubting my sympathy for the Bull City... It gets my support and love, and I like the direction Durham has taken, but there are people who still downplay the crime situation when it comes to getting national recognition. They are the ones who give outsiders the wrong impression about the level of cooperation and the harmonic co-existence between Raleigh and Durham.
"Feeling superior is usually the first step to complacency," said Reyn Bowman, president and CEO of the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau. "That's the danger of believing in all of your 'clippings.' "

If Bowman sounds bitter, it's because he thinks Durham's many accolades -- including those it shares with Raleigh -- too often get overshadowed by the media's focus on the Bull City's homicide and poverty rates.

I also find disappointing that there are people in Raleigh who feel this way:
One member of Raleigh's creative class, art dealer Lee Hansley, said that the city's days as a ranking juggernaut may be numbered.

"I have just come to the conclusion that Raleigh has peaked in terms of these lists," he said, noting that every good run must come to an end.
Of course, this guy is entitled to his own opinion, and he may be proven right, but it will be years before this happens... in my opinion. The reason is simple: Raleigh is a city filled with transplants, who haven't developed pride about their new home, yet. There is some sense of pride, without a doubt, but in my 16.5 years in Raleigh I have yet to meet people who take those rankings so seriously that they rest on their laurels. We read about these rankings, we feel happy, and then we go back to our regular lives. Unless one doesn't believe in, or doesn't want the growth to continue, we should maintain a positive attitude towards remaining among the favorites, in any good list.

A comprehensive train system......or let me rephrase..........A LACK of a comprehensive train system, combined with bus and bike access, and the well produced TODs with an increasing metro and city population nowadays and probably for awhile is one of many ways Raleigh could sink towards #7 or #25 on these national lists

I don't think that the public transportation system has much to do with these lists. However, if your survey is contacted in a way that involves the residents, and topics like transportation are brought up, I am sure Raleigh won't do well. Still, this is not something that could cause Raleigh to sink in the vast majority of "best of" lists. The quality of life and the economic prosperity of this area are not linked to public transit, or the urban planning; we can still get from point A to point B in less than 30 minutes. Just because we, urban living advocates, are interested in certain amenities, doesn't mean they are the primary indicators of a place's economic growth and overall quality of life. Having moved from a city with an excellent public transportation system in place (NYC), I would not put Raleigh below its current ratings strictly based on public transit.

On the other hand, Raleigh's position in all those lists may become less prominent when it grows larger and a good public transportation is not in place, which may sound identical to what you say. My difference is that Raleigh's current status will not be lowered due to lack of good public transit because traffic is still manageable and will be for many years to come. I think that we are taking steps to improve the situation and by the time Raleigh reaches 500,000 people we should be well ahead in terms of public transit and other amenities.

I don't think that the public transportation system has much to do with these lists. However, if your survey is contacted in a way that involves the residents, and topics like transportation are brought up, I am sure Raleigh won't do well. Still, this is not something that could cause Raleigh to sink in the vast majority of "best of" lists. The quality of life and the economic prosperity of this area are not linked to public transit, or the urban planning; we can still get from point A to point B in less than 30 minutes. Just because we, urban living advocates, are interested in certain amenities, doesn't mean they are the primary indicators of a place's economic growth and overall quality of life. Having moved from a city with an excellent public transportation system in place (NYC), I would not put Raleigh below its current ratings strictly based on public transit.

On the other hand, Raleigh's position in all those lists may become less prominent when it grows larger and a good public transportation is not in place, which may sound identical to what you say. My difference is that Raleigh's current status will not be lowered due to lack of good public transit because traffic is still manageable and will be for many years to come. I think that we are taking steps to improve the situation and by the time Raleigh reaches 500,000 people we should be well ahead in terms of public transit and other amenities.

If we continue to have gang banging at our local malls (i.e TTC skirmish over the weekend) as well as a general increase in crime and violence, we won't have to worry about our ranking on these types of lists...cause we won't have one!

Amen to that :okay: Well said and I totally agree. Thankfully, the problem was handled well and I surely hope to see some more action taken. No freakin' gangsters should be allowed in our area :bash:

Ruth has not really impressed me with her views, but this is very low, even for her standards: Where is the real Raleigh? (http://www.newsobserver.com/138/story/1164320.html) I am not against asking the validity of all these lists that put Raleigh very high, but the journalist seems to be missing the point: Raleigh is good in so many level that it doesn't really matter if it is not the No 1 in any sub-category. Raleigh gets kudos for its overall status. As for her second paragraph, read and laugh:
How about: City most likely to spend a million bucks on a downtown restaurant for rich folks while suburbanites stand in line at Olive Garden or Red Lobster.
Yes, we need to ask our city officials for an explanation when they do something wrong, or suspicious, but talking about The Mint like it is some sort of exclusive club is ridiculous. Sorry Ruth, but I didn't see Olive Garden, Red Lobster and all those chains flood DT Raleigh. Sometimes incentives are needed. On the other hand, I will be the first to admit that what the city officials did was not necessarily fair to the competition. Maybe they can take care of things without causing headaches and providing grounds for doubt, in the future.

Just for the record, I sometimes question those lists and awards, but Ruth fails to convince me that her article was the result of hard work and responsible research. It is much easier to doubt the validity of the awards than it is to come up with better rankings. Until then, Raleigh deserves all the recognition it is getting. There are cities, on the other hand, which deserve better coverage, but we can't say Raleigh hasn't earned its place among the best places, in many categories.

I am surprised nobody else posted this, but anyway... This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see a new section in the N&O: Midtown Raleigh News (http://www.newsobserver.com/midtownraleighnews/). Although I find their definition of Midtown a little too stretched, maybe some day it will seem reasonable. Several articles to check out:

Read all about Midtown Raleigh -- starting today (http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1175578.html)
Meet you at Midtown -- but just where is that? (http://www.newsobserver.com/midtownraleighnews/story/1175554.html)
Kane's North Hills hot spot growing (http://www.newsobserver.com/midtownraleighnews/story/1175559.html)
A nice site map (http://media.newsobserver.com/content/north_raleigh_news/story_graphics/20080813_kane_nrn.pdf) with some useful information
Thoughts on North Hills? (http://www.newsobserver.com/midtownraleighnews/story/1175534.html)

I applaud N&O's effort to provide coverage for certain areas of Raleigh, but I also hope to see this expand to other districts. Pertaining to North Hills, it seems like N&O has a little bias in its favor. While I must admit I am not ecstatic about Kane's request for TIF - probably a dead issue at this point - I must also recognize that he is one of the few developers who actually does something more than talking... NHE is a HUGE project, and while delivered in phases we can only hope that things will go so well that it will scale up more. Even as envisioned, NHE is a big effort and I can see why N&O - and not only - throws much confidence in North Hills as the center of Midtown Raleigh.

One of the important quotes can be found in the "Thoughts on North Hills" article: "Kane also plans to build a greenway as a recreational buffer between the development and the Farrior Hills neighborhood. He hopes to build a 35-story tower." Amen to that, I say!!! In the following paragraph we read that "... Kane is looking farther east, toward the likely purchase of 65 prime acres reaching almost to Wake Forest Road." What a great development this will be!!! A much needed connection between Six Forks and Wake Forest roads. This strip will flourish with development, and hopefully we'll get a few high-rises along the way. Too bad Kane is not involved in downtown development :(

To bad that I didn't have the foresight to invest in this area a few years ago.

We all make mistakes :lol:

Too bad Kane is not involved in downtown development :(

Maybe, just maybe Kane will buy out Empire Properties and take control of the Lafayette project. Wouldn't that be a dream come true...

I would not even go that far... He can simply bid for any of the remaining sites - or even Site 4, if Hatem doesn't deliver the goods - and build something nice, without even buying Empire Properties. Naturally, since the latter owns a lot of properties downtown, Kane could put his hands on them, simply by partnering with Hatem. There are at least 2-3 parcels that could host some decent high-rises... Very unlikely, but who says we cannot dream and hope :)

for some reason I get the feeling like Kane would rather stick to North Hills because it caters to his wealthy friends. I know NH and NHE are supposed to mix the retail, but the majority of it is quite expensive. Plus, one look at the people who frequent the area are of the wealthy background. Some people even drive from as far as Cameron Village to shop at NH, and they consider it their shopping center. Now I know this is a generalization, but it is true IMO.

Kane is the type of person that builds expensive because he knows he can deliver and bank on the exclusivity of his projects. Hatem seemed more like the person who pushed his sleeves up and got dirty for downtown. But we'll see....not to get too off topic here.

I will have to disagree with that, given the fact that I visit North Hills on a regular basis. Granted there is no way of knowing the financial background of those visiting NH, I do not have anything to make me believe that it is a playground for the rich. However, working at Cameron Village for over 16 years, I can say that there is a lot of old money and many well-off families that shop there. Kane doesn't cater to anyone, IMHO. He builds something for everyone and people decide where to go. Since Cameron Village was mentioned, allow me to say that rents over there are too high, making it a nearly exclusive place to operate your business, or even shop.

Hatem is definitely a very different person and his approach is diametrically opposite. He goes a lot after the older properties that can be renovated. It usually costs less, so it makes financial sense. Kane, on the other hand, goes after projects of much larger scale. I am grateful for having both, as they add value to our city. I feel sorry for Hatem not being able to pull Lafayette as we all hoped - he, too - but I believe he can deliver elegance. Kane sees North Hills as a great place to think big, and he has a lot of support from the existing residents.

Sorry...I was on a rant. That wasn't exzctly what I meant to say, but it was said that way. I too am a regular to NH, I live not even a mile from the center in the Cedar Hills area. But what I can't seem to fathom is why Kane would shift from what is his bread and butter in building outside the beltline, granted he has some developments within the beltline. He has done something spectacular for Raleigh with NH and NHE, and chances are pointing at another spectacular development with the recent purchases, but I just don't think he would see it as a positive business venture to head towards downtown. At NH, he is the dominant developer, and probably outside downtown he is as well, so why go downtown where there is expensive land, greater risk, and competition?

But I do hope that he does go downtown. What he could do would be off the charts IMO, as I see him as one of the biggest developers in NC, based off the success of his projects. And I am sure that he doesn't see downtown as wasteland, who doesn't? Downtown is booming, and he of course knows that, but at the same time, he knows it probably isn't the right time for him to move in that direction.

Sorry to go off topic...

In other news, how long does anyone think it will take to take care of that hideous Holiday Inn at Crabtree? It at least needs a makeover...but I would like to see a complete redo in both brand and design. It has such a high profile location...and well, it doesn't deliver the goods as one would hope...

I don't think that you are off-topic for discussing downtown. Given that Kane has already attracted office tenants from the CBD - the one the Reynoldses had almost secured for The Hillsborough -I think that it is important that we don't lose downtown employers to any outside the Beltline location. The good thing is that NH and NHE will continue to help us curb the sprawl and promote a more urban lifestyle outside downtown, something that other communities promised, at least to a certain extent, but failed miserably (i.e. Brier Creek).

Since you mentioned Crabtree Valley, let me say that I think it is important to bring more residential buildings to that area. The shopping destinations within a short distance would make any residential project in Crabtree Valley attractive. This is the only way I see the area around the mall becoming more pedestrian-friendly. Without residents, it will be hard to push the street-level improvements. I know that we have at least two major projects proposed for the section behind the mall, but a few residential buildings of smaller scale would do.

Some folks talked back about the North Hills East Expansion in the North Raleigh News (or Midtown news). One of the commenters looks familiar:

who could it be? (http://www.newsobserver.com/nrn/story/1185509.html) :)

One thing I should have sent in, was that I hoped Mr. K would have created more of a grid. I would love to see a dense urban belt from crabtree to Capital.

Yes, I was quoted first :lol:

Creating a grid in NHE would be ideal, but is it possible? There are landscape challenges, we have to admit. Anyway, NHE seems to be a vast improvement and I want to see the entire thing built as envisioned. Like you, I also love to see a dense urban belt between Capital Blvd and Crabtree Valley, but I wonder how long it will be before this happens...

I am NEVER excited when warehouses and flex space are discussed, but this piece of news attracted my interest: Lincoln Park North could fetch sizable gain (http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1186964.html). The exciting part about this article is this:
There's also an attractive long-term scenario: The 56-acre park, off Interstate 540 and U.S. 1, has the potential for redevelopment as offices, shops or homes.
Given the way things are done in Raleigh's Northern territories, I should be yawning by now, but I looked at the existing site plan, and it looks FANTASTIC!!! Check it out here (http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/MapSE.aspx?MapStyle=h&LID=13805556&CID=&ItemIndex=&NewItemIndex=&SearchResultID=&ResultCount=&FilteredSearchID=&FilteredResultCount=&PageNumber=&PageSize=&RecentlyViewed=&PopupView=&PinProfileView=&NoBrandingView=&ID=&MatchedKeywords=&PgCxtGuid=3b9f9ac8-911d-4389-9485-573c190993e1&PgCxtFLKey=&PgCxtCurFLKey=Profile&PgCxtDir=Lateral). Perfect grid with existing roads that should remain in place, I assume. Fourteen blocks of perfect grid that should ONLY be developed in an urban fashion. Mixed-use is the way to go, of course, but it is a bit early to tell.

IBM plans built on Arsenal technology

http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1188510.html

IBM plans built on Arsenal technology

http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1188510.html

I had to do a double-take on this one. Since my brain is tuned to English football, I thought the Arsenal reference was maybe for Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium. My bad!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/103/282828398_aba253dd17.jpg

How about something like this for a professional sports franchise with the RBC skyline in the background. But, from the north!!

Peace :2cents:

Maybe something along the lines of Santiago Bernabeu, in Madrid ;) Very nice and urban, but I would like to see better streetscapes.

http://european.clubs.googlepages.com/Santiago_Bernabeu.jpg/Santiago_Bernabeu-full.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Estadio_Santiago_Bernabeu_-_vista_exterior.jpg/800px-Estadio_Santiago_Bernabeu_-_vista_exterior.jpg

Maybe something along the lines of Santiago Bernabeu, in Madrid ;) Very nice and urban, but I would like to see better streetscapes.


I would definitely spot you on the urban landscaping for RealMadrid or even Benfica's Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Old Trafford (my personal favorite) is very (unfortunately) non-urban and away from the Manchester city centre and has a fairly large car park around it along with rail/tram stops.

http://www.manutdpics.com/image/Old-Trafford-aerial-shots_203481.jpg

New Wembley in northern London is a little better from an urban standpoint and has the car park/rail stop thing going with it:

http://www.ichauffeur.co.uk/a/i/wembley-stadium.jpg

But, I'll have to grudgingly admit that Chelsea's Stamford Bridge in southwestern London is the more urban(ly) integrated of the major football grounds in England.

http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/d5/d7/0,,10268~3200981,00.jpg


One probably would never see these in Raleigh (or the US for that matter), but it's fun to dream!!

I'll stop by the pub for a pint... :cheers:

Peace :2cents:

:drunk: :banana: I am sooo happy right now: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/08/25/story5.html

:nuts::drunk: :banana: I am sooo happy right now: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/08/25/story5.html

^^ Just one word...:nuts:

:nuts:

^^ Just one word...:nuts:

:hug: I knew you'd understand. Go back to bed now. :D

Poor g-man, your entire happiness is hanging from a thread :lol: Nothing to worry about, dude. The article sheds more light about the reasons behind the slow process and doesn't mean that this project was canceled.

Poor g-man, your entire happiness is hanging from a thread :lol: Nothing to worry about, dude. The article sheds more light about the reasons behind the slow process and doesn't mean that this project was canceled.

Why is everybody on this forum being mean to me? :( What's wrong with being happy over cancelled projects? :D

^^
Nothing... What's wrong with US being mean to YOU? You have established yourself as an easy target, much deserving what you are getting :lol:

http://www.newsobserver.com/167/story/1211425.html
Wake has nearly 4,000 new student's. :bash: :banana:

What ever happend to those 4 20 level tower's in APEX? Cancelled huh, im sorry (sike im happy).

Update on Soleil center...:lol:


http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3935277/

Update on Soleil center...:lol:


http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3935277/

Thanks for posting.

I for one am ready for this thing to start rising...even though I've never been blown away by the prospect I'd prefer it starts construction before say, they throw the plans out and build Raleigh's 100th McDonalds on site (not gonna happen I know, but u gotta admit that would suck)...

heres some stuff from six forks rd.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5011.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5022.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5020.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5018-1.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5017.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5014.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5008.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5004-1.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5001-1.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k306/emutiny/5006-1.jpg

CoOl.

wow very nice pics, thanks for posting!

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/INFOMAN9696/Raleigh.jpg
I liked this image I took by the NC natural something musuem (I dont remeber the full name).

i like to ride my bike there. not allowed to though.

:lol:

Look at all the Towers (http://kanerealtycorp.com/docs/press/43.pdf)in the picture on page three. North hills is going to be the place in a couple of years. :cheers:

Co0lll...

thanks ncsugrad

http://www.som.com/content.cfm/university_of_north_carolina_genome_science_laboratory_building
UNC genome science laboratory building/Chapel Hill

I snapped some shots recently. The roof looks to be the victim of a budget cut from the initial design. There are good (though small) pictures at the website as well. It will be nice to see once the metal skin goes on and the landscaping is completed. http://ncmoa.org/expansion_photos.shtml

This first pic is courtesy of a museum email inviting members to a "hardhat tour" on January 18th.
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/tommyboy6065/expansion.jpg?t=1231092073


http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/tommyboy6065/DSC_0002.jpg?t=1231092774
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/tommyboy6065/DSC_0009.jpg?t=1231092795
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/tommyboy6065/DSC_0012.jpg?t=1231092818
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww160/tommyboy6065/DSC_0015-1.jpg?t=1231092852

I can see those pics Tsnow. :) Looks more like a garden nursery rather than a museum. :(

Yeah but I still have hope.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1000%20NCMA%20wideangle.jpg
http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0209_01x.jpg
http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0209_11x.jpg
http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0209_09x.jpg

They're putting up the roof from the renders. The metal sheaths you see are just protective. They have pictures from the interior showing the real roof underneath them.

I like the giant concrete walls.

that is the museum? of ART? I have to say im not very impressed but Ill hold out for the final product. Thanks ALOT for the pictures none the less.

Here is an update from today's paper regarding the James Hunt Library on NC State's Centennial Campus. No images yet but it sounds like Raleigh may just be in for it's first world-class public space. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1362420.html

http://www.loopnet.com/Attachments/8/E/8/8E86239E-799E-44EE-BF16-9E89E4D1B0FE.jpg
Crabtree Place

There is one new tower going up in North Raleigh, it's very close to the newly constructed Renaissance.

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/exhibits/hunt/pbcl/connections.html

They're putting up the roof from the renders. The metal sheaths you see are just protective. They have pictures from the interior showing the real roof underneath them.

I'm sorry but even if the roof was to be made of cast gold, I would be severely underwhelmed by this project. This is not the least bit artistic!

Yeah but I still have hope.

http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/1000%20NCMA%20wideangle.jpg
http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0209_01x.jpg
http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0209_11x.jpg
http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/images/Feature0209_09x.jpg

I'm gonna go out on limb and say I like it. I don't know if this is the intention but the focus is on the art and the landscape. As long as the walls and windows are well-built and able to stay relatively clean, the simplicity is appealing.

Cool what is that building above?

The buildings are the art museum.

I drove by and still think the new expansion is bad. Its a bit better as they are applying aluminum skin to the exterior walls, but it still looks like a prison... Very disappointing.

http://www.newsobserver.com/business/story/1556315.html
Developers plan massive project in Apex.

Zebulon developer Tom Hendrickson submitted a request this week to approve his effort to build up to 10 million square feet of offices, 3.5 million square feet of shops, 2 million square feet of manufacturing space and 8,000 homes.

He hopes this 1,015-acre project, called Veridea, will become "the next-generation version of the world-renowned Research Triangle Park."

If successful, the project could add 20,000 residents and create more than 30,000 jobs, town officials said.

It won't happen overnight. The project is expected to take 10 to 15 years to complete, perhaps longer if the economy takes longer than expected to rebound.

To get started, the proposal must endure the town's planning approval process, a journey that may spill into next year. Given the size of the project, the town's planning regulations are likely to be tested. At a news conference in Town Hall, Mayor Keith Weatherly said the project would get a hard look. At the same time, he was quick to point out potential benefits of the project, which is bounded by U.S. 1, N.C. 55 and a future stretch of Interstate 540.

If built as proposed, Veridea would create $6 billion in additional tax revenue.

"That's billion, with a B," Weatherly said.

Because much of it would come from commercial property, Apex homeowners could get some tax relief. Homeowners account for about 75 percent of the town's current $4.2 billion tax base. With Veridea in place, homeowners would account for about 60 percent. But that's if it's approved, Weatherly stressed. "If, if, if, if."

Hendrickson has spent two years and at least $70 million assembling the site. His group still needs to close on 259 acres it has under contract, at a time when new loans for such acquisitions are hard to come by and maturing loans are harder to refinance.

Hendrickson declined to offer details about debt related to the project. But said he was confident that he and his partners would be able to withstand the credit crunch.

Lending would still have to ease before much of the project is built.

Still, Hendrickson hopes to get plans approved quickly, so that he can begin work on $60 million in roads and other infrastructure work. He hopes to wrap that up in 2011. By then, he hopes, the economy will be on the rise, offering demand for new homes and commercial space.

"Don't judge a farmer based on what you see coming out of the crop field in December," Hendrickson said. "That's when he's doing his preparation. I would be scared to death if the market was red hot today."

The project will allow town planners to take a broad view of growth over one large swath of land, rather than watching a part of Apex grow in piecemeal projects.

Hendrickson wants the project to be a nationally recognized leader in eco-friendly design, emphasizing walkability, high-density buildings, open space and alternative energy. Hendrickson said he hopes to use the sun, and perhaps methane gas from a nearby landfill, to power the project.

Veridea would also give economic developers something to market to the companies that they hope to lure to the Triangle. That's important, especially as many of the Triangle's major commerce centers, including the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park, run out of land that can be developed. RTP now controls less than 900 acres.

With Veridea, which is less than 15 miles from RTP, Hendrickson is banking on overflow, while improving on the park's suburban model.

In recent years, as population, traffic and gas prices have increased, more companies have sought campuses closer to homes, services, restaurants and shops. Having an abundance of those things could help seal a deal.

"Veridea appears to be just what many companies will be looking for the in the future," Ken Atkins, executive director of Wake county Economic Development, said in a statement. "... From an economic developer's perspective, the plans for Apex announced this week are very, very exciting."

___________________________________________________________________
Sounds like a pretty large project, congratulations Apex. (This project sounds like a project in Greenville, SC called Verdae that will have the same specs as this one)

Here are the renditions. Groundbreaking today on NC State's Centennial Campus with a completion date of 2012. This will be a signature building for both State and Raleigh thanks to the lead architect firm Snohetta (http://www.snoarc.no)from Norway.

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary/images/gallery/east_elevation.jpg

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary/images/gallery/east_elevation_closeup.jpg

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary/images/gallery/south_elevation.jpg

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/huntlibrary/images/gallery/Slide31gallery.jpg

WOW!!!!!!!!!

Raleigh looks so different from when I used to live there 3 yrs ago. Congrats.

that is one cool-looking library!

A large hotel has been submitted to the city for site plan approval.
http://www.raleighnc.gov/publications/Planning/Plans_in_Review/2009/Plan_Submittal_Maps_by_Type/Site_Plan/SP-075-09.pdf
It will have 358 rooms and two towers. One 125 feet tall and the other is 115 feet tall. It is located on Trinity Road across from the fairgrounds.
I don't know anything about it other than what I have already stated. Since they are calling it by a generic name, the owners must want to keep the hotel chain secret for the time being.
The location seems a little strange for the size of the hotel, but maybe it is something more high end close to the RBC center.

NOTE:

I've unstickied the few development threads that have been quiet for over a year. If you would like to update this thread regularly and see it re-stickied, please pm me! Thank you. :)

desertpunk