Raleigh photos

[Jones_]

Yeah, I'm on the fence about this one... I really just don't want to end up with a repeat of "Moore Square Station Syndrome" where a huge, 8-level parking deck in back towering over the old 2-story buildings on the street. That is mucho feo. If they can somehow mask the parking deck, or wrap it in something other than parking (like condos) and then still fit inside the block, then I'm all for it.

Another problem is the old buildings are not of a uniform depth. If the backs of the deeper old buildings could be demolished such that they extend 100 feet back from Wilmington Street, and an alleyway built behind the entire row, that would still leave most of the block for new construction, and it would be a nice, regular, rectangular shape. And, oh yeah- don't forget to fill in the gaps between the old buildings with new construction. Something 8 or 10 stories tall might be nice.

I was actually thinking of a hybrid concept too where the deep Godwin elevator complex gets razed and the two shallow chunks on the corners get a good makeover and are allowed to stay. The best way to not have a towering deck is to not build such a big parking deck I like the alley (for garbage trucks etc.) and the 8-10 story height for infill.

[urbanesq]

nice... thanks for sharing... i took some pics over at Dix today with some freinds... that is until a security guard chased us away. how much of the old convention center is left?

Funny side note: they've been hard at work on the roof in HazMat suits all day. I suppose they're removing the aesbestos tiles, which is pretty hilarious, since their activity is not contained, and the wind is blowing the particulates right into the air.

[bdp]

i think i am going to down and look at the convention center.. if there's enough daylight left.

[Justin6882]

^I walked over there last night, it really is coming along. I can't WAIT to see the whole thing down and look from the Progress Energy center to the Capitol building, even if construction debris interferes slightly.

[bdp]

as stupid as this sounds, i fantasized that someday they would tear that ugly b*tch down, but i never thought it would happen... Given the way things in raleigh had been run for years... i can't wait either.

[Eastwestrob]

as stupid as this sounds, i fantasized that someday they would tear that ugly b*tch down, but i never thought it would happen... Given the way things in raleigh had been run for years... i can't wait either.

Yes..I can't wait either. But, you have to realize that at the time it was built it seemed very modern and everyone was in awe of it. Funny how time really changes things as it just doesn't fit anymore. The new CC will be the same in 25 years....wait and see.

[Justin6882]

^Yeah I guess I can see that happening, but as long as I can remember I've always thought the current CC was dirty, dark, and small. One thing is for sure, the new one will never look small! And hopefully it won't look dark either, with all the glass and the "shimmer" wall

[bdp]

Yes..I can't wait either. But, you have to realize that at the time it was built it seemed very modern and everyone was in awe of it. Funny how time really changes things as it just doesn't fit anymore. The new CC will be the same in 25 years....wait and see.

I thought about my comment, and it was pretty much made off the cuff, with out thinking. I really do not think the old convention center was ugly, or a b*tch. It just REALLY did not belong where it was sitting. That was my only gripe about it. Sorry for the confusion.

[Jones_]

I thought about my comment, and it was pretty much made off the cuff, with out thinking. I really do not think the old convention center was ugly, or a b*tch. It just REALLY did not belong where it was sitting. That was my only gripe about it. Sorry for the confusion.

I agree that its location was the only huge problem.....continual enlarging on some other site and the old one would have a nice '70's funk to it, like it belongs in Father & Sons or something

[dmccall]

Just a little note for those who are overly protective of the yucky "historic" buildings (as opposed to the really good ones):

I was pondering the importance of "historic" buildings as we redevelop downtown. There is a real bias against buildings built since WWII. I have no problems tearing down the Civic Center, but it was the location of several important events:

• my HS graduation,

• speech by Ronald Reagan,

• my first date,

• NC Showchoir Invitational (which I emceed during the daytime portions),

• numerous Pieces of Gold performances,

• baseball show in 1979 (that was a LOT of fun),

• numerous Inaugural Balls,

• numerous NC Debutante Balls (my sister made hers there and I was an Assistant Marshall one year),

• events of the 1987 Olympic Festivals,

• professional tennis

• several concerts (Porno For Pyros and The Connells each stand out).

• It was the backdrop for numerous fun Alive After Five and Artsplosure concerts (I saw Buddy Rich there a few months before he died) and;

• the site of the big gala welcoming home the Carolina Hurricanes after they were eliminated in the Stanley Cup Finals.

This building contains a heck of a lot more history in my life than most of the "historic" buildings in Raleigh. So when we talk about "historic", are we talking about buildings with important pasts or just those with charming architecture?

[bdp]

it's too bad it was sitting in the middle of fayetteville street... whoever dreamt that idea up was an idiot, imo...

[bdp]

so, i was just downtown taking some pictures of the convention center... and this security guard came up to me (i attract them for some reason, maybe I look shady ) anyway, he said the building is going to be imploded on sunday morning, not friday, at 7am. apparantly someone on the construction (destruction?) crew told him this. any way we can find out for sure? i am out of town friday and saturday, but i would drive back overnight sat. to see this...

PS can someone tell me how to put pictures up here? I am totally clueless when it comes to computer stuff.

[dmccall]

so, i was just downtown taking some pictures of the convention center... and this security guard came up to me (i attract them for some reason, maybe I look shady ) anyway, he said the building is going to be imploded on sunday morning, not friday, at 7am. apparantly someone on the construction (destruction?) crew told him this. any way we can find out for sure? i am out of town friday and saturday, but i would drive back overnight sat. to see this...

PS can someone tell me how to put pictures up here? I am totally clueless when it comes to computer stuff.

Thanks so much for this info, oh shady one.

[bdp]

so when is the big implosion, friday or sunday? I am betting on sunday just because it would seem like they would want it done when there is minimal activity downtown...

[Jones_]

Just a little note for those who are overly protective of the yucky "historic" buildings (as opposed to the really good ones):

I was pondering the importance of "historic" buildings as we redevelop downtown. There is a real bias against buildings built since WWII. I have no problems tearing down the Civic Center, but it was the location of several important events:

• my HS graduation,

• speech by Ronald Reagan,

• my first date,

• NC Showchoir Invitational (which I emceed during the daytime portions),

• numerous Pieces of Gold performances,

• baseball show in 1979 (that was a LOT of fun),

• numerous Inaugural Balls,

• numerous NC Debutante Balls (my sister made hers there and I was an Assistant Marshall one year),

• events of the 1987 Olympic Festivals,

• professional tennis

• several concerts (Porno For Pyros and The Connells each stand out).

• It was the backdrop for numerous fun Alive After Five and Artsplosure concerts (I saw Buddy Rich there a few months before he died) and;

• the site of the big gala welcoming home the Carolina Hurricanes after they were eliminated in the Stanley Cup Finals.

This building contains a heck of a lot more history in my life than most of the "historic" buildings in Raleigh. So when we talk about "historic", are we talking about buildings with important pasts or just those with charming architecture?

The National Historic Register takes into account both aspects when considering listing a building...the age and architecture of the building itself and who a building is associated with. Every crumbling shack on a dead-end dirt road holds memories for someone....many times I have stopped to look at a sharecroppers farmhouse and tried to imagine the kids running through the front yard.... I usually take a picture...one day the last bits of that shack will be gone and with it the memories......There will be a day when we wonder why we knocked down the CC, the old Raleigh Federal Building, and othe stuff from the 60's and 70's because the architecture is so unique.

[dmccall]

so when is the big implosion, friday or sunday? I am betting on sunday just because it would seem like they would want it done when there is minimal activity downtown...

How 'bout any night, then! Seriously, I wonder if all of the downtown churches play into a Sunday decision.

[Flash]

I'll post a few teaser then and now shots- not entirely from the same vantage points but fun to compare nevertheless. The old photos come from the NCSU archives. I plan on doing something more extensive at a later date.

Step back about 8 months:

Step back about 35 years:

Another more current view:

The NCSU "Tri Towers" and older dorms with One Progress under construction:

A parade along Fayetteville Street, not sure of the date (Briggs Hardware Building sticks out, and the Post Office):

Only now are we correcting mistakes, from today:

Steam engine and Alexander Hall, I believe:

I'll part with a very old aerial of the NCSU campus, pre-Bell Tower. Notice the 1911 building and Court of the Carolinas:

[intelprocessor]

Cool!

I do notice that raleigh doesnt have much of a skyline! It's not as big as I hoped it would be when I got relocated here 5 months ago.

[NCMike1981]

Very interesting to see One Progress under construction, it looks so much taller in it's pre BB&T heyday....the Hudson looks kind of shoddy from that Fayetteville St vantage point, although I'll withhold too much judgement until I see it in person...

once again very interesting to see the old pictures!

[MR-2]

Cool!

I do notice that raleigh doesnt have much of a skyline! It's not as big as I hoped it would be when I got relocated here 5 months ago.

Give it a few years... we'll get one soon enough

[Eastwestrob]

Very Sweet Flash. I remember when I was @ 10 years old and they built the Progress one and it seemed like the largest in America to me....Funny how reality sets in as you get older and actually travel to other cities.

[MR-2]

Both Progress Energy buildings have good architecture. I took a few pics around Raleigh a few weeks ago, and it seems to me that those do the most justice for the density of the skyline. It must be the glass.

[dmccall]

Those pictures are great. The skyline looks so much better from the north and the south than from east and west.

(Certainly most of you have seen this building, but others may not have). Have you all seen the 56-story 55 Water Street (1972) in NYC?? How 'bout that? That site credits Emory Roth as the architects on it. Anyone have any info on Progress I? Same firm? I remember that the Raleigh building is newer than 72, right?

[DigitalSky]

those are some really cool comparisons

[Eastwestrob]

Both Progress Energy buildings have good architecture. I took a few pics around Raleigh a few weeks ago, and it seems to me that those do the most justice for the density of the skyline. It must be the glass.

You know, I am glad someone else feels that way. Progress II is a beautiful tower. Progress I has always been a neat looking building to me...Just wish it was @ 15 floors higher. That would have really made it stick out in the skyline and a better chance of not being blocked out in the future