Goodnight, Raleigh!

Looking down Blake St., in the City Market area.

The city as seen from the Wilmington St. bridge over the railroad tracks.

Looking down towards the West Martin Street area in the Warehouse District.

Just another cityscape as seen from E. Lenoir St.

My first few experiences with photography downtown involved the Clarion Building. In fact, the third post to this blog included a picture I took in 2004 from the top of the Clarion Hotel when the Tower Lounge and Restaurant was in the process of being built/formed. I also had another post where the top of the Clarion Tower looked like a UFO because the middle part was obscured by trees.
I’m not sure how some in the local architectural community in general feel about this building, but I view it as a landmark and am very proud to have it in my home town. It’s something that is instantly recognizable, and not because it is ugly like the Garland H. Jones building is. I have plans for future blog posts involving this particular building.

At 301 Hillsborough St. (across from the Clarion building), lies the shell of what used to house the RPD. According to the City of Raleigh web site,

Reynolds Company, LLC is planning a mixed-use development on the combined site of 301 and 309 Hillsborough Street. The project would include residential units, office and retail space, a hotel and a parking deck. The Raleigh City Council voted June 20 to approve an offer to sell the City-owned office building at 301 Hillsborough St. to Reynolds for $2.8 million. The sale of the land is contingent upon the completion of an updated appraisal within six months of closing. In 2001, the City sold the company the parking lot at 309 Hillsborough St. The building at 301 Hillsborough St. houses some City government offices. Under terms of the sales agreement, Reynolds Company must meet certain deadlines regarding development of the mixed-use project or the City could exercise its option to repurchase the property at 301 and 309 Hillsborough St.

According to Shaw University,

Leonard opened in 1882 as the nation’s first 4-year medical school and was the first medical school devoted to training African Americans in the South. Approximately 400 doctors graduated from Leonard bringing medical care to areas across North Carolina and the world that had a desperate need for doctors. In addition to the medical school, Shaw opened a hospital in 1911 and gave the African American community in and around Raleigh access to precious medical care that was hard for poorer citizens to find otherwise.

As a disclaimer, I’ve never been to The Office on West Martin Street. Being a fan of electronic music, I have toyed with the idea a few times. Unfortunately, every time I approach I see parking lots full of Hummer SUV limousines and Lincoln limousines, with giant Valet parking signs and red carpet. As much as I idealize the thought of relaxing in a former blacksmith shop and Logans Coal Warehouse, I’ve yet to go into the place. Seems too out of place. Catering to an exclusive crowd, in a building with much history.