What’s The Future Of This Building?
This building is located across from the Days Inn on Dawson Street. It’s obviously very old, but I couldn’t find any evidence of what this building is going to become after restoration is complete. Does anyone know its future is or what business or other entity once existed here?
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05/05/2008
One of my favorite buildings downtown. I really hope nothing happens to it. If I had some money, this would be the first spot I would want to revive. The building is gorgeous!
05/05/2008
Leo – It looks like the renovation process is already underway. It has brand new windows all around and the inside has been cleaned up. The back side of the building has evidence of homeless people setting up camp, but otherwise is in good condition. I agree, I am certainly glad the decision was made not to take a wrecking ball to this place.
05/06/2008
I dunno…I think those windows were redone at least two or three years ago. I’ve been noticing them for a long time and just waiting to see if something would be going in there. (Loft condos/apts seem the logical choice for that building…similar to what’s so common in downtown Durham these days.) Strange it’s still empty.
05/07/2008
I’m thinking that things went on hold when the TTA project failed to materialize. From the map, it would have been right next to the Capital stop. Now, who knows…
Peace
05/12/2008
Here’s some info on that building from the Urban Planet blog:
http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/History-Triangle-t19040.html&st=200
“This was originally the Melrose Knitting Company mill. I do not know the exact date of construction but the original portion shows up in a 1903 Sanborn Map. (the eastern facade is clearly newer in your picture)
Here is the map.
http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/post-a5024-
I read some of the EIS that TTA originally submitted and this is not in the footprint for the station. In fact TTA had to prove the station would not harm the building from what I read. Its currently owned by a guy from Afghanistan (I attended a function there once, great time!). I also know the guy who built and installed all those windows and according to him the owner is sitting on it waiting to cash in on its location next to the station site. All hearsay, but thats all I know.”
Raleigh Boy here again: I remember it was an antique shop 30+ years ago, but it’s been mostly vacant since then. A one time 10 or so years ago there was some interest in putting artists’ and designers’ studios in there; but after cleaning it up and getting the power back on nothing ever came of.
03/09/2010
Raleigh Boy, the first link you provided does not seem to work or perhaps they have removed the file.
Looking closely at the building, it looks as if it was added onto several times. I’ve heard many stories about the building’s history, but I can’t seem to find much on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated and any old photos too.
The building had several signed leases, however, none of the previous tenants went through with plans and why it’s sat vacant for so long. It doesn’t really have anything to do with the owner waiting to cash in as much as just getting a viable (financially secure) tenant.
03/09/2010
Bresh– yes, that’s apparently an outdated link. I haven’t visited that site in quite a while. The Melrose Knitting Mill Co. began operating out of this building before 1903, and closed during the Depression years. It anchored the southern edge of the legendary working-class community of Smoky Hollow, which stretched from North to Peace streets, and was bounded on the east and west by the railroad tracks. The two-story, three-bay wing so clearly seen in John’s photos was added sometime after 1914. The front of the building itself actually faces North St., but that section of North between Harrington and Salisbury streets was taken out by the construction of Downtown (now Capital) Blvd in the 1950s.
03/09/2010
RB, that’s fascinating. Where did you find this information? Can you copy me on it?
I’m just glad there is something finally going on after so long.
Click on my avatar.
03/09/2010
Bresh — My knowledge of Raleigh history comes from many sources, most notably the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps — issued for Raleigh between 1884 and 1950, Raleigh property maps, city directories, the county registery of deeds, archival photographs and print material, newspaper accounts, various primary sources and from my own observations and experience.
I can make you pdfs of the Sanborn maps relative to Melrose Knitting Mill and send them to you in a private email, if you like.
03/09/2010
That’d be wonderful! Click my name and you see my email addy.