New Life for The Hue
Downtown Raleigh’s boldest condo project, The Hue, had a rough start after initially failing to sell any residential units. It entered the real estate market at the worst time in recent history, and a series of missteps by the original Los Angeles development group created a failed project in what should have been a receptive market.
After being sold and converted to rental units about six months ago, more and more residents are moving in and things are looking up. The missing component to the turnaround was ground-level retail, and that will soon change with the opening of Tribeca Cafe next month.
The Departure of a Downtown Raleigh Icon
Despite the promise of new residents moving in with the conversion to a rental property, longtime Raleigh stalwart White Rabbit Books closed its doors last November. It was especially painful as they had been in business for over 20 years in their previous location deeper in the Warehouse District. Because of this, many questioned the viability of retail storefronts in the Hue.
Despite a loyal clientele and long history in Raleigh, White Rabbit was a niche retail operation in a part of downtown that (for now) is light on foot traffic during daylight hours. Its departure shouldn’t represent the long term viability of retail in this area.
Above are staff getting Tribeca ready. The business name is posted in the windows.
The New Tenant: Tribeca Cafe
There are several signs on the windows on the Hargett Street side indicating a new business will soon open: Tribeca Cafe. One of the guys working inside said that in addition to a cafe with food, it will also be a “bar bar.” The Facebook page for Tribeca Cafe lures future patrons in:
Organic Espresso, Drip Coffee, Teas, and an excellent menu of hand picked, breakfast combinations at The Tribeca Cafe and Lounge. […]
Let us tantalize your taste buds with one of our many choices from Gourmet Sandwiches, Soups, Exotic Salads, or even Delectable Sushi,
*SUSHI SPECIALS ON EVERY TUESDAY!!*
The cuisine special and menu is available from 12pm to 2AM!
The person preparing the inside said that they expect to be open by the end of next month.
Opening a cafe and lounge in the space looks like the logical first step in opening up street level retail. One only need look a block or so away and see the success of Liz Masnik at The Borough to see that this part of town has a thriving night life scene and can easily sustain more.
A Welcome Splash of Color
Aesthetically, I think the Hue is at or near the top of condo projects in Downtown Raleigh. The exterior colors, stepped walls, and ample glass make for a modern and attractive building. This type of high-density mixed-use property is what Raleigh needs more of. Something like this is what we should have got in Cameron Village, not the revivalist project designed by Cameron Park residents that we’re getting.
I’m wishing the owners of Tribeca Cafe success and hope it will usher in more retail frontage on the corner of Hargett and Dawson Streets.
Poised halfway between the Boylan Bridge Brewpub, the Warehouse District, and the core of Downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street, this area has nowhere to go but up.
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03/09/2011
Is this going in the old White Rabbit space or further up Hargett where the windows are papered over?
03/09/2011
I’m so, so glad the Hue has converted to rental apartments. As you know, I’m sure, here’s the thing: In this economy, folks who want to live in downtown areas just don’t have the 50% down that banks are requiring now for loans. But they CAN afford the rent and security deposit. More apartments, vs. for-sale condos, make so much sense. Good for The Hue! btw: I love the color The Hue brings to the downtown skyline.
03/09/2011
I’m pretty sure that it’s going in closer to Dawson – they have been working in there for a while now. I’ve lived at Hue since the last week of September and it is nice having some more neighbors now. It was almost a little creepy in the very beginning.
It will be nice to have a new joint in the area – looking forward to the cafe opening.
03/09/2011
For a minute I was confused by Tribeca Cafe going in here until I realized this is not Rocky Top Hospitality’s Tribeca Tavern in Cary (and a second one soon to open in the old Michael Dean’s space on Falls of Neuse).
03/10/2011
@BC in NC: Supposed to be a Tribeca Tavern going in Seaboard Station in the next 6 months.
@Leland Witter: what is the occupancy % at the HUE now, would you wager a guess. The rest of us can only estimate based on the number of DirecTV dishes, and patio furniture on the outside.
03/10/2011
Sorry for the double, but there also looks to be progress on another commercial space in the HUE in the space near the main entrance on Dawson. Anybody know anything about it?
03/10/2011
Breakfast… that is key. Vibrant night life only exists if the area has kick ass places that serve breakfast all day. I for one will go out of my way to support this place cause I am sick and tired of fighting the wave of Baptists wearing leather miniskirts at the NOFO brunch. Or, having to make a scene (I call it performance art with a 2 year old) at NCMA to force people to abandon tables. Shouldn’t everyday be brunch??? Seriously. Next thing you know, Raleigh will have a version of the Guvernment club from the Toronto waterfront and we can hit the sack after a massive 3000 person plus rhythmic industrial rave in a 5 star Westin. Argh… nothing upsets me more than driving past the foundation for the bankrupt Westin project 3 blocks from my uptown Raleigh house.
Actually, I am a bit surprised the folks at Goodnight Raleigh haven’t done a story on the rehabbed 60s modern high rise @ Glenwood and Edward’s Mill that overlooks the sad fate of the Westin project. They did a good job.
03/10/2011
Just to follow up, can we just prevent anyone posting comments with the word “Cary” in it?
03/10/2011
We’re going to have a place called Tribeca Cafe down the road from a place called Tribeca Tavern in downtown Raleigh? Embarrassing. Don’t we have our own character and culture to draw from or are we building a NYC shrine here in Raleigh?
03/11/2011
I always wanted to open a shoe store in the Hue… “Hue Shoes”… but I second Lupus Yonderboy’s every-day brunch and agree with Sluv observation!
03/11/2011
I think this cafe and the concept is a good idea….great to get the pre-nightclub crowds in the area.
@kim – I agree downtown needs more apartments than condos. However, Hue’s rental rates are so outlandishly high, I doubt it helps much. What downtown really needs is apartments—with reasonable rates.
@hackles – Looks like the White Rabbit space, from the picture above. Those fluorescent signs above the windows used to have the store name on them.
@eFab- “Hue Shoes”….genius! ;-)
03/13/2011
@RaleighRob – Thanks! If I find any usefully sized capital at the end of my income tax exercise, I might try to pursue it (at lease (c) the name…) ;-)