Raleigh, Then and Now: Nehi Bottling Company
Top: 1944, Bottom: 2012
Top image courtesy State Archives of North Carolina
Nestled beside the Wilmont Apartments on Hillsborough Street sits one of Raleigh’s earliest examples of modernist architecture. Built in 1937, the building first functioned as the Nehi Bottling Company. Designed by acclaimed Raleigh architect William Henley Deitrick, it is a great example of the International style.
This early style of modernist architecture suggests volume rather than mass, and function rather than form. The only ornamentation original to the building are the black glass tiles flanking the main entrance, some of which have fallen off in recent years.
Another example of this style, this time residential, can be found nearby on Turner St.
The Nehi Bottling Company continued to operate in this building until 1965, at which point it was occupied by the Royal Crown Bottling Company, which continued to operate there until 1970.
This Raleigh architectural treasure was designated a Raleigh historic landmark in 2010. Today it sits vacant, in dire need of restoration.
Here we see the Nehi delivery truck crew proudly posing by their vehicles in front of the plant in 1940. (State Archives of North Carolina photo)
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01/24/2013
The Nehi building was a cool design in its day. What a shame it needs so much help now. Thanks for posting this.
The house on Turner Street looks like it would also be a star in a different location, http://tinyurl.com/20Turner
01/24/2013
Wonder if the lettering across the top could be put back in place. Really adds something.
01/24/2013
I would love to buy this building and restore it to have a brewery on the bottom floor and maybe turn the 2nd floor into a bar. I’ll just add it to the list of things I’d do if I had money to spare. Sigh.
01/24/2013
I agree put the royal crown mural back it would be striking!
01/24/2013
“1942 – The Josephine Edwards House, 20 Turner, Raleigh. Designed by her son, NCSU Architectural Engineering graduate Richard Edwards. After she died, the heirs eventually transferred the house to grandson Francis C. Edwards, the owner as of 2012.”
from: http://www.trianglemodernisthouses.com/raleigh.htm
01/31/2013
I used to live at the Wilmont when I was growing up and I always wondered what that building was for originally. It would be great to see it restored.
02/14/2013
Nice. Love the then and now posts. I got me a couple pictures of this building from a couple years ago. http://www.flickr.com/photos/benspiker/5210395438/in/set-72157625476086822/
03/03/2013
I have to think the renaissance that this section of Hillsborough is undergoing can only be good for this building. Once the Hillsborough-facing parts of the Valentine project get underway, and given the work already done like the renovation of the Wilmont, it’s just a matter of time. (Plus the Raleigh Historic Landmark designation will protect it from demolition. Right…?)