The Chinese Laundry [updated]
It appears Raleigh soon will be losing yet another of its historic commercial buildings. I am speaking of the former Bing Lee Chinese Hand Laundry, located at the corner of West and Jones Streets, across from the 42nd Street Oyster Bar. The 2-story brick structure has stood on that corner at least since the early 1930s.
The structure is a typical small-scale industrial building of its era. Oversized, industrial glazed windows originally allowed natural light to stream into the interior space. At some point, though, these were bricked up, and replaced with the present-day scaled-down versions. Its solid red brick walls have been painted over many times through the years. A rampart of red terra cotta tile delineates the second floor roofline, in what looks to be a nod to modest Mission style ornamentation.
Though not nearly as architecturally significant as the doomed Garland Jones building on Salisbury St., nor as historically significant as the 1870s storefronts on Wilmington St., the 2-story brick Chinese laundry yet retains its modest utilitarian charm, characteristic of so many of Raleigh’s early 20th century commercial structures. Now it, along with the little brick neighborhood grocery on the next corner, is slated to be demolished and replaced by another ubiquitous mega hotel, the Power House Plaza.
Various businesses have occupied the old building over the years, but the one I remember most vividly is the Chinese Hand Laundry. In the 1960s, my Dad’s office was downtown, and sometimes on the occasions when he gave me a ride home from school, it was not unusual for him to stop in at the original 42nd Street Oyster Bar for a PBR and a chat with his buddies. Through the cigarette smoke-stained window of the bar, I could see the big sign across the street that read “Lee’s Chinese Hand Laundry.†And through that smoky haze the red terra cotta tile roof evoked an image of an ancient Chinese pagoda. I would think to myself, not only did our little city have the Canton Café Chinese restaurant a couple blocks up the street, but a Chinese laundry as well–how exotic it all seemed!
I’m not sure when the Chinese laundry closed—probably 30 or more years ago, but nowadays when I drive by there I never fail to reminisce on the sad and forlorn building on the corner—the place I once imagined so long ago as Raleigh’s “Little Chinatownâ€.
[UPDATE]
Although the Chinese laundry building will soon pass into memory, it will yet live on, sort of. Handling the demo is Global Earthworks, http://globalearthworks.com/ a company which specializes in deconstruction and reclaimation in compliance with L.E.E.D. Certification. They will be “recycling” the building, and are going to crush the masonry onsite into aggregate for use in permeable pavement. A foreman told me some of the aggregate will be used to “pave” a parking lot near the railroad tracks, just a few hundred feet to the north of the Chinese laundry building.
01/22/2009
Wow… the photos are amazing! I loooove the glass areas inside! How’d you get in there?!
To me, I always thought the building was in use. I didn’t realize it until I saw this story. I honestly don’t know if I’ll miss this structure too much though, as I’ve never really viewed it as something spectacular (from the outside at least).
01/22/2009
Nocturnal Urban Spelunking at its finest, great photos.
01/22/2009
nice writeup and pictures of a building I have always been intrigued in myself!!
I will say that I am disappointed by Goodnight, Raleigh!’s coverage of our recent blessing of snow!! This blog has always been my favorite for everything Raleigh… You guys seem to have missed on this one! =(
No worries… I forgive you! ;)
01/22/2009
Myles and Lupus – thank you for the kind words regarding the photos.
packpigskinfan25 – I’ll take full responsibility and offer my apologies for the lack of snow coverage. I was too busy having fun with it to take pictures, but now wish I had. Although this was the first (non-trivial) snow event in the 5 years I’ve lived here, I have a feeling it won’t be our last this season. You’ve got my word–next time there will be wall to wall coverage.
Thanks for reading and for the feedback.
01/23/2009
Thats one of those buildings that has always been there that I haven’t given very much thought to until it is ready to go away. Glad to see you got some photos before it went away. (I never had any idea about the Chinese Laundry)
01/23/2009
All–Thanks for taking the time to comment. While the Chinese Laundry building itself isn’t much to look at, it is its context within its (fast-disappearing) neighborhood that makes it important.
John–Thanks much for getting these outstanding photos! My story wouldn’t be much without them.
01/26/2009
RB and John, nice post as always. Raleigh’s little chinatown! John, I love the multi-exposure, but the one with 42nd street out the window is one of your best yet. It gives the appearance of the view out that window as some kind of hanging picture. awesome.
01/28/2009
Ben – thanks for the compliment.
I definitely want to see some more of your night time Holga shots. Much like a scratched floorboard, the off-color hue that streaks some of the images adds character.
03/10/2011
I also used to go with my Dad to the old 42nd St. when I was a kid in the 50s-60s. Would also go with my Mom to the Chinese laundry to pick up linens and my Dad’s shirts. Loved the smell of that place! And it was so exotic to this white bread little girl.
07/28/2016
As a child, I remember Mr. Lee would pick-up and deliver the laundry all through Hayes Barton. One time my mother called him to pick up some sheets and was so impressed with how quickly he arrived. When she opened the door to greet him she remarked, “Bing Lee, you got here likity split.” Mr. Lee just shook his head and said, “No ma’aam. I came to get laundry.”