Goodnight Raleigh - a look at the art, architecture, history, and people of the city at night
Every city has its share of buildings considered “eyesores”, and the AT&T building (former BellSouth building) certainly qualifies as that. Built in 1948 and standing 8 stories tall, it creates a virtual pedestrian desert on the block bounded by Hargett, McDowell, Morgan, and Salisbury Streets.
Squeezed onto a narrow lot between the monolithic Baker Sunday school wing of Christ Church and the five story Capital Apartments on New Bern Avenue is Raleigh’s oldest surviving brick building — the State Bank of North Carolina.  When erected in 1813, it was the only structure on this block. In order to save it from demolition when the Baker wing was built, the venerable old building was moved 100 feet to its current location in 1968.
 
The top photo shows the State Bank in 1966 on its original, solid granite block foundation. The bottom photo shows the building in 2009 at its current site.
Much like Grosvenor Gardens on Hillsborough Street, the buildings and surrounding landscape of Capitol Broadcasting Company (WRAL/FOX50) are an overlooked but beautiful part of Raleigh.
A few weeks ago I was introduced to the Azalea Gardens that are a part of the property. A friend from back home was getting her bridal portraits made here (among other places), and I strolled about the area for the first time. I had visited the surrounding structures on more than one occasion (mostly admiring the architecture) but had never ventured to this hidden and beautiful flower garden.
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