Photo credit: Jesse Dotson, GNR special correspondent

Within days of the destruction of the exquisitely designed modernist Paschal house last month, the Diocese of Raleigh announced that the former residence of the Bishop of Raleigh on Bilyeu St., known familiarly as “Little Maryknoll,” would soon meet the same fate. Sadly, demolition began Wednesday.

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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.
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One of the very few noteworthy structures on Wake Forest Road near the beltline is set to be razed. The 1960s era former Fire Station Four above will soon be replaced with a mattress store.

The old fire station is home to Oak City Coffee Roasters, and the company is having an open house on Saturday. If you’d like to see how coffee is roasted or just see the old fire station before it’s destroyed, now is your chance.

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