That whole block from Gardner to Brooks should be taken out, from the Baptist Student Union to the barber shop to Jersey Mike's/Gumby's. I'll admit I like Jersey Mike's but that block has too many surface parking lots. The space could be better utilized.

9/26/2014 6:49:37 PM

how far down that strip of buildings are they tearing down? two guys all the way through brothers? stopping adjacent to the alley? are they tearing down the shanghai building? that lounge building?

9/26/2014 8:09:08 PM

Quote :

"Pretty everything in the Horne->Chamberlain block (Mitch's / Frazier's/ Porter's / McDaid's / etc) block is pretty nice and I hope that stuff never gets touched. The bowling alley is nice but not because the building is pretty, but rather because it contains a bowling alley. Other than that, though, everything on Hillsborough is fair game in my opinion if they want to replace it with something better."

That's about the way I feel. Other than the Horne->Chamberlain block and the bowling alley, to get to a building I actually care about on that side of the street, you have to go all the way to David's Dumpling (old Darryl's building) going east and to the Wilmont going west. In between, Some buildings will probably stay because they make sense (e.g. the SECU building) or because the university owns them (Hillsborough building) but there's very little of architectural or NCSU-tradition note outside of the buildings listed above. Some of the businesses that do have a bit of history on that stretch (EV, Man-Mur, Cup-A-Joe, etc) could stay but their buildings aren't critical.

[Edited on September 26, 2014 at 8:59 PM. Reason : a]

9/26/2014 8:57:06 PM

9/26/2014 9:07:15 PM

^Yep, and if that hadn't burned down, it might be the centerpiece of Hillsborough. But their current building is pretty damn nondescript. I did mention they should stay, and given the etymology of Man-Mur they're pretty tied to that location, but they could temporarily relocate elsewhere on Hillsborough and then come back, right?

9/26/2014 9:19:05 PM

Quote :

"That's about the way I feel. Other than the Horne->Chamberlain block and the bowling alley, to get to a building I actually care about on that side of the street, you have to go all the way to David's Dumpling (old Darryl's building) going east and to the Wilmont going west. In between, Some buildings will probably stay because they make sense (e.g. the SECU building) or because the university owns them (Hillsborough building) but there's very little of architectural or NCSU-tradition note outside of the buildings listed above. Some of the businesses that do have a bit of history on that stretch (EV, Man-Mur, Cup-A-Joe, etc) could stay but their buildings aren't critical."

I would probably keep the distinctive modern building between Wolf Mart and SECU, but other than that, I concur with your list. Evidently that building is somewhat significant?

Start with the eyesores like the baptist student union and the used car dealers. Electric Company and Cup a Joe are nice if somewhat bland buildings so they can be the last to go, but in the end I wouldn't mind it if they came down, as long as it was for something bigger and better.

[Edited on September 27, 2014 at 4:11 PM. Reason : edit]

9/27/2014 4:09:50 PM

Just when I think the bowling alley couldn't look more junky, they do something to one-up themselves.

9/27/2014 4:59:04 PM

did they do something worse than the balconies?

9/27/2014 5:02:42 PM

window canopies and bonus advertising banners!

9/27/2014 5:39:27 PM

wow. wow.

9/27/2014 5:58:59 PM

^^Agreed. Drove down Hillsborough for the first time since 2012 today (was in town for the football game) and the bowling alley looks absurd with those banners (to say nothing of the multicolored panels and balconies). Bad and worse.

On the bright side, it does look like they're adding a lot of density, though I do worry about the "canyonization" of the block in between Friendly and Concord. The new construction there looks rather tall from the point of a passer-by. Also the renovations to the old Nehi plant look great! Is there a tenant lined up?

Quote :

"I would probably keep the distinctive modern building between Wolf Mart and SECU, but other than that, I concur with your list. Evidently that building is somewhat significant?"

Yeah, that one should stay too. I tend to forget about it since it kind of blends into the scenery there but it is a good building.

9/28/2014 8:26:17 PM

the bowling alley is probably the ugliest building on Hillsborough street regardless of what they add to it.

9/28/2014 9:19:27 PM

So are the owners of the Alley just doing this to piss people off at this point?

9/28/2014 9:57:39 PM

i went to high school with the owners... i am pretty sure they are doing well... they expanded and opened an alley in charleston as well.

9/28/2014 10:21:46 PM

reg. the Alley. I don't so much mind gaudy things on Hillsborough, to an extent. What I do mind is something that looks shoddy which was always my impression of the balconies. I mean, the balconies are a good idea, but the exposed bolts look so temporary, somehow.

9/29/2014 10:43:31 AM

when the first one went up, i thought for sure it was temporary while they fabricated a railing that actually matched the architecture

9/29/2014 11:11:54 AM

With The Alley having so much room up by the bar, I wish they'd put some money in totally refurbish that more than anything. Tons of ugly, wasted space up there. If they put some real money into that to expand the bar area, and clean up the exterior it'd be a really solid place. Other than putting flat screen TV's in, it doesn't look like they've touched it in 20+ years.

Everything from EV over to the SECU can/needs to be torn down. Especially with the street itself getting redeveloped.

[Edited on September 29, 2014 at 12:42 PM. Reason : TBDV]

9/29/2014 12:40:32 PM

Why stop at SECU? The Gumby's etc. bulding is just as bad. Crappy former Eckerd. Man-Mur itself may be an institution but their building sucks; move them temporarily while something better is built. And the Baptist Student Union may be the worst building on Hillsborough street (where is the picture of it ready to devour pedestrians?)

Hillsborough Building isn't any better but the University is going to do with that as they please.

9/30/2014 12:57:19 AM

Ah yes, I forgot to mention the Hillsborough Building. It is not an absolutely fantastic piece of architecture IMO but it is a decent institutional structure. Not being an architecture expert myself I can't say for sure, but to me the way it blends traditional brick material and construction methods with modern architectural details places it in the same era and category as the Nehi Bottling Co, the Royal Bakery, and the Alsco linen services, meaning that it is in good company on Hillsborough and probably warrants being kept.

NCSU has plenty of other space (read: parking lots) on Hillsborough that they should be completely occupied with redevelopment for some time yet.

9/30/2014 12:24:45 PM

i wish that SECU wasn't there so that the building behind it was exposed to the street view. that is an absolutely lovely building but it could use more exposure to daylight, which removing the secu would offer.

not that i'm actually advocating that we do that IRL but in my dream of dreams that's how it'd work.

9/30/2014 12:34:40 PM

1912 Hillsborough which is the parking lot between the Dave's Dumpling and Noodle Bar and the roundabout has a rezoning request under review. The requester is Bell View Partners, the same group building the Aloft. Zoning conditions make it pretty clear that they want to build another hotel there.

11/6/2014 9:09:48 AM

i haven't seen the request yet, are you sure its hotel and not apartments?

11/6/2014 9:17:41 AM

I am the Facilities Liaison on campus for my building, and at our recent meeting they talked about it. I cant remember what they said they were looking to develop there, but it was definitely something. Here are the two slides they had in the presentation (again, I cant remember what they said on them).


And if anyone has any questions about construction around campus, send me a message, chances are I might know. If y'all are interested I can look at posting the full presentation.

11/6/2014 10:07:28 AM

The requested zoning classification is CX-5 (5-story commercial mixed use.)However, most of the other zoning requests on Hillsborough have been for NX- zoning classes (neighborhood mixed use) which is more restrictive. CX- allows lots of uses that are less compatible with residential neighborhoods that are not permitted in NX- such as auto repair, car washes, light manufacturing, nightclubs, and many more. However, the developer has put as a condition of the zoning that they will prohibit everything that is allowed in CX- but not in NX- except for hotels. Everything else about the zoning categories NX- and CX- are identical.

So basically, the only reason for going with CX- instead of the NX- that has been used elsewhere on Hillsborough is to build a hotel. Although, they certainly haven't shut the door on apartments, since apartments are allowed in CX- districts as well. I suppose maybe they haven't decided on a program for the development want to leave their options open.

11/6/2014 11:07:12 AM

i just can't imagine needing more hotel space there, mixed use with retail/dining first floor and apartments above would make more sense

11/6/2014 11:15:55 AM

you should go act foolish at more planning meetings

11/6/2014 11:21:46 AM

It needs a fucking biscuitville.

11/6/2014 11:22:39 AM

Looking at the picture, that roundabout needs a diet. Or more like, it already went on a diet but is still wearing its old fat clothes.

All the asphalt with stripes painted on it that showed up when they got rid of the second lane, should be revised into more sidewalk space.

11/6/2014 1:08:59 PM

They should just put it back to 2 lanes. Whenever I go through there, I try to hit all 3 roundabouts if possible.

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

11/6/2014 1:37:37 PM

i vote for returning it to 2 lanes, and suspending the license of any person who causes a wreck there

11/6/2014 2:01:02 PM

A few months back, was told PR's landlord was not renewing their lease so it's possible they are looking to level what is there and build on the entire space.

11/6/2014 5:19:32 PM

Well shit

11/6/2014 5:30:52 PM

i'm not sure how this tradition started, but PR's takeout was what I ordered anytime I was sick. i wish raleigh takeout still delivered from PR

11/6/2014 6:18:07 PM

fuck raleigh take out. they signed me up for some fucking credit card scam when i ordered from them.

11/6/2014 7:18:59 PM

Barriers went up in front of Two Guys today so I assume demolition is imminent. That'll really be a pain for pedestrians if they keep the sidewalk closed for a long time.

@dbhawley do you know if there are any plans to redevelop Maiden Ln?

11/8/2014 11:47:26 PM

Quote :

"A few months back, was told PR's landlord was not renewing their lease so it's possible they are looking to level what is there and build on the entire space."

11/10/2014 3:18:53 PM

i didn't cry for sadlack's

but i would cry for pr

11/11/2014 10:09:06 AM

I hope someone can look into these PR rumors. Hopefully it's not true

11/11/2014 10:11:25 AM

nothing is sacred anymore. There will be nothing left of memories of Hillsborough Street. Hopefully I can get a couple more Alley cheeseburgers before it's gone forever. and I severely hope the PR rumors aren't true but it wouldn't surprise me.

Quote :

"Murrison, who comes from Pennsylvania and owns a Trolley Pub franchise in downtown Raleigh, acts as revitalization's middleman, alerting developers to potential investment opportunities. Asked about the impact of all the revitalization and construction on existing, successful independent businesses, Murrison dismissed the concerns. "Businesses come and go all the time," he said. "It's part of a natural life cycle. That helps keep a place fresh and interesting. So there are new places to explore and try.""

http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/two-views-of-ever-changing-hillsborough-street/Content?oid=4269289

[Edited on November 11, 2014 at 10:26 AM. Reason : add]

11/11/2014 10:16:49 AM

PR....really? The Alley has a ton of unused space and never puts any money into improving their space - wouldn't be overly upset to see it gone, but PR gone would royally suck.

11/11/2014 5:07:13 PM

Can't wait to try dat CVS

I'm Krallum and I approved this message.

11/11/2014 5:18:25 PM

(if you own student rental property, you need to sell it as soon as you can)

11/11/2014 5:37:18 PM

Quote :

"i wish that SECU wasn't there so that the building behind it was exposed to the street view. that is an absolutely lovely building but it could use more exposure to daylight, which removing the secu would offer. not that i'm actually advocating that we do that IRL but in my dream of dreams that's how it'd work."

Ah yes, the G. Milton Small & Associates building. Incredible modernist/international style office building, but subtle enough that it often doesn't get noticed. It's far enough back from Hillsborough though that it wouldn't have much impact though across a good-sized lot.

Quote :

"A few months back, was told PR's landlord was not renewing their lease so it's possible they are looking to level what is there and build on the entire space."

That's absurd. The PR is one of the few institutions we have left (though it has been in I think three locations in its 50+ year history). And the corner building (Old Darryl's/David's Dumpling) is 100 years old, architecturally distinctive, and a Hillsborough Street landmark (albeit something of a minor one). One would think getting a demolition permit for that would be pretty difficult, with good reason...

11/11/2014 6:52:02 PM

11/11/2014 7:21:28 PM

Oh, don't get me wrong. If PR rumor is true, someone is getting kicked in the taint.

11/11/2014 11:24:50 PM

@jacob0695 I dont remember them saying anything about Maiden Ln. The only other major project they talked about was the Hotel on Centennial. They had one in the works a couple of years back, a 250 room hotel. But there was a bunch of pushback from the local hotel community so they backed off (I dont know the full story). Interesting now since the the university is building the hotel on Hillsborough St, and now the one on centennial.

It will be a Marriott Hotel, 150 rooms and a convention center. They are hoping for the ground breaking by the end of this year, although its not looking good for that.
Here's a picture of the rendering, they are still working on the exact plans

11/12/2014 8:37:13 AM

Two Guys Pizza is no more. The building was demolished yesterday.

11/22/2014 6:40:33 PM

I kind of miss the old Two Guys, when the original (or long-term if not original) owner was still running it and before all the changes. The food may have been average but it was about tradition to me. But that went away more than 5 years ago.

The building? No great loss.

[Edited on November 23, 2014 at 12:46 PM. Reason : d]

11/23/2014 12:46:22 PM

RIP

11/23/2014 1:49:48 PM

I don't understand the appeal of "preserving" nondescript buildings with zero historical significance. I'm not saying we should bulldoze the Parthenon, but who gives a shit if some 40 year old bowling alley or 75 year old bar gets torn down?

[Edited on November 23, 2014 at 3:09 PM. Reason : sdfsdf]

11/23/2014 3:08:45 PM