What's Up with the Skyline Raleigh? (Charlotte, Durham: transplants, condos, chapel)

[rb5200]

I am considering moving from the DC area to the southeast, either Atlanta, Charlotte, or Raleigh. I have family in Raleigh and have visited a few times but whats with the skyline? With all the transplants moving in, there should be some serious additions to the skyline as more money is within the city.

I am torn between these three cities listed above, and Raleigh has so much to offer but that "big city" feel. Are there any plans for more construction downtown?

Maybe people preffer the small town feel-

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by rb5200

I am considering moving from the DC area to the southeast, either Atlanta, Charlotte, or Raleigh. I have family in Raleigh and have visited a few times but whats with the skyline? With all the transplants moving in, there should be some serious additions to the skyline as more money is within the city.

I am torn between these three cities listed above, and Raleigh has so much to offer but that "big city" feel. Are there any plans for more construction downtown?

Maybe people preffer the small town feel-

Tons more plans...

http://raleighskyline.com/content/20...leigh-skyline/ for pictures.

The site in general has information on the new constructions and proposed future plans.

[MrsSteel]

RB, the lack of a real downtown skyline was a shock to me, too. I think the reason why you don't find highrises downtown is because the industries have been spread out so much. Afterall, what should be the center of business? Chapel Hill? Durham? Raleigh? RTP? There is no real center to this area. But I don't see this as a big problem. True, there is no quintessential skyline view that you can place on a postcard and impress the people back home. But the people are great and the scenery is beautiful. And that's what really counts.

[RaleighRob]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Tons more plans...

http://raleighskyline.com/content/20...leigh-skyline/ for pictures.

The site in general has information on the new constructions and proposed future plans.

That rendering of the new buildings is pretty cool. Some of those are already under construction. So it's only a matter of time.

[rb5200]

Its nice to know someone else sees the same thing. The metro area is very spread out indeed but like you said where is the hub and what could you put on a postcard? It seems like Atlanta is the only southern city that can compete with what I am use to in the NorthEast (excluding D.C.).

After all, the first thing you see when you google a city is images of its skyline. Raleigh will one day have a solid skyline, we hope.

[RaleighRob]

Do also keep in mind for the longest time (before RTP really took off with technology and all that), that Raleigh's main existence as a city was based on two things:
1) State Capital
2) University

Neither of which are "industries with skyscapers" if you know what I mean. As someone who lived in DC, I think you do.

(Similarly, Durham's lack of much of a skyline is for similar historical reasons, except replace #1 with "factory city" and you get the same idea.)

[rb5200]

Originally Posted by RaleighRob

Do also keep in mind for the longest time (before RTP really took off with technology and all that), that Raleigh's main existence as a city was based on two things:
1) State Capital
2) University

Neither of which are "industries with skyscapers" if you know what I mean. As someone who lived in DC, I think you do.

(Similarly, Durham's lack of much of a skyline is for similar historical reasons, except replace #1 with "factory city" and you get the same idea.)

LOL RaleighRob, I guess I shouldnt complain about skylines when Washington's skyline or "The Lone Monument" has been in my face all these years. Good point!

[red5ive]

[quote=MrsSteel;509319] I think the reason why you don't find highrises downtown is because the industries have been spread out so much. Afterall, what should be the center of business? Chapel Hill? Durham? Raleigh? RTP? QUOTE]

I agree. Everything is spread out across the area. Even the Soleil Center, the coolest of all the new building being built, won't be downtown but next to Crabtree. Sort of a shame.

If you are looking for a good skyline in NC, you'll have to head to Charlotte where B of A and Wachovia are driving the growth.

[MrsBTA]

But the plus side of being spread out is that it helps make traffic here so much better than the big cities, where everyone is converging on the same downtown area every morning.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Everything is spread out across the area. Even the Soleil Center, the coolest of all the new building being built, won't be downtown but next to Crabtree. Sort of a shame.

I agree 100%. A high Rise building like the Soleil Center really doesn't belong outside of Downtown Raleigh. I really hope the city planners don't continue this trend or we are bound to suffer the same consequences as Atlanta.

FWIW, I remember back when I was getting ready to graduate from college (1998) two of my roomates went down to Charlotte to interview for jobs. When they returned, my one roomate who was always a wise guy constantly refered to Charlotte as "Tall Town". When I asked him why he called Charlotte that he explained that Charlotte only appeared to have one tall building downtown. Fastforward 9 years and look at Charlotte now. I have always felt that downtown Raleigh is about 5-10 years behind the growth and development of downtown Charlotte. When you go through Downtown Raleigh these days the number of large cranes set up to build new condos and other development is amazing. Downtown Raleigh isn't there yet, but it will look a whole lot different in about 10 years.