Soleil Center

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Looks like the Soleil Center project has been scaled back to just be a Westin Hotel for now as a result of the credit crunch and down economy. They do have the option of adding the condos after the fact if things turn around (the existing foundation is designed to support a project of the original plan size).

"Soleil Group now wants to build the tower in two phases, starting with a 300-room Westin Hotel, engineering the option to top the hotel with luxury condos once home sales rebound."

Source: newsobserver.com | Developer scales back Soleil Center (http://www.newsobserver.com/100/story/1328027.html - broken link)

I have mixed feelings about this project. On the one hand I find the continued development within a flood prone area both foolish and environmentally irresponsible. On the other, this looked like a top notch project with a cool design. I still have some reservations such a project outside the perimeter of downtown Raleigh, but in light of the recent update to the City of Raleigh Comprehensive Plan I understand that the development of multiple urban high density areas is part of the overall plan. Only time will tell what the final result will be for this particular project.

[chuckreis]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

Looks like the Soleil Center project has been scaled back to just be a Westin Hotel for now as a result of the credit crunch and down economy. They do have the option of adding the condos after the fact if things turn around (the existing foundation is designed to support a project of the original plan size).

"Soleil Group now wants to build the tower in two phases, starting with a 300-room Westin Hotel, engineering the option to top the hotel with luxury condos once home sales rebound."

Source: newsobserver.com | Developer scales back Soleil Center (http://www.newsobserver.com/100/story/1328027.html - broken link)

I have mixed feelings about this project. On the one hand I find the continued development within a flood prone area both foolish and environmentally irresponsible. On the other, this looked like a top notch project with a cool design. I still have some reservations such a project outside the perimeter of downtown Raleigh, but in light of the recent update to the City of Raleigh Comprehensive Plan I understand that the development of multiple urban high density areas is part of the overall plan. Only time will tell what the final result will be for this particular project.

Thanks for posting the link.

I was up in the air about my feelings on the project also. 43 stories in that area was always overkill to me. Now a 18 story hotel, I could get behind. I still do not understand the lack of development near the RBC Center, which is where I think a Soliel Center type project would do well.