TOUR STOPS

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STOP 1: North Carolina’s premier fitness clubs dedicated to providing its members a workout environment conducive to achieving optimal health and fitness goals. The newest downtown location in Seaboard Station is offering area residents an inspiring place to get and stay healthy.

STOP 6: 222 Glenwood…the best location in Raleigh, is the smart purchase. Now offering the lowest prices ever! Hurry! Only 3 homes remain! 222 Glenwood announces a $3,000 closing cost incentive for Living Tour participants who register and purchase within a week of the Tour!

STOP 17: Offering unprecedented living in downtown Raleigh’s tallest building. It’s luxury living with all the convenience. Each condo features floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive designer floor plans, 8 ft. tall solid core doors, soaring 10 ft. ceilings, and a large balcony. Also included are assigned parking space with every condo. Only 9 units left. Fannie Mae approved.

STOP 5: Prominently located in the heart of Glenwood South at the intersection of West and North Streets, West offers an unparalleled urban living experience seventeen floors above the energy and vitality of the Triangle's most exciting entertainment district.

Palladium Plaza

STOP 12: This residential building, built to fit within the existing downtown Raleigh streetscape, is located a short walk from City Market and Moore Square park. This 5-story building has 65 condos total; a combination of brownstones, flats, and 2-story condos…each has a unique mixture of contemporary and high end finishes so no two units are alike. Also particular to Palladium Plaza are stoops at the entrances to ground floor units.

The Paramount

STOP 3: At The Paramount, you can experience downtown Raleigh living – from the top. One of Raleigh's premier luxury condo buildings located on the north end of Glenwood South, the Paramount is home to some of the most spectacular condos with impressive downtown skyline views.

Sir Walter Apartments

STOP 13: The Sir Walter Raleigh is downtown Raleigh’s oldest surviving hotel building. It was constructed between 1923 and 1924 during prosperous years following WWI. The 1920’s were sometimes called “Roaring 20’s” or “The Jazz Years”. For over 30 years the hotel was called North Carolina’s “Third House of the Legislature” because it was a focal point for State political activity, especially for the Democratic Party. The hotel was “home” to many legislators, lobbyists, aides, jurors, newspapermen, businessmen and other important people.

Sir Walter got its name from Sir Walter Raleigh, an explorer who helped colonize North Carolina and Virginia. One of the areas he colonized was Roanoke Island. It was in this area that the “Lost Colony” disappeared. The Sir Walter ballroom is named after Virginia Dare, who is said to be the first “English Child” born in the colonies. She was a part of the “Lost Colony”. President Truman has actually stayed at Sir Walter, on the 10th floor, while he was visiting Raleigh for the North Carolina State Fair. The hotel’s importance began to fade in the 1960’s with the completion of the new State Legislative Building (1963).

In 1979, the building was converted into subsidized apartments for senior adults. The Sir Walter Raleigh is a designated Raleigh Historic Landmark.

Blount Street Commons

STOP 21: The downtown Raleigh location is unique in the nation. People already live, work and play in the Commons that is surrounded seamlessly by vibrant historic neighborhoods, William Peace University, the Governor’s Mansion, state offices, courts, museums, restaurants, galleries, a theater and much more.

The rebirth of one of Raleigh’s most historic neighborhoods has begun. Plans for the new Blount Street neighborhood began with a vision focused around integrating 25 historic homes, dating from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, with contemporary ideas in home design and urban living. This vision has given rise to a distinctive neighborhood unlike any other in the United States. Blount Street Commons is set to be a village-style oasis within a bustling downtown environment, offering a variety of home styles nestled among tree-lined streetscapes and inviting green space. Spanning five blocks of the historic district in downtown Raleigh, this exciting neighborhood is a vital part of a growing downtown area.

The Hudson

STOP 16: Formerly home of the downtown Hudson Belk Department store, the building was converted into fabulous condos with concrete floors and deco windows, and high ceilings. Hudson residents share a common area in the lobby and a court yard with tables and chairs, two gas grills…the perfect place for gathering and parties. The owner of this unit loves living in the city with all of its energy and the closeness to so many interesting places.

510 Glenwood

STOP 4: One word: Balcony, balcony, balcony! This residential building was one of the only options for condos. This particular unit stood out because of its large balcony. It has a super layout with a huge laundry room and two and ½ baths, which is rare in condos. A surround sound system was added in the living room and can be played outside on the balcony…a great entertainment feature. The 510 Glenwood community, with only 36 units in the building, makes it really quiet, and the location its location in the Glenwood South district allows great access to restaurants, night life, and many other activities.

The Mahler

STOP 18: The Historic Mahler Building was constructed in 1865 and housed the Mahler and Sons Jewelry Store until early in the 1920s. The Mahler family lived on the top floor and had an eyeglass maker and jewelry repair shop on the second floor. The building was later joined on to the Carolina Trust Building next door and became a part of the McClellan’s Department Store, which operated in some form until 2003. Developers Rory Parnell and Carter Worthy, along with their husbands Jerry Parnell and Tom Hester, purchased the property in 2004 to redevelop into an owner-occupied mixed-use project using the federal tax credit program as one source of financing along with conventional financing by First Citizens Bank. Builder Greg Paul and Architect Meg McLaurin, who had actually been part owners of the property before the sale, teamed up to shepherd the project through the painstaking process of solving the vexing permitting issues, obtaining the tax credit approvals, and fully modernizing the building while still retaining its 19th century charm. The project took over two years to get through permitting due to its unique dimensions, historic character and lack of rear access.  The Mahler Building is now the home of The Mahler Gallery on the first floor, the offices of Carter Worthy Commercial and Hester & Company on the second floor, and two urban loft apartments on the third floor.

Founders Row

STOP 14: These beautiful townhouse-style condominiums are unique in downtown for their Syrian arches, skylights, and 12-foot elliptical windows. This pioneering downtown residential development also features brick courtyards and fountains. This condo features include brand new granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, cabinetry, and bathroom vanities. The two-story floor plan allows for plenty of living space. Their covered balcony overlooking the courtyard with fountain enhances the Tuscan feel. Enjoy a gated community centrally located across the street from City Market and everything else downtown has to offer.

The Cotton Mill

STOP 2: The Cotton Mill was constructed in the late 1800s and used as the loading portal for the rail lines on the building’s east side. Renovated in 1996, is now 50 condominiums and designated as a Raleigh Historic Landmark.

Unit 208 – Renovations throughout the condo, including relocating the staircase from the front of the unit to the back.

515 N Blount Street

STOP 22: The Lewis-Smith home, part of the Blount Street Commons project, was vacant until becoming the sales model for the neighborhood after Gallery C moved into the Russ house on the corner of Peace and Blount Streets. In the summer of 2011, the home was updated with a new bath, fresh paint on the first level, repairs and fresh paint to the façade, and staged furniture on the first floor.

828 E Hargett Street

STOP 20: Within the transitional Thompson-Hunter neighborhood just east of Moore Square, is this 102-year old home which has been meticulously and thoughtfully renovated. The dining room, living room, master bedroom, and kitchen have been revived with classic cottage detailing highlighted by contemporary furnishings, colorful artwork, and creative uses of fabrics, mirrors, and unexpected accessories.

704 E Hargett Street

STOP 19: Originally built in 1910, this 4-square single family home was completely renovated in 2007-2008 to restore its historic beauty.

801 N Bloodworth

STOP 23: The Henry Ivey home, circa 1981. The world is again coming to the historic Oakwood doorstep. Located on a rare double lot, this 1892 Queen Anne vernacular cottage will be soon located a short block away from Escazu Chocolates, Market Restaurant, and other businesses. This home has a wrap-around porch, wide central hallway, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The large kitchen has been updated, keeping an original porcelain sink with practical side drain boards. Most recently remodeled is the master bath, part of a suite that includes a private screened porch overlooking the large side yard.

804 N Bloodworth

STOP 24: Traditional, Craftsman style home built in 2002. The current owners built the house just the way they dreamed of for their family lifestyle. From the welcoming covered porch to the large fenced yard, this home offers beautiful living spaces inside and out. The first floor features 9 foot ceilings, gorgeous hardwood floors, huge kitchen, and family room. The second floor also has 9 foot ceilings, a spacious master suite, and two bedrooms with full bathroom. There is an unfinished 3rd floor roughed in for plumbing and electrical to add onto with a 2nd master bedroom suite and bonus room. All the downspouts lead to a natural garden area for rainwater irrigation.

318 E Davie Street

RETURNING FAVORITE! STOP 15: This house was built circ 1913 as a facility for the Raleigh City Police. It was transformed into a loft-style home by the late J.C. Raulston in the 1980s, but fell into disrepair after 1995. A 2005 renovation respected the geometry of angles and cubes created in the 1980s, but also integrated the formerly outer brick walls with the new interior design. Original oak beams feature prominently throughout the loft space.

422 Cutler Street

STOP 7: Built by the Odham family circa 1914, this house is a simplified late Victorian, with some Colonial Revival elements. The floor plan, front entrance bay, and stained glass window above the entrance on the 2nd floor is Victorian in style, with the Doric porch columns and interior fireplace mantels are Colonial Revival. The staircase and much of the wood work and flooring are original. An unusual feature is the room-sized front hall, which includes a fireplace (one of eight in the house). The front hall easily accommodated the owner four young children whenever anyone would come to the front door…a real draw for their family. The Oldham family retained ownership of the house until 1951, and within a few years it was converted to a rooming house with six bedrooms and three-and-one half bathrooms. The house became the most infamous boarding house in the neighborhood, “Hotel Nicaragua.” It was apparently ground zero for alternative lifestyle in the neighborhood (the origin of the name remains a mystery). The house was purchased by the current owners in 1994 and converted back to a single-family use. Major renovation was completed over the course 2000 including a stunning new kitchen and family room so well executed that they are indistinguishable from the original section. Careful attention was paid to room dimensions, door and window details and mouldings.

315 S Boylan Avenue

STOP 8: Since the owners purchased the home in 1987 from a group of neighbors who banded together to keep it from being divided into apartments, they have added spectacular spaces while sensitively retaining and restoring its original character. This stately 1924 classic Victorian home has three finished floors and a full basement, a living room surrounded by windows and French doors and the dining room opens onto a multi-level deck. The kitchen/breakfast room has a tree-house view of the back yard and the city skyline and also opens onto the multi-level deck. There’s a finished attic big enough for square dances or whatever, a full daylight basement for a workshop, ping pong and much more. The kid and pet friendly.24 acre yard is filled with yellow daffodils and other landscaping.

727 South Boylan Avenue

STOP 10: The owners purchased this house because it was a new house in a historic neighborhood and had been approved by the Raleigh Historic District Commission but construction had not started. As an interior designer, the owner was able to create a contemporary interior using some of Sarah Susanka’s “Not So Big House” concepts such as an open plan with varied ceiling heights and diagonal views for the appearance of larger spaces. This house is also an interesting example of how to display and live with a collection of mid-twentieth century ceramics and furniture. As a fabric artist, the owner appreciates Boylan Heights for its proximity to downtown activities, the active community of artists, and the yearly Artwalk.

601 W Cabarrus Street

STOP 9: Just down the hill from Boylan Heights, the Rosengarten Park neighborhood features homes built in the early 1900s. 601 West Cabarrus is an example of new construction, based on a Sears catalog home from this period. The house has a classic porch and a second-story balcony with a downtown skyline view. Oak floors, large windows, and traditional trim-features give the inside a historic feel while dual-flush toilets, a tankless hot water-heater, and efficient appliances reflect the environmentally-conscious values of new urbanism. The backyard fence surrounds a cozy landscaped patio and a carport that includes an electric vehicle charging station (for a Nissan Leaf).

720 S. East Street

STOP 11: The house is the Charles Haywood house and is on the National Register for Historic Homes. The house has undergone a full rehabilitation including restored original windows, hardwood floors, trim, doors, and hardware. The renovation included fully restored, original double-hung 9 over 1 windows; original oak and pine hardwood floors throughout. Kitchen area includes maple floors that were originally basketball court floors at William and Mary University; original doors and hardware restored throughout; original trim and baseboards used throughout. Full scale structural rehabilitation including jacking to level; removal of termite damage; reconstruction and supporting of floor systems, raising ceiling in 2nd floor by over one foot. Full restoration of all exterior woodwork including unique craftsman details.