True. That Googie awning would be an easy pastiche to add, particularly if CharGrill is relocated to the Hillsborough and Boylan corner.
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When can we see the design
When the designers publish it.
The rezoning isnāt even discussed yet. Weāre still a ways off.
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Looks like the Char Grill owners are in favor of the new development here. Citing specifically the ability to better serve their customers in a newer space. I know the nostalgia of walking up to the counter holds a special place in peopleās hearts, and there will be lots that lament the loss of that. However, an improved Char Grill might be a win win for everyone? Just my $0.02
As for Char-Grillās Co-owner, Ryon Wilder, he sees the new building as an opportunity.
āWe could better serve our customers with a more upgraded facility than we have now,ā Wilder said.
Developers have promised to bring Char-Grill back and make it their first tenant.
āWe want to stay in downtown Raleigh,ā Wilder said. āWeāve been there for 47 years and we plan on being there many, many more.ā
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Iām hoping for a nice indoor/outdoor mix. Has anyone had PTās in Wilmington? I actually really like that place and surprised no one brings up PTs when they talk burgers in NC. Those shops have a walk-up outdoor window and a bar/counter inside. Iām into it.
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The big sign and awning (kept or recreated) would be an awesome addition to the side of a new building. I just hope the new Char Grill keeps the old/grimy feel.
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I am thinking the iconic awning should inspire the roof design. Imagine a rooftop bar with that as ceiling/crown of this tower.
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Iād love for it to stay at ground level (in my hypothetical dream world where they actually preserve/repurpose the awning)! A large part of the appeal in its current form is that itās something that adds to the pedestrian experience, and if repurposed it could break a tower down to a human scale. One of the things you learn early on in design school is that the vast majority of people donāt even look up beyond the first couple of floors of a building.
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Letās have both!!
Agreed, that having this design on the street level is priority one. But it would be a very cool motif to pick up and use through out the rest of the way through the building.
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As a hardcore Yimby this is how you take the wind out of the nimby wind sails ! For you folks who are not Raleigh natives Char grill love it or hate it is a Raleigh treasure, and when you have the owner come out and support this its key to support and counter any nimby motivation or uprising, Things change we can still keep some of the vibe and history of Char grill ! But we can also capture new folks who move here and donāt know about this history or character of this place or frankly donāt think itās all that lol, but seriously this is how you do it Im very concerned about a nimby wave from a lack of Yimby hard chargers here in Raleigh donāt let these folks or nimby hordes take this city in November !
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Maybe keep some of the old design of the diamond like shape in the outside of building on their part of the this new development. They can bill it as same look, new place.
From the same story:
The Elmwood house was built more than 200 years ago. Owner William Little and his family have memories there spanning a century.
āIt means a great deal to me, it has for a long, long time,ā Little said.
But Little said heās concerned about the long-term preservation of the home as Raleighās growth booms.
āThe neighborhood has changed especially in the past five to 10 years,ā Little said.
Developers plan to move the home to a new location that has yet to be determined.
Regardless, Little said he wants the move to protect the house for decades to come.
āItās also the opportunity to relocate Elmwood to where it will last for another 200 years,ā Little said.
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I personally hope Char Grill keeps the badass taste of the food. This is by far the best Char Grill in the triangle. I wish they were all as good as this one (Edwards Mill location is close).
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You guys were making me crave some Char Grill so we had this for dinner last night. This place really does have so much characterā¦and good food.
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Replicating the curved roof, the aluminum trim and the black paneled details into the building design could be really cool and break our current design rut.
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I suggested they could incorporate it into the new design on the outside of the new development.
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A more in-depth look at all the properties in the upcoming char grill rezoning.
https://dtraleigh.com/2022/07/a-walk-around-the-char-grill-block/
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In your story, I completely agree that the char grill needs a walk-up and outdoor seating. I want them to keep the iconic slide-the-paper order-through-the-slot action.
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That is how my kids know what Char Grill is!!! The place where you write down your order and slide it through the window. 
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I am glad to see you mentioned Elmwood being the real issue here and that I and @dbearhugnc arenāt the only two. Nice piece, I always enjoy your posts.
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