Sir Walter was super busy. I think some of the offices there must have had some meetups after work. I have to say that one thing that I think is a major plus for Sir Walter is the outdoor seating. When you look at Haymaker or Rye Bar across the street, there really isn’t much street activation. With Sir Walter, it gives this feeling that this is a busier section of Fayetteville St. I’m sure it does well for an impression of people staying at the Marriott across the street. There’s one more empty restaurant space across from Sir Walter (Click here).
Just need to work on the City Plaza side.
I added a photo on the right from the other day when Sir Walter wasn’t as busy. I put it there so you can imagine what it may have looked like tonight with the first 2 photos.
This second hand Lego store is apparently revealing their opening date tomorrow. Definitely nice to have retail and something actually unique open up on Fayetteville St.
Hope they thrive and inspire some more retail on Fayetteville St!
5,400 SF is no small tenant, I wonder if the space could be broken up into 2 units.
Social clubs in general are a tough business model these days. Gen X and below generally join fewer clubs, group social organizations, etc.
I went up there for a birthday party a couple years ago. It was pretty nice!
Loved the space. Was just there for an event last month for NCSU’s homecoming. Left wishing that the restaurant there was open to non-members.
Glad to see Highwoods has another tenant lined up, but it’s a bummer that it won’t be available any longer unless you work for that firm.
I wonder if it just comes across as too bougie for people. Most people seem to dress casual so going to a place where it seems like you need to always be highly dressed is probably the killer. I could understand dressing up for a fancy dinner.
From the site:
“Introducing City Exchange – our exclusive membership program at City Club Raleigh. Enjoy a unique twist on traditional dues: $225 monthly payment equals $225 in dining credit. Use your credit for dinners, business lunches, date nights, cocktail hours, and more.”
It doesn’t seem that this is too out of reach.
I must have missed it, who does Highwoods have lined up to take the space?
I’ve always thought something like this would absolutely crush in DTR. Social Club & Event Venue | Common House I think this would work better with the younger downtown demographics than City Club did.
Here are some more to expand your example:
Obviously Raleigh just hasn’t “arrived” yet to have this sort of social club survive. Try again Raleigh in a few years.
as for this City Club closing I think it is just a club not evolving to changing needs of its members and potential members. Charlotte’s City Club went through some radical changes but it seems to be working great now. The pool of potential members is just larger in uptown Charlotte than in downtown Raleigh. But I don’t think it is indictment on downtown vitality. It sounds like a law firm is immediately taking over those 2 floors at the top the building. Here is what happened at the City Club in Charlotte. https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/08/28/charlotte-city-club-nc
Honestly if you never saw one of their ads (including Offline, lol) would you even know it was there? I think the Downtown Men’s Club is one of those old institutions that is just going away and honestly that’s probably fine and doesn’t mean anything else. If you want somewhere to get away from your family just join a country club.
Or just go to Pure Gold or Teasers
Law firm already in the building is expanding to take over these 2 floors.
i worked in the floor below whatever it was in the late 90s…waiters and staff were always nice when I met them
Was out for First Friday last night, a few blocks of Fayetteville St were really activated, gave NYC vibes for a minute. Lots of people out and about, could hear the buzz of people talking, music playing from Hargett St, along with the nice Christmas decorations.
Maybe I was caught up in the moment but it’s probably the most activated I’ve seen the Fayetteville St corridor since I moved to Raleigh in 2017. The efforts put into the area are paying off, at least on a Friday night. Still work to do during the work days, but progress is progress.