Sure. It’s more my thing, I dislike these huge car-centric “mouths” in the front of a building or house. That entrance is 3 lanes wide so easily noticeable. The area certainly feels great, been to Jack Tar recently, loved it, but Unscipted’s street presence could be even better if that wide sidewalk continued. I don’t know the ins and outs of that parking deck but with an entrance on the side, why is this needed?
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Is it not also the check in lanes for the Hotel? Kind of hard to tell for sure though…
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For sure, completely agree. But this is a relic of 1960s priorities. The parking garage was actually a modern feature that was advertised in its marketing materials, and a sky bridge used to connect to the Washington Duke Hotel… because who needs activity on the street level when the future was driving to and parking at your destination?
The recent renovation had a very light touch and didn’t really modify the exterior.
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Only hobos, bums and ne’er-do-wells would be caught on the streets.
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I stay over at the Durham Hotel about every three weeks and I believe that’s the only entrance for the parking deck as there’s an exit (or service entrance/exit?) on the side facing the Durham but I don’t remember. I’ll check it out next week. 
I wonder how much of it is dictated by what was there before the building was turned into the unscripted but 3 lanes does feel excessive.
EDIT: ty for the old-time JackTar picture answering my question @elevatoroperator
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They’ve been getting some work done on this place! On the west side of the property there’s going to be a nice courtyard and if you can see in the windows it’s looking nice!
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An ASR for the deli just hit the wire.
ISH Delicatessen
“Demolition of existing building and parking area. Construction of a two-story building, driveway, amenity area and planting. Uses in the building are restaurant. Gross area for the building is 5,633 SF.”
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interview on podcast raleigh with the developer.
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A picture of the Longleaf Lounge on LODEN Properties’ Instagram account (@lodenproperties). Looks cool!
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Nice! I forgot to include this hotel in my list of boutique hotels in DTR, but this image definitely lands them in the running!
Guest House
Montford Hall
Longleaf
The STORE
I like it.
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Listened to the podcast while eating lunch. It’s interesting to hear the narrative that Raleigh doesn’t have more “cool” hotels because it doesn’t have a a supply of vacant old buildings to convert. Russ claims that Durham has those hotels because it was opportunistic based on a supply of old vacant buildings.
Also, it was interesting that they are shifting the term from boutique to independent hotels, since large global brands have their own boutique offerings now, and the word has lost its meaning.
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“Craft Hotels” 
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That’s another term that’s gotten highjacked by big brands too! Everyone has a “craft” beer or cocktail, or…
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This forum is a craft skyscraper/development site…
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And ‘artesan’ gets way overuse as well.
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Yep. They are all over used.
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If they are going to attract a boutique crowd they need to raise the pay of the positions that are posted on the job forums. Ridiculously low.
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I really wanted Velvet Cloak Inn (RIP) to reopen as a boutique/indy hotel. There’s always the Sir Walter building but that’s a sensitive subject.
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