May the optimist in all of us rejoice, ever so slightly…
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With first floor retail… 
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Lame. This is the site of some of the only interesting business on South St and to kick them out sucks.
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Good that whole spot could use a face-lift.
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That’s good at least. Night Rider/Wicked Witch are one of the few dives that we have left, so it would still a bummer if they are forced out.
I have a lot of conflicting feelings that I won’t get into at this time about the direction of Raleigh’s development downtown and who it caters to. I hope this remodel doesn’t contribute to where I think that direction is headed.
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Yeah, and it looks like they’re going to be pricey spaces. I also really hope some of these places can stay and thrive.
~$6000 a month rent for 2000 sq ft. That’s a lot of tattoos, juices, well drinks, etc.
This is not even really a highest best use for this corner, but in my mind it is an improvement. Sorry wicked witch and night rider. Although I am also fine if they stay. This building could definitely use a face lift. Especially with all the new apartments coming etc. It honestly just makes sense from a business perspective.
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I noticed that they mowed the empty hole in the ground at the corner of South and Saunders. Looks like maybe new survey markers in there too? Any chance this means there will be movement soon on that building?
OMG I hope so. We go to Vault regularly and I hate this hole maybe even more than Heritage Park.
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The ASR is approved (big deal) and building permits are being processed. So far there have been a couple of failed submissions, but I’m hoping we’ll see something soonish. I am not joking when I say I have been waiting 8 years for this…
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A 5 over 1? What a surprise.
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It shouldn’t be a surprise. It was posted earlier in the thread. 
I just want to understand if that is indeed what is still planned here. Honestly when it’s been an eyesore all this time after several projects fell apart, I don’t really care what they build.
This is the lot currently:
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5 over 1 is actually appropriate for this location.
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Apparently you have go out a bit more from DT proper to get a 20 story tower, huh? While I’m not saying that 20 stories needs to go here, I’d like to see better buildings get built.
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See, this is exactly what me and others were saying in the density chat. There seems to be this 20 story building everywhere or nothing mentality with every new development proposal.
Oklahoma City’s skyline looks disappointing because they have scattered skyscrapers amongst small buildings under 5-10 stories. Having height diversity is what makes a skyline memorable and expansive.
You also don’t get small retail from large towers.
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The ”5 over 1” form of building can be 5 over 2 since the Type 1 concrete building base before 5 stories of framing begins can be high enough to contain two levels (parking or floors) or one vaulted 20+ foot commercial level.
Facade elevation above has a 7-story look. Seems like appropriate massing for this location. Type of construction will also allow lower rents than high-rise construction.
An improvement on what was originally planned both aesthetically and functionally.
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I literally said that 20 stories didn’t need to go there, but I would still like a product that’s better than a 5 over 1.
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