Downtown Raleigh exists at the heart of the Triangle, the mostly rapidly expanding metropolitan region in the Carolinas. The urban center of the region, downtown is undoubtedly an amazing place to live, work, and play for businesses, residents and visitors alike.

History of Downtown Raleigh

Raleigh is one of the rare cities in the United States specifically planned and built to house the state capital. No town or city existed on the site prior to its’ appointment as capital in 1788 and establishment in 1792 as both the new county seat and the new state capital. The site was selected as being less than ten miles from Isaac Hunter's Tavern, which was apparently appealing to the founding legislators. At the time of establishment in November 1792 , it was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, sponsor of the Colony of Roanoke, also known as the "Lost Colony" (present-day Fort Raleigh National Historic Site).

The North Carolina General Assembly convened for the first time in Raleigh in December 1794; and by the following year, granted the city an official charter, with a board of seven publicly-appointed commissioners to begin in 1803. An "Intendant of Police" (later to be termed "Mayor") was to govern it, with the first to take this office being John Haywood. Raleigh rapidly developed as a center of banking and transportation. The city survived with little damage from the Civil War, but grew quite slowly from its original size until the addition of streetcar lines in the 1920s.

Downtown Raleigh Today

The Livable Streets Strategic Plan for Downtown Raleigh has stimulated the two billion dollars in developments presently slated for Downtown Raleigh. The Livable Streets plan emphasized a ‘5 in 5’ strategy for Downtown Raleigh that encompassed five development goals with a completion date of 2008. The goals include a Fayetteville Street Renaissance, a new Convention Center and Hotel, and regulatory reform issues to assist in streamlining the Downtown Raleigh development process. Also of great significance to the city and its legacy is the number of historic preservation projects currently in progress to restore the downtown area.

Currently, downtown Raleigh is comprised of approximately six million square feet of commercial office space concentrated in the Fayetteville Street District, fifty-percent of which is multi-tenant. The space boasts a booming occupancy rate of around ninety percent. The Livable Streets process has resulted in the plans for four new mixed-use commercial office towers and three new hotels.

There are also over 5,250 apartments, condominiums, town homes and single family homes downtown, plus another 2,640 units already planned or under construction. Over 15,000 residents are located within a one mile radius and 85,660 residents within a three-mile radius of Downtown Raleigh. Whether by a high-end residential condo with a city-encompassing view, or a rental apartment, one can find a multitude of opportunities to enjoy modern urban living.

Residents luxuriate in the proximity to restaurants and nightlife, a walking commute to work, and access to other amenities without the need for automobiles. A variety of dining options can found in the approximately 130 bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, a number which will only increase as the population continues to soar. The last three years have brought with them the openings of more than a dozen new establishments each year, including a grocer and services such as cleaners and repair shops. Recreational opportunities abound in this area, such as the cherished Moore and Nash Squares parks, as well as several other parks in the surrounding neighborhoods. Three private fitness clubs are located in the downtown area, and, located one-half mile west of the neighborhood is a YMCA.

A Glimpse of Downtown Raleigh Amenities

blue lotus
Yoga and movement arts studio, offering range of classes for all levels.
401-105 N West Street
919.831.2583
www.bluelotusnc.com

Capital City Grocery
10 W Edenton Street
919.821.4100

City Mart
335 S Wilmington Street

CU Fitness
Specialists in workout design.
408 Hillsborough Street
919.838.8966
www.cufitness.com

Iatria Day Spa and Health Center
Full Service Day Spa with Massage, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures and Body Treatments.
150 E Davie Street
919.841.0043
www.iatria.com

Peak Fitness
PEAK FITNESS has separated themselves from other fitness center chains by its unique and unparalleled blend of all
types of fitness.
509 W Jones Street
919.834.8400
www.peakfitnessclubs.com

Powerhouse Fitness Center
Raleigh’s last and longest running- 30yrs and still going with same owner- “Old School” gym
410 W Davie Street
919.833.4940

Spa Boudoir
Personalized skin care in an intimate setting.
304 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 11
919.325.9137
www.spa-boudoir.com