Category / Just For Fun

by Leo Suarez

Leisure Aquatic Features Coming to Downtown [UPDATE: 6-11-08]

It’s been a slow news week but RalCon strives to keep posting as much as possible. Pictures have massively been lacking but we can make it through the slump. Some travel plans over this summer have pushed back my purchase of a new camera. Once I get it, you’ll be begging for me to stop posting pictures. Until then we can still discuss other topics.

Summer is here and you can start to really feel the heat. This only means that it is time to relax from all of that stress at work by chilling next to a pool.(besides relaxing by reading a RalCon post while at work, right?) I hope most of you like to hang out by a pool as much as I do but this amenity is hard to come by when being in downtown. I decided to go through a running list of the aquatic features currently open or being built downtown.

RBC Plaza

Up high on the 23rd floor, this pool should be a very cool feature for people living in RBC Centura’s national HQ’s building. Tenants on the south side of the building will be able to look over their balconies at people getting or trying to get tan. High diving from your balcony is not recommended. Coming summer of 2008.

The Tucker

With the lower priced condos at this Glenwood South project, the pool will be covered with kids out of college, enjoying life out of school and less responsibility on the weekends. I may have too much fun if I lived here with a pool and Glenwood down the street. Coming summer of 2009.

West at North

Another Glenwood South project. This pool is 16 stories up above; you guessed it, West and North Street. Even though I vote this building to have the most unoriginal name in downtown, it earns pretty high marks and I’m excited about it being built. This may be the hardest pool to get to, if you do not know someone living there. Anyone? Coming late 2008

The Paramount
I have always had a hard time finding any information about the Paramount. The high prices just don’t work with me, I guess that is what it is. Anyway, I have to link it over to Raleighing for a tour of the building and pics of their pool.

The Lafayette Boutique Hotel

I have not found any concrete plans for this building or the rooftop bar/restaurant planned for this high-rise hotel. The pool is rumored to be a part of it and this rendering came out sometime last year. I think it will easily have the best view of Raleigh……if it ever gets built.

The Raleigh Municipal Fountain

This little oasis is probably the most accessible of them all and is downtown’s only hot tub. Some have criticized its small size but it is not the size of the pool that matters. It’s the rushing waterfall that massages out my arms from lifting too many pints at the flying saucer. Open daily.

[UPDATE: 10-18-07]
The Hue

This cozy little pool will be wrapped on three sides by 7 floors of condos. To finish it of is a nice parking deck. Oh well, better than nothing.

[UPDATE: 6-11-08]

222 Glenwood

This post is just plain fun to update. Here is a new image from the 222 Glenwood pool. It looks pretty slick and the squares on the parking deck wall are a nice touch.

Thanks, Ashton!

by Leo Suarez

Untapped Resource: Halifax Mall

The government complex is a part of downtown whether we like it or not. The whole area becomes a ghost town at night and you can hear a pin drop on the weekends. However, within this black hole there is a true gem. Halifax Mall is the large grassy field in the middle of all the government buildings and it needs a little love on the weekends.

I took a walk around there this past Saturday and there is plenty of green space for some sports action. The weather was great for a game of football, soccer, or whatever sport you prefer. Maybe I just came at a bad time, but 2:00 pm seemed like an ideal time for people to show. The grass is certainly greener then your yard and the views are pretty cool. There are benches, water fountains, and plenty of parking. There is just no human presence.

Maybe I’ll organize a RalCon soccer game and we can play here. Who’s in?

by Leo Suarez

St. Paddy’s Day in DTR

The St. Patrick’s Day events this past Saturday were very entertaining. The temperature was great but some rain in the late afternoon made it quite ‘salty’ outside. I was out all day and was able to see most that downtown had to offer. Today is officially the day but anyone would have been convinced that Saturday was it. I’ll see you at the pub tonight!


2008 Downtown Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade from Leo on Vimeo.
by Leo Suarez

Murals In Downtown

Do you like murals? Downtown Raleigh has a couple that most visitors overlook. I want to highlight them so that next time you are close, you might remember to walk a block over and take a look at the cool building art. Click on the pics below to get a larger view and go here for a map.

Two Butterflies

You can find the two huge butterflies plastered on a white wall across the street from Café Luna and Marbles Museum. Head toward the intersection of Blount and Hargett St. to see it.

Lincoln in a Lincoln

It is very appropriate for this mural of Abe in a Lincoln car to be on the side of Lincoln Theatre. Drive safe and twist that rubber neck of yours to the right when driving on Wilmington St. before Cabaruss St.

Johnson St. mural

I’m not quite sure how to name this one. I guess it is open for your interpretation. You can find this one on Johnson St, across from Hi 5.

Farmer’s Market

This mural on the edge of City Market looks like a tribute to the farmer’s market. Notice the faces drawn into the fruits and vegetables. Go to the lot at the intersection of Davie and Person St.

Last, I want to show a spot that I think needs a mural. It is the 222 Glenwood parking deck. The blank wall facing Jones St. desperately needs some color.