by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, Peace Street Townes Rises (8/10)

title
This is part 8 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

While the groundbreaking of these 18 townhomes was back in November of 2013, the project needed a little sun to grow out of the ground. A lot of foundation work took place at Peace Street Townes over the last few months and it looks like now the homes are being put together.

The Blount Street Commons vision is slowly coming together and the vast open areas to the east of the government complex are slowly filling in. It’s nice to see some homes for sale in the area as the rental market is so dominant right now.

by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, Elan Apartments Taking Shape (7/10)

Elan Apartments under construction
This is part 7 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

Another long running project, Blount Street Commons seems to deliver here and there. To the best of my knowledge, this nameless apartment project, owned by Elan Raleigh Property LLC, has been coming together at the corner of Wilmington and Polk Street since about November of 2013.

The four-story parking deck is pretty much done and the units are being put together around it. You can see units being built along Wilmington, Polk, and the new mid-block street John Haywood Way. Parking deck entrances are along both John Haywood Way and Wilmington Street, kind of around the bump out where the street starts to swerve down to Peace Street.

Elan Apartments under construction

Unless I’m missing something, this project does not appear on the city’s development sites. Unless it’s “tucked” under some greater Blount Street Commons plan, which is on the city’s website, then that may be how it exists. The State or nearby William Peace University could be players but I have nothing to prove that.

by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, The Edison Apartments Itching to Break Ground (6/10)

Future Edison Apartment Building
This is part 6 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

Both the Triangle Business Journal and The News & Observer have reported that this week, The Edison Apartments will begin construction.

A part of the The Edison project overall, The Edison Apartments are a complimentary project to Skyhouse Raleigh which sits on the same block. With 239 units and over 18,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, this project will dramatically change the look and feel of East Davie Street.

Before the apartments can be built, demolition must take place. Some of the older brick buildings along Davie and Wilmington Street, dating to the early part of the 20th century need to come down to make way for the newer construction.

by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, Skyhouse Topping Out (5/10)

Skyhouse Raleigh under construction
This is part 5 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

A project that probably doesn’t require an introduction, the 230-unit Skyhouse Raleigh tower is close to topping out. If you look very closely, you can see the construction starting to “crown up” at the top.

Similar to towers by the same name in other cities, I even took photos of Skyhouse Atlanta for the Raleigh Public Record, Skyhouse Raleigh will stand at 23 floors at the corner of Martin and Blount Streets.

That entire block is dubbed The Edison, a multi-building vision that will include residential and office projects.

by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, Scaffolding is Down at The Devon (4/10)

The Devon 425
This is part 4 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

We haven’t looked at The Devon Apartments, formerly called 425 Boylan, for almost a year and a half. The scaffolding is down now and we can really see what this project looks like.

First, let’s get the naming straight. Taking a look at The Devon website, the new apartment building is being billed as The Devon 425 while its mate across the street, 712 Tucker, is called The Devon 712. I was told that the two apartment buildings will actually share amenities since they are all under the same company.

Construction was slower compared to other projects but there’s a lot of concrete compared to wood framing in The Devon 425. There will be a total of 250 apartments consisting of studio, 1 and 2 bedroom units.

Between the two Devon projects and the units nearby at St. Mary’s Square, this could be one of the most urban residential areas in the city. If you include the entire district as a whole, Glenwood South is turning into urban Raleigh’s place to live.

by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, The Link Apartments Dig in on West Street (3/10)

The Link Apartments construction site
This is part 3 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

It’s just a hole right now but not for long. The Link Apartments will bring 200 units between West and Harrington Streets along the north side of Jones Street. For the last few years, there have always been multiple residential projects under construction in Glenwood South. Unique about The Link, they brings options to the east side of the district.

What was once called Powerhouse Plaza, plans for an 11-story mixed-use tower were changed to meet the huge demand for rentals and that’s where we are today.

by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, The L Apartments Showing Wood (2/10)

The L Apartments under construction
This is part 2 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

A project that can be traced all the way back to 2007, The L building is filling in the empty lot around the Wake County Parking Deck at the corner of McDowell and Davie Street. For a history, jump back to earlier posts tagged The L.

Starting off slow to the year but picking up the pace, you can see the apartment units being put together. There will be around 80 total units above 8,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.

by Leo Suarez

Crash of the Resident Wave, Introduction (1/10)

Construction at The Lincoln
This is part 1 of a 10 post series, rolled out all week, on residential projects in downtown Raleigh. Go here to see all the posts so far.

If you follow the news, this blog, and watch all the construction happening you may notice an ongoing theme. Residential projects are mushrooming in downtown Raleigh!

I had to take a step back and list them out in order to really get a feel for how much is going on. In recent history, it’s always felt like the list of “What’s coming” is longer than the list of “What’s being built.” Currently, downtown Raleigh is in the exact opposite situation.

Throughout the week, expect some short posts on nothing but residential projects. I’ll then end the week with projects that are coming soon.

For those that haven’t been following as closely, the result of these residential projects, a majority being rental apartments, is part of a national trend. Demographic preferences, a more mobile workforce, and access to more amenities are just a few factors that are driving this huge demand for rentals near the city center.

It is definitely time to update our downtown resident population numbers as presentations and reports seem to always stick to some 5-6,000 number for the last 10 years.

Enjoy!