Rising Steel All Over Downtown Raleigh

This is a small gallery showing construction around downtown Raleigh. Click the photos for a larger image.


The Justice Center appears to be topped off and is taking shape into the Raleigh Skyline.


A family poses for a portrait in front of the globe, a part of the upcoming Nature Research Center, now being pieced together.


The new AIA headquarters is being built on Peace Street.

Rendering Bonus, Green Square and SECU Tower


click for a larger gallery of renderings.

Sure Green Square is nothing new and we’ve been watching construction on this baby for over two years now. But the overlooked SECU tower, a separate project from Green Square is starting to rise out of the ground so renderings help give us a nice look at the future.

Enjoy some of these renderings of the SECU tower, now under construction, as well as some more of Green Square that you may not have seen already. Click on the image above for a gallery.

Thanks to Tom at preVision and O’Brien/Atkins Associates, PA for the wonderful renderings.

(reading RalCon in an e-mail? See the gallery on the site, go here)

First Green Square Skyway Under Construction

The Green Square project has been moving along steadily for over a year and hits its first milestone today with the 900 space parking deck opening up for use. From the Department of Administration press release:

the facility is the most energy-efficient deck in the Downtown State Government Complex, and one of the smartest examples of such construction in our state. Among the features that make the deck “green” are:
· LED lights, which consume one-third less energy and last four times longer than comparable fluorescent lights;
· A 20,000-gallon cistern will collect rainwater, flush it through an oil-water separator to remove debris, and store it until needed to irrigate state properties in downtown Raleigh;
· 23 electric car chargers for use by visitors and employees;
· Energy-efficient, lubrication-free elevators, which reduce maintenance and eliminate the need to dispose of hazardous waste;
· Design that maximizes use of natural light, which in turn reduces the need to burn those highly efficient LED bulbs; and
· Devices installed throughout the facility will track energy consumption and gauge savings.

Also another interesting note is that the first of two skyways is being built over McDowell Street. The section of the street between Jones and Edenton has been closed on weekends and is causing some traffic delays. Keep this in mind for the next few weeks as the skyway is not finished yet.

Downtown Raleigh Construction Projects To Watch In 2011

2010 did not have a lot of new construction taking place so the development fanboys might be disappointed. 2011 may surprise us, or it may not. Either way, let’s go into the new year with a list of what action there is to follow.

AIANC Center for Architecture and Design

Rendering of the new AIANC Headquarters

Groundbreaking, shown above, has already occurred for the Center for Architecture and Design. This building from the American Institute of Architects North Carolina Chapter will incorporate many sustainable design features and will seek a LEED Platinum level certification, the highest such level.

The building should be finished late this year. To see and read more about the building:

– Update page for the AIANC Center for Architecture and Design
In North Carolina, a Gutsy Move : Huffingtonpost.com

Contemporary Art Museum

The Contemporary Art Musem (CAM) will be open on April 30th, 2011. This project has seen steady work throughout 2010 and will finally be finished in a few months.

CAM website

Justice Center

The massive Wake County Justice Center with its triple crane action has been discussed a lot on this site. We will see work taking place here all year. Completion is planned for the summer of 2013.

Project website

Green Square

Just like the Justice Center, Green Square has also been under construction all of last year and will continue through 2011. A combination of offices and the Nature Research Center will most likely open in 2012.

Green Square website [Update: Broken link]

Green Square Construction Update

Last week I had a wide angle lens that I was borrowing for a trip. I had one more day before returning it so I hit the sidewalks and walked around downtown Raleigh for some pictures. Here are some raw photos of the Green Square project under construction for those that don’t see it too often.

If you click on the photos, a gallery pops up with larger pictures and more then are shown. RSS and e-mail viewers please click the source link to view it.