72 replies to this topic

[dmccall]

The official entry for this project is: Solas (SP-105-06) (.pdf file)
It's the former break repair shop to the left of the Armadillo Grill parking lot. The official owner is "Hibernian Entertainment"

[ChiefJoJo]

I was just talking with a friend walking b there on Sunday thinking "too bad they didn't combine with the property next door and make something cohesive and bigger in the entire space between Armadillo and Helios.  I think the N&O mentioned the reason this took so long to break ground (clear the lot) is the parking requirement.

[DwnTwnRaleighGuy]

Exactly what is this project? Is there any more info on what this project will include? Thank you!

[drewpiece]

Thank the lord there's finally going to be something there.

[CliffyB]

DwnTwnRaleighGuy, on Dec 21 2006, 09:01 AM, said:

Exactly what is this project? Is there any more info on what this project will include? Thank you!

This is the owner of Hibernion's new thing. (Niles/Nigel!?) It's a 3 story entertainment complex. First story is going to be a restaurant, second a club, third a Vegas style open air lounge.

15,000 sq ft.

Interesting choice considering the rumor has it Rush and Aura aren't doing so hot.

[ncwebguy]

The property to the left of the Armadillo Grill parking lot, the former Capitol Electronics store, is owned by My Three B's, a holding company of former Hurricane Bates Battaglia and his dad.

If Hibernian and the Battaglias could have worked something out, there could hav been something neat here.  Something slightly set off the sidewalk for outdoor seating -- a little more than Armadillo, but less than Helios -- and two or three stories for room for a restaurant/bar/club/etc.  Or maybe a storefront as part of the building, with bar/restaurant on top, a la Rockford above the salons.

I've never been to Rush/Aura, but have been to Hibernian many times...  Rush/Aura wants to be an exclusive, big city club, and is only open a few hours a night, a few days a week.  Hibernian's "come as you are" attitude is a lot more appealing to me personally than the dress code/cover charge attitude up the street.  I think Nile (no s, according to a friend who knows him from playing trivia at the Cary location) has done a better job of creating a welcoming atmosphere.  Having the restaurant open for lunch, dinner and late night makes it easier to pay the rent than overcharging club goers who are often attracted to the new, shiny kid on the block.

The parking-requirement delays are unfortunate for this area.  Glenwood is what it is due to buildings that were grandfathered the requirements or had creative parking solutions -- Rockford, Hibernian, the Creamery, 518, Firefly, etc.

[pack-man]

sounds like a bold move in this area.  i wouldn't be surprised if some doors start to shut in and around this area due to oversaturation/high rents.  this could be good for fay. street as some places might seek that as the new area to go.

[ralncdude]

Solas is coming to Glenwood South.

Story in the N&O.

Edited by ralncdude, 13 February 2007 - 11:11 AM.

[Justin6882]

Sounds nice!  Probably a little of the same, but should fit in well down there.  We REALLY need a rooftop bar so I'm excited about that.

[ChiefJoJo]

link to architect

[carynative]

great addition for that little lot.  It's gonna be nice having that there.

[DanRNC]

Very cool building. I think this is the same group that did the Mad Hatters on Main St. in Durham and the Duck and Dumpling interiors.

[Justin6882]

Just looking at their website...what is "The Wave"?  Its not bringing anything up when I click on it.

[DanRNC]

Quote

Just looking at their website...what is "The Wave"? Its not bringing anything up when I click on it.

It looks like a renovation of an existing building. Here's a link to the website.

Link

Go to historic renovation/adaptive reuse.

Edited by DanRNC, 13 February 2007 - 04:44 PM.

[dmccall]

From photo 2, it looks like it is the old Pine State office building (between Red Room and Sullivans). Notice the parking deck behind it. Here's the map pointing out the building (Glenwood and Tucker)

Great reuse of an othewise yucky shoebox.

[Justin6882]

Well whatever it is, the rendering and description look pretty cool.

[Jones133]

dmccall, on Feb 13 2007, 05:50 PM, said:

From photo 2, it looks like it is the old Pine State office building (between Red Room and Sullivans). Notice the parking deck behind it. Here's the map pointing out the building (Glenwood and Tucker)

Great reuse of an othewise yucky shoebox.

Thats a pretty good bet based on the combined 6000 sqft and 1950's criteria.

Solas looks to be massed in a way so that in can comfortably rest right against Helios. I for one am happy with some smaller cool looking buildings thrown in the mix...some historic sense of scale is maintained and you get a chance for some variety in architecture which to me Glenwood needs as the threat to McCondo the whole area (222, Paramount, West) is everpresent.....

[Redman84]

Finally time that Glenwood South gets a Rooftop Bar. I've been waiting for one of these for a while.

As far as Rush/Aura not doing well, I can believe it. Number one, they try to be a little exclusive. I like their idea, but a couple things are killing that place. For Rush, first of all, its VERY small inside. As well, Rush is no smoking inside, which is nice, but face it in this area at this time, things like that just don't fly too well. For Aura, its kinda hidden if you're unfamiliar with the area. Last time I went there is was like a $7 Cover....No Thank you!! Lucky B's - Around The Corner, is killing Rush/Aura, and if you go there as often as I do, you know why I say that. Everyone that would go to Rush/Aura has gone to Lucky B's or gone over to the Depot to Ess Lounge.

However, this major crowding at Lucky's does get quite bothersome sometimes, so this new place will hopefully be a great change of scenery!

[DPK]

pack-man, on Dec 22 2006, 08:47 AM, said:

i wouldn't be surprised if some doors start to shut in and around this area due to oversaturation/high rents.

Good, maybe rents will start coming down and other people (who aren't wealthy) will have an opportunity to buy around there.  

[Subway Scoundrel]

dmccall, on Feb 13 2007, 05:50 PM, said:

From photo 2, it looks like it is the old Pine State office building (between Red Room and Sullivans). Notice the parking deck behind it. Here's the map pointing out the building (Glenwood and Tucker)

Great reuse of an othewise yucky shoebox.

I was really hoping they would just knock down this building and start all over.  Being a corner lot and room to go up, they would just mow it.    But it does not look so bad, but they may be looking for more room in 5-10 years after this built on such a great block of land.