s blount street
Location: Downtown Raleigh
Size: 1700 sf
Completion Date: Summer 2021
This project is a revival of an existing masonry building in the historic South Blount St district of downtown Raleigh. In an area of downtown where most historic buildings are being demolished, we set out to save this small existing masonry building planned for demolition by the city before being auctioned off. The new owner wanted to add an occupied rooftop and up fit the interior for a future tenant.
The lot is long and narrow, with a landlocked back yard space. The design objective was to celebrate this green space in the midst of the urban environment by opening up the interior of the building to the exterior with a flip up garage door. A new steel stairway provides access to the new rooftop patio.
Planters line the perimeter of the roof top patio to help conceal the view of the railings from the historic facade. Original details like the terracotta coping and transom windows are to be salvaged / restored as needed.
Built in 1951 this building has been home to many businesses. From a cleaners company to a billiard parlor to a restaurant and then a C store. It remained vacant from the early 2000’s to the present due to a leaking roof resulting in extreme water damage to the interior.
