In 1990 Progress Energy (then CP&L) was Raleigh’s tallest building but things were changing: two buildings were being built that would soon define Raleigh’s skyline for the next 17 years. These buildings, Wachovia (then First Union) and 2 Hannover, were both about the same height and several blocks apart. 2 Hannover was in the heart of the CBD, next to a few other highrises. Wachovia, while only down Fayetteville Street Mall, was much taller than anything else around it.
Flash forward to September 26th, 2006 - Downtown Raleigh is about to break ground on its new tallest building. At 538 feet, the new headquarters for RBC will stand 100 feet above our current tallest. Just like 1991, however, our new tallest building won’t be alone. The long awaited Reynolds tower is expected to break ground next summer. While we don’t know the final height or final plans, it’s recently been announced that the building might go up to 31 stories. Whether or not it will surpass RBC isn’t known, but one thing is for sure: Wachovia and 2 Hannover are getting some company, our “bookends” are getting some books.
Add a new tenant to RBC Plaza, Poyner and Spruill will move into the new building (120 attorneys and staff)
Without a doubt, these are two very significant projects for downtown. Not only they will alter the skyline forever, but also add residents, an element that we all want to see dominating our city’s core. Architecturally, they are both nice and will fit well into our skyline. Many people want to see signature towers, but this will not happen until we go above 600ft. Towers of 500ft and below tend to be seen as fillers in most cities and Raleigh will not be an exception 20 years down the road. Overall, great news!!!