Restaurant, Nightclub or Church

At the corner of Dawson and Cabarrus Streets in the Warehouse District is a fantastic building (photo below) that has been occupied by various tenants over the years.  A restaurant called The Warehouse used to be in the space a couple of years ago and the most recent tenant was Paul’s Catering.  It has large open plan spaces, a dance floor and various other highly sought out amenities.  It reminds one of the spaces that big city mobsters may meet at night for cigars and whiskey.  Paul’s seemed to be having business problems and today’s evidence proves that.  A real estate sign has been placed on the sidewalk adjacent to the front entrance and it simply states:  Available Restaurant, Nightclub, or Church.  Oh, the irony.

There is an explanation as to why this space could be occupied by these three different, or maybe not, “tenants.”  The logistics have to do with zoning and the classification of this space as “assembly” under the NC Building Code.  But still, the ironic nature of this sign is almost laughable.  It would be a great space for any of these three tenants but would it be the right location for a church? 

The Warehouse District is filling up with more restaurants, nightclubs and bars almost daily so another one of these would fit right in.  Then again, Vintage 21 has shown that what used to be a bar can now be a church and lead the culture revolution in the area.  The bar (no pun intended) has been raised that these warehouses can be used for any type of space and add to the character of downtown.  That is the best part of an open plan space and brick walls, anything can happen inside.  More retail is needed in the neighborhood to add density and variety, but any tenants are better than no tenants.  With the rising level of young and restless urban professionals moving downtown Raleigh, the warehouses of this district are aching to be filled with program, whether that be Restaurant, Nightclub or Church.

Meanwhile, construction continues on the site next door to Paul’s and behind the “soon to re-open” Poole’s.  The last information we were given on the site was that the parking deck of The L Building was under construction but the building was on hold.  Hmmmmm…

 

 

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