October
04
2008
David

Velvet Cloak Inn Considered Unsafe by City

Bob Geary brings us word that the Velvet Cloak Inn has been closed by the city for having ‘non-permitted changes’ and fire code violations. The Velvet Cloak Inn recently changed owners and has been selling condos in old hotel rooms under the moniker of “Velvet Cloak Villas” for the last year.  It sucks for those staying in the hotel temporarily, but what about the folks that lived there?

An excerpt from a memo to the city manager on Geary’s Blog:

Deputy Fire Marshall and determined that due to the amount of non-permitted work that has been done and the numerous building and fire code violations existing, it is hazardous and unsafe for the building to be occupied at this time. With this being the case, at 1:30 today Inspections staff and Fire Department staff with the assistance of Raleigh police will be posting the building unsafe to occupy and requiring the existing occupants to vacate the property.

An excerpt of a recent review on a hotel rating site:

We remembered this as a place our parents stayed on visits in the early 80s. Then, it was classy, clean, and quaint. Now, it is dirty - the carpets were disgusting, the bathroom fixtures are corroded, the sheets and bed mattresses are cheap, and there are what appear to be slow moving home improvement projects going on throughout.

More on The Closing from Bob Geary

Related Posts:

Barrel Monster Spotted On Hillsborough Street
Haunted Hike: Hillsborough Halloween Uneventful
Hidden Around Hillsborough Street
Neomonde Bakery Spring Festival

Tagged: NC State Area, Russel Allen, The Velvet Cloak Inn, Building Inspectors

Read More: Politics , Other posts by David.

  • David Smoot
    10/05 03:14 PM

    For more than four years, the Management of The Velvet Cloak Inn has been refurbishing this beloved landmark.  Earlier this week, Management invited the Building Inspector and Fire Marshall to meet with its architect and engineer, and review its progress. 

    Of the four buildings that comprise the site, the lobby building was deemed temporarily unsafe and repairs were identified.  As the safety and security of guests is paramount, the lobby has been closed and the check-in desk has been moved to a temporary location.  For their convenience, some guests have been relocated to one of the three other buildings. 

    Repairs are currently underway and The Velvet Cloak Inn looks forward to reopening its lobby building very soon.  We thank you for your patience and support as we continue our painstaking repairs of this lovely building.

  • vw
    10/05 11:03 PM

    I live right down the street from the Velvet Cloak and have wondered for years what was going on. I see construction progress happening ‘on the daily’ from the Park Ave. side. Never seen a permit box, but do see dumpsters being emptied, saws being run, items being spray painted in the parking lot, etc. A limo service is being run out of the building and has an office in one of the suites.

  • DPK
    10/06 01:09 AM

    Sketchy.

  • Jim
    10/06 09:49 AM

    What’s Ann Cabell trying to sell those condos for again?  If I recall it’s $100k plus.

  • RaleighRob
    10/06 10:45 AM

    ^ I don’t think Cabell was actually selling them (although some appeared on her webpage thru the MLS). 
    I think Beck-Lee Real Estate was doing most of the condo sales/rentals.  (They had an office in the front building.)

  • Ashton
    10/06 11:45 AM

    Yeah, to clarify she has never held an exclusive listing of them.  That being said, they likely pop up on every local agents website, as they all pull from the same MLS.

    The listings, which have at this point all been withdrawn, were held by David Smoot, who as far as I know also owns the building.

  • Ashton
    10/06 11:59 AM

    I stand corrected, there are still active listings in MLS.

  • Billy
    10/06 01:08 PM

    I believe the condos are only $8,000.

  • Deb
    10/06 01:49 PM

    Billy, I am not sure where you found them listed for $8k, but I found some listed on the MLS ranging from $77,500 for 327 sq. ft. to $182,500 for 664 sq. ft.

  • Ashton
    10/06 06:54 PM

    For those interested, these are the active listings over there:

    http://trianglemls.mlxtempo.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=12383089&s=TRA&t=TRA

  • Becklee
    10/07 01:47 PM

    Hello Everyone!
    I’m Becklee Niemchak, owner of Becklee Real Estate, LLC. My office condo is located at the front side of the Velvet Cloak facing Hillsborough St. I am not an Agent for the developer here. I’m simply an independent business that happens to be a Real Estate firm. When I purchased my condo, some family and friends purchased other units at the same time. Other than that, which was a year and a half or so ago, I’ve not been associated with any sales at the Velvet Cloak. My business is primarily investment sales and residential property management. We have also helped a couple of owners here find tenants. The owner of Action Limo is also an independent company who purchased an office in this building. I wanted to set the record straight as there had been some reference to me in the posts above.
    Have a great day!
    Becklee Niemchak
    Broker/Owner
    Becklee Real Estate, LLC
    http://www.beckleerealestate.com

  • upset condo owner
    10/10 12:14 AM

    One week later… still shut down. Residential condo owners are going broke paying for hotels. Business owners who bought condos are having to move. No idea when the place will be safe to move back in. No communication from the people in the office. BAD SITUATION!

  • Becklee
    10/11 05:37 AM

    Hello again! I posted previously on the 7th and just saw the post from 10/9. I know (and understand) there are a lot of upset people who have been put out by this ordeal. It is my understanding (and experience) that the owner has been responsive as of the end of this week and is trying to work with people. It appears there is a lot of work being done on the property. There are many repair contractors on site. The owner of the Velvet Cloak, David Smoot, personally returned my call today. He was very apologetic, sympathetic about our move, and understanding. He assured me he was working as hard as he could and ‘sparing no expense” to make things right. After being closed a week, I had to be assured our doors could be open for business next week and have decided to make a temporary move. We had to commit to a 3 month stay at our new location, but we hope to eventually be back “home” to the Velvet Cloak. Our new location is above Almoa Crenshaw Antiques in Five Points at 2008 1/2 Fairview Road.

  • Becklee
    10/11 05:40 AM

    Correction of spelling error from above post: Our new location is above ALOMA Crenshaw Antiques.

  • Pian
    10/15 08:39 PM

    This place is DISGUSTING, should have been closed long ago. Renting rooms to people while you have very serious fire code violations indeed!

  • Ashley Rawls (former employee)
    11/25 09:12 PM

    I used to work at The Velvet Cloak Inn and I am deeply upset by this news.  What a charming and wonderful place that hotel is.  With its beautiful grand ball rooms and the goregous atrium located on the second level. It was built in the early 60’s, Its amazing that it is that old and still even running. The owners David and Jeanne are wonderful people and I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Ethel
    01/09 11:37 PM

    I am planning a wedding ceremony as well as a wedding reception at the Velvet cloak inn in february. having read these blogs I am now very concerned. Since I am in New Jersey and unable to view the place, would someone please advise me as to whether you think that this is a good decision Thaving a wedding at the Velvet Cloak).  Thank You for your input.

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