Raleigh's Warehouse District: Repurposed Hip in Downtown

Raleigh’s Warehouse District is a kind of crossroads, literally and figuratively. One of downtown’s popular entertainment districts, Raleigh’s Warehouse District blankets five-plus blocks where industrial and commercial commerce, artistic exploration, diverse dining and nightlife converge. 

Situated just south of the Glenwood South District and west of the Fayetteville Street District, this area is also referred to as the Depot Historic District and is noted on the National Register of Historic Places. For nearly 100 years until the 1950s, this part of town served as Raleigh’s railroad and warehouse distribution hub. Today, while the Norfolk Southern Railway lines still run through the district and Raleigh’s Amtrak Rail Station resides in the southernmost part of the area’s footprint, this now often-described “urban hip” locale, still riddled with immense, historic red brick warehouses, radiates an artistic vibe as evidenced by its growing number of creative design studios, art galleries and the highly anticipated, soon-to-open Contemporary Art Museum. 

Area dwellings like the lofty condominiums of Park Devereux, the Dawson and the contemporary apartments of the Hue make urban living a reality here. As for drinking and dining options – flip a coin.  On the ground floor of the Dawson is a neighborhood hangout, the Borough, or grab a beer at the popular Flying Saucer, or choose one of 66 drafts at the Cherry Bomb Grill. 

When deciding on where to dine, everything from nationally recognized pit master Ed Mitchell’s eastern NC BBQ served with a glass of vino or craft draft at the Pit, to an evening of cocktails and assorted tapas on the terrace at area favorite Humble Pie, to modern Mexican at Jibarra and traditional Tuscan at the district’s latest eatery Tuscan Blu are within a tight radius. 

For night owls, dance clubs and late night lounges abound. Dance clubs like Legends and late-night dining and entertainment lounge Five Star have stood the test of time in this ‘hood among others, while spots like White Collar Crime and Deep South the Bar are just two of the area's many bars offering live music paired with libations at the ready. 

Another ultra popular time to pay a visit to the Warehouse District: the first Friday of every month. If you are new to Raleigh, this is art gallery walk time in Raleigh’s downtown, and spots like Flanders Gallery, Design Box and 311 West Martin Gallery & Studios are just a few of the destinations on the First Friday agenda that call the Warehouse District home.  Keep in mind, if street parking is hard to find – park the car in one of downtown’s many garages and depend on downtown’s complimentary circular bus, the R-Line, to get you in and out of this district seamlessly.   

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