Raleigh, N.C. — Three new nightclubs will move into the restored train depot in downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District, creating what some say will be a new entertainment hot spot in the area.

Five years ago, the North Carolina Railroad Company spent more than $2 million to restore the 1912 freight depot. Since its restoration, it has sat empty.

“There was concern for a long time,” said Downtown Raleigh Alliance President Nancy Hormann. “No one really understood why no one was looking at this cool building.”

About six months ago, one nightclub moved in. The rest of the 17,000-square-foot building is expected to be filled by the summer. The new clubs will be a martini bar, country and rock saloon and sports bar.