Historic Heights House mansion offers one-of-a-kind experience in downtown Raleigh

The good news is you don't have to buy a plane ticket to get there.

The Italianate-style mansion was abandoned and laying to waste until Sarah and Jeff Shepherd decided to turn the historic home into a boutique hotel.

"I walked by it every day for years and I was like, 'Wow, this could be really special,'" Sarah said.

She felt like something was missing in Raleigh, and she realized Heights House could be that missing piece of the puzzle.

"The inspiration for Heights House was really a combination of things," Sarah said. "It was a love for history and architecture and saving a piece of Raleigh that was deteriorating and not being taken care of. And the other part was to bring something to our downtown area that really was missing."

"There wasn't anything unique for people who lived here and visitors that were coming to visit Raleigh. So it was really about bringing not only the local community together somewhere really special where they can get a drink [or] have a staycation, but welcoming travelers to Raleigh and making a statement about what what we are as a city."

Sarah said she always wanted to open her own business, but she never expected to go into the hospitality business.

"My whole life I'd wanted to start my own business," she said. "I didn't know it was going to be a hotel… I wanted to do something unique and special and open my own business."

Sarah and Jeff bought the property in 2018, but it took years to renovate.

Sarah wanted to stay true to its original design and Italian influence.

"We kind of took the inspiration of things we loved about the places we stayed all over the world and put it into this hotel and the Heights House," she said.

When Heights House opened in spring of 2021, it was a nine-room boutique hotel and event venue.

Every room has been uniquely designed, and the European influence is evident.

Since then, Heights House has evolved into much more.

"It sort of evolved over time as we got our footing and really figured out what this space is best for," Sarah said.

Since it opened, Heights House has evolved into much more than a hotel.

"We've now opened the parlor bar," Sarah said. "So now the public has a way to come in and enjoy the space without having to book an overnight stay."

The Italian inspired parlor bar features all Italian wines, and all of the craft cocktails are also Italian influenced.

You can also book a private dinner, if you're wanting a more intimate dining experience in Raleigh.

In the fall, residents can come to Heights House for an afternoon tea. Music on the lawn will also resume in the fall.