'Much of Raleigh was built here:' Historic 1800s warehouse revived as destination for brewery, dining

A renaissance is coming to a former factory in Raleigh – a warehouse that built munitions during World War I and fabricated steel for buildings and monuments around the city.

The structure's steel bones date back to the late 1800s. when it was originally located in the Warehouse District in downtown. Peden Steel bought it, took it apart and moved it to its new location along Atlantic Ave. in the 1950s.

Now, it's coming back to life as Raleigh Iron Works.

"Much of Raleigh was built right here in this facility," says Gordon Grubb, president of Grubb Ventures, the developer buying the former Peden Steel plant.

All of the steel inside the building is original – well over a century old. Instead of demolishing that history, the Grubb Ventures and Jamestown team is reviving it into the new Raleigh Iron Works.

"We tried to reuse as many things on the site as we could," he says.

With all of the 20 to 40 story towers planned for Raleigh, it's important to highlight the benefits of an adaptive re-use project.

Retail space with offices above will fill the original Double Gable and Bow Truss buildings. They plan to add a few modern touches - like a slide down from the offices to the courtyard and a firepit made of recycled steel and concrete from the site.

The only new construction is a building of 219 apartments.

"We’re hoping this will be a place, a true destination for Raleigh that everyone can get excited about," says Sam Crutchfield, managing director of leasing for Grubb Ventures.

The developer is already looking to expand across Wicker Drive. They're getting ready to transform three warehouses there into the Salvage Yard.

"Triangle Rock Club is opening up a 40,000 square foot climbing and full fitness facility there," says Crutchfield. "There will be plenty of places to eat, drink, and play here in the next 12 months."

Several of the storefronts are already taken by some big local names. Durham's Eastcut sandwiches and Ponysaurus Brewing will open their first Raleigh locations. So will Andia's Ice from Cary. Chef Scott Crawford is planning an Italian-Croation restaurant. A fitness studio is set to be the first to open in just a few weeks.