About Raleigh

The intersection of Fayetteville and Davie Streets.

Known as the “City of Oaks”, Raleigh is North Carolina’s second-most populous city in North Carolina, after Charlotte. Established as the State Capital in 1792, the city was home to an estimated 476,587 residents in 2022.

Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, sponsor of the Colony of Roanoke, Raleigh is the largest city in the Research Triangle Metropolitan Region. The Research Triangle is one of the country’s largest research parks and a major center in the United States for high-tech and biotechnology research, as well as textile development.

One of the south’s rapidly growing cities, Raleigh has doubled in population since the 1990s.

A visual tour of Downtown Raleigh

The intersection of South Wilmington Street and Lenoir Street.

Looking north on South Wilmington Street.

Located at 411 Fayetteville Street, One Progress Plaza is a 21-story tower that was originally completed in 1977 as a headquarters for Carolina Power & Light (Progress Energy, Inc.).

PNC Plaza is a 33-story skyscraper that was completed in 2008.

The intersection of East Martin and South Wilmington Streets.

The GoRaleigh Station at 214 South Blount Street.

The Founders Row Condominiums on East Davie Street.

Established in 1914, the Raleigh City Market continues to be one of downtown’s most popular destinations. Today the market contains a host of restaurants and boutique specialty shops.

Moore Square is a 4.5-acre park that has been in Raleigh since 1792. Today, the park remains a signature destination.

The intersection of South Wilmington Street and East Hargett Street.

Dedicated in 1924, the Odd Fellows Building (Commerce Building) at 19 West Hargett Street was Raleigh’s first 1920s tall office building.

South Salisbury Street.

Looking east down West Davie Street.

The Raleigh Convention Center was expanded for $225 million in September 2008. The 500,000 square foot center includes a 150,000 square foot exhibition hall, 20 meeting rooms and a 32,000 square foot ballroom.

Located at 555 Fayetteville Street, Charter Square is an 11-story Class A office building that was completed in 2015. It is one of only two office towers in the Southeast with LEED Platinum designation.

Looking north of Fayetteville Street.