Bloc 83 represents a transformative addition to downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, bringing together landscape, architecture, and community in a way that redefines the city's urban core. The development, led by Charlie Bradley, PLA, ASLA of Surface 678, consists of two Class A, high-rise office buildings - One Glenwood and Tower Two - alongside carefully curated retail and dining establishments, a 126-room boutique hotel, and multiple entertainment venues. At the heart of the project is what's considered Raleigh's largest urban courtyard, a distinctive public space that creates an inviting destination for both local residents and daily commuters. Together, these elements form a dynamic hub of work, leisure, and culture that strengthens the city's identity as a growing metropolitan center.

As part of the Bloc 83 master plan on Hillsborough Street, the courtyard serves as an essential connector between One Glenwood and Two Hillsborough. More than just a circulation space, it has been designed as an innovative public plaza, blending landscape design with urban placemaking strategies. Ground-floor retail and dining tenants open directly into the courtyard, activating the edges of the plaza and ensuring that the space is used day and night. Flexible seating areas, outdoor dining terraces, and stage-ready program spaces provide opportunities for casual use as well as larger gatherings. The central plaza has quickly become a destination for concerts, community events, and seasonal celebrations, offering a rare balance between everyday functionality and civic festivity.

 
Attention to Detail
One of the defining aspects of Bloc 83 is its embrace of Raleigh's industrial heritage and natural context. The project lies within the Warehouse District, a neighborhood undergoing rapid revitalization while still retaining much of its historic character. The Landscape Architect responded to this unique background with a material palette that fuses industrial and organic elements. Concrete, steel, and wood are paired with a diverse planting strategy that emphasizes both native and urban-tolerant species. This combination grounds the project in the city's past while reflecting the ecological resilience needed for its future.

The project's attention to environmental performance and urban comfort is equally important. Recognizing the challenges of the city's climate, the design team introduced reflective pavements and strategically placed seating elements to create a more suitable microclimate for users. Seasonal wind patterns were considered in the shaping of the courtyard, ensuring that breezes could be harnessed for comfort in warmer months while protected zones offer refuge in colder weather. These subtle interventions elevate the plaza beyond aesthetics, making it a responsive and livable outdoor space.

Inspiration
The inspiration for the design also comes from the site's unique geography. Perched at one of the highest points in Raleigh, the location historically served as the headwaters of a tributary stream feeding into Rocky Branch Creek. The Landscape Architect used this history as a metaphorical framework for the plaza. Circulation routes are organized like the flow of water, with a central "stream" corridor guiding movement through the space. Program nodes, or "eddies," provide opportunities for gathering, dining, and social interaction along the way. Sculptural seating walls double as landform elements, moderating the natural grade change and shaping both the central plaza and adjacent retail terraces. The result is a landscape that tells the story of place while meeting contemporary urban needs.

The design takes full advantage of the site's topography, transforming the grade change into an asset rather than a constraint. Terraced seating, fitness areas, and social zones emerge from this urban dell, encouraging active use throughout the day. These layers of program offer something for everyone - whether a professional stepping out for a quick meeting, a resident enjoying lunch outdoors, or a visitor attending a live performance in the evening.

Situated at the crossroads of Glenwood South and the Warehouse District, the Bloc 83 courtyard expands the city's growing network of open spaces. Internal pedestrian routes connect seamlessly to Morgan Street and Hillsborough Street, providing safe and accessible pathways to some of downtown's busiest corridors. In this way, the project does more than serve its immediate tenants; it contributes to the larger urban fabric by knitting together neighborhoods and enhancing walkability.

Outcome
Ultimately, Bloc 83 embodies the evolving character of Raleigh - respectful of its history, grounded in ecological and cultural context, and forward-looking in its approach to density and urban life. The courtyard balances the pastoral origins of the site with the vibrancy of surrounding historic neighborhoods while embracing the energy of a modern city on the rise. As a privately owned public space, it offers a precedent for how development can contribute to civic life, creating a symbiotic relationship between commercial success and community benefit. Adaptable by design, the courtyard will continue to serve as a platform for public events, daily activities, and social connection, establishing Bloc 83 as a cornerstone of Raleigh's urban renaissance.

As seen in LASN magazine, October 2025.