OUR HISTORY
The SkyView building is not only a beautiful location for your special event, but is also rich in history.
History
The 1964 BB&T Bank Building located at 121 Hay Street is a stunning and well-preserved example of modern architecture designed by renowned architect G. Milton Small of Raleigh.
Small came to Raleigh after studying with Mies Van der Rohe in Chicago. Over the next several decades, Small produced a body of work that distinguished him as the most accomplished proponent of Miesian modernism in the area. Small is known for designing several buildings in the state, including Carter Finley Stadium, Raleigh City Hall, and the Raleigh Country Club. The 1964 BB&T Bank Building is the only G. Milton Small design in Cumberland County.
In 1984, a fire broke out in the Belk Hensdale building next door to the SkyView Building. The fire department worked all day to keep the fire from spreading to the bank building. Although Belk burned to the ground, the SkyView building was saved! The space that was formerly Belk became a small pay parking lot that is privately owned.
When BB&T moved from downtown, the building was used as an office building for a few years. Then it changed hands and was altered to function as a series of notorious bars including Gotham Blues and Bentley’s.
Finally, in 2010, the ATF shut down the bar. The bar owners walked away, leaving the building full of garbage and open beverages. The building sat empty for a year.
In July 2011, Hay Street Investments purchased the building and began the process of removing the alterations put in place by the bar owners and restoring the property to its original grandeur. |
New skylights allow light to pour in. Black curtains and dark window tinting were removed. Black ceilings were replaced and blue walls were painted over and covered up. The original terrazzo floors, covered with ceramic tile, vinyl tile, and indoor/outdoor carpet were refinished to their original luster. Rocks were removed from the garden and a Zen garden took shape. Original architectural details were revealed and enhanced. |
The former bank building has now been restored and converted into a contemporary, elegant and flexible event facility with state-of-the-art amenities on all three floors.
The building is named SkyView on Hay to describe the amazing views and natural light entering through ten giant skylights and soaring walls of windows in each space throughout the property.
