Yesterday, City Council voted 6-1 to approve new zoning conditions presented by Seaboard Station property developer Turnbridge Equities. The new conditions state that the developers must do one of two things:
- Preserve at least 50% of the buildings facade
- Allow a third party to relocate the building
- If neither of the two options are executed, construction will be limited to seven stories
During Monday’s city council meeting, Jason Davis, the project’s managing director, said that the development team is committed to the preservation of the ticketing and waiting areas of the site.
Turnbridge announced plans in January to demolish the former train station, but after listening to residents and preservationists, the New York-based developer reworded its rezoning proposal to help preserve the historic train station.
Seaboard Station has been an unofficial Raleigh landmark since it was built in 1942. The station was used as a passenger and freight train depot, serving travelers until 1986.
After sitting abandoned for five years, the site was purchased by the Logan family who restored the property in 1991, transforming it into Logan’s Garden Shop. In December 2021, the Logan family sold the parcel to Turnbridge Equities for $8.5 million.
Seaboard Station is located on a 2.92-acre lot at 707 Semart Dr. and currently houses Logan’s Garden Shop, which will relocate to a 19,850 sqft lot at the corner of Tryon Road and Gorman Street.
We’re interested to see which option Turnbridge decides to lean into and what will become of Seaboard Station.