Original Char-Grill in downtown Raleigh could have up to 20 stories built on site

The corner that houses the original Char-Grill restaurant on Hillsborough Street could soon have a building that’s up to 20 stories tall on site.

But all is not lost for fans of the Raleigh burger staple. Developers want to rezone the corner of Hillsborough Street and Boylan Avenue, and the new development will incorporate Char-Grill in its plans.

“This project gives us the opportunity to upgrade our facility to better serve our customers in the future,” said Char-Grill owners Ryon Wilder and Mahlon Aycock in a news release Wednesday. “This isn’t ‘goodbye’ at all. It’s ‘see-you-soon.’”

The restaurant, which opened in 1959, will keep serving customers until construction begins. There are eight other locations in Raleigh.

Developers Wilson | Blount want to rezone the property from seven and three stories to up to 20 stories with various zoning conditions. The rezoning would also remove the property from the North Boylan Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District.

An application has not been officially filed yet, but a neighborhood meeting is set for 7 p.m. July 12 at Pullen Park Community Center, 408 Ashe Ave., Raleigh.

The more than 2-acre assemblage also includes the historic Elmwood property, which was home to two Supreme Court chief justices, an associate justice and an ambassador.

“We have deep roots and respect for our community,” said Michael Blount, managing principal with Wilson | Blount Development. “This site is home to structures that are part of Raleigh’s unique history. We’re taking great care in our approach to responsibly honor this history as we plan for a new, first-in-class development that will make a positive impact in our community.”