Raleigh Iron Works: Restoring the Past and Forging the Future by Future Green Landscape Architecture

Raleigh Iron Works is deeply rooted in the city’s history, honoring its industrial past as a steel foundry and munitions manufacturer during both world wars. Through adaptive reuse, the site’s original buildings and salvaged materials have been repurposed to create a dynamic 26-acre district that blends office, residential, and retail spaces with interconnected outdoor areas for commerce and recreation. Designed as a vibrant, walkable destination, it supports daily life for residents and office workers while hosting pop-up markets, outdoor fitness, and community events. The district seamlessly connects the historic industrial site to the greater Raleigh Greenway system and surrounding neighborhoods.

At the heart of the district, a courtyard within the Double Gable Building is open to the sky, animated by playful shadows from steelwork and Magnolia trees. Reclaimed concrete from the former factory floor is arranged in a deconstructed grid, forming a unique, permeable surface that helps recharge groundwater. Mounded plantings of Sesleria and Asclepias create intimate seating pockets and frame a central gathering space anchored by a reclaimed concrete block fireplace. At the entry to the building, a seating element, inspired by the site’s historical trolley carts, rests on a recreated rail line, while soft wood decking at the base of the steel structure invites visitors to linger. A sunken planting bed, set within the footprint of an old dock, is bordered by gabion basket walls that allow water to flow freely to adjacent greenery.

Throughout the site, repurposed concrete blocks serve as benches, grade retainers, and signage. Corten steel swings nod to the site’s past while offering a playful seating element for all ages. A rock salt concrete finish at the sidewalks adds a gritty, industrial texture to the pavers, reinforcing the site’s character.

The planting strategy evolved through an exploration of the found condition on site and a celebration of emergent vegetation that enveloped the post-industrial site prior to construction. The palette relies heavily on native grasses and wildflowers that are urban adapted and resilient.

The site integrates environmentally conscious amenities while preserving the essence of its industrial heritage. Sustainable design elements—including permeable surfaces, bicycle facilities, and seamless access to the Raleigh Greenway—contributed to the Bow Truss and Double Gable buildings earning LEED-ND v4 Gold certification.

With its thoughtful balance of history, sustainability, and modern functionality, Raleigh Iron Works stands as a model for adaptive reuse and urban revitalization. By weaving together industrial legacy with contemporary design, it fosters a vibrant community hub that is both rooted in the past and designed for the future.

• Project typology:

Adaptive Reuse, mixed-use

• All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:

Design Landscape Architect: Future Green Landscape Architecture D.P.C.
Landscape Architect of Record: Stewart

• All architecture offices involved in the design:

Design Architect: Cline Design Associates; S9 Architecture
Architect of Record: LS3P

• Other credits you need or wish to write:

Site Developers: Grubb Ventures; Jamestown
Civil Engineer: Stewart
General Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie
Landscape Contractor: Myatt Landscaping & Construction
Lighting Designer: CD+M Lighting Design Group
MEP Engineer: Atlantec Engineers
Structural Engineer: Lynch Mykins
Signage Design: Airspace Design Inc.

Image Credits: All photos by Tzu Chen; All drawings by Future Green Landscape Architecture