This Famous Round North Carolina Hotel Just Reopened After A $36 Million Transformation

The nickname “Hair Curler” made me laugh before I even saw the building.

Then the photos made perfect sense.

This round North Carolina hotel has been part of the skyline since 1969, and somehow only nine of these circular Holiday Inn towers are still standing nationwide.

What really pulled me in was how close this one came to disappearing.

Demolition was seriously considered before the plan changed and a $36 million renovation gave the tower another shot.

Now the same building that once looked headed for the wrecking ball is welcoming guests again, complete with updated rooms and a lounge 20 floors above the city.

I’m always fascinated by places that get saved instead of replaced.

Retro architecture rarely gets a second act this dramatic.

And sleeping inside something locals compare to a giant hair curler feels like a pretty memorable bonus.

A Round Tower With Some Very Funny Nicknames

Hotel Indigo Raleigh Downtown by IHG lives inside one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. The tower is perfectly round, like someone dropped a giant spool on the skyline.

Raleigh locals lovingly call it the Hair Curler. Former employees reportedly called it something else, comparing it to a tall can you’d find in a cooler.

Either nickname fits once you see the shape in person. The tower rises 20 stories, and the curve makes it stand out from every boxy building around it.

Round Holiday Inn towers were once a bold design idea across the country. Today, only nine of them remain in the United States, which makes this one a true survivor.

I like that the renovation kept the outside almost exactly as it was. The famous curved footprint stayed put, so the building still looks like itself.

That matters more than you might expect. Plenty of cities lose quirky old buildings and replace them with something forgettable.

Here, the odd shape became the whole point. If you love architecture with a sense of humor, this tower deserves a spot on your North Carolina road trip list.

Raleigh Almost Lost This Retro Landmark

Back in 1969, this tower opened as a Holiday Inn. For the next eight years, nothing in Raleigh stood taller.

The building changed hands and names over the decades. It worked as a Holiday Inn, then a Clarion, and then a Holiday Inn again before its newest chapter.

After years of uncertainty and earlier demolition proposals, the City of Raleigh officially designated the round tower as a historic landmark on December 2, 2025.

At one point, plans called for tearing the building down. Thankfully, the demolition plans gave way to a preservation project, and the building received its official historic landmark designation in December 2025.

Tidal Real Estate Partners bought the property in 2021. Sage Hospitality Group now manages the hotel, which reopened in October 2026 as Hotel Indigo.

I believe that turnaround is the best part of the whole story. Old buildings rarely get a second act this good.

When you stay here, you’re sleeping in a piece of Raleigh history that nearly vanished. That gives an ordinary overnight trip a surprising amount of meaning.

Not bad for a building nicknamed after a hair accessory, right?

Take The Elevator All The Way Up For The Best View In Town

Twenty floors up, High Ground Lounge holds a title no other spot in Raleigh can claim. It’s the highest hospitality venue in the city.

That means the views come with serious bragging rights. The lounge offers panoramic looks across the downtown skyline, so every seat feels a little like a front-row ticket.

Because the tower is round, the top floor gives you a wide sweep of the city. Raleigh spreads out below in a way you just can’t see from street level.

Sunset seems like the obvious time to go. Night views of downtown lights would be hard to ignore too.

You don’t have to be an overnight guest to enjoy the lounge either. It works as a destination for a dinner out with friends or a special date.

The space opened as part of the big renovation, and it quickly became the star of the reopening. Honestly, it’s easy to see why.

My advice is simple. Plan ahead, since a brand-new rooftop spot with this kind of view tends to stay busy.

Southern Flavors Get A Fresh Twist Up Top

Good food and a great view make a strong team. High Ground Lounge pairs its skyline scenery with a Southern-inspired menu.

The kitchen leans on familiar flavors from North Carolina and the wider South. Then it gives those classics a contemporary spin.

That approach makes a lot of sense for this building. The tower itself mixes old Southern history with a fresh modern look, and the menu follows the same idea.

I like a restaurant that knows exactly where it lives. Rooting the food in regional flavors helps the lounge feel like Raleigh, not just any city.

Visitors from out of state get a taste of the South without needing to hunt for it. Locals get a new way to enjoy dishes they already know and love.

The lounge works as both a bar and a restaurant. That flexibility means you can stop in for a full meal or keep things light.

Either way, the setting does a lot of the work. Southern comfort food simply hits differently when the whole city glows outside the window.

Coffee From An Airstream Is A Pretty Great Welcome

Most hotels hand you a key and point you toward the elevator. This one greets you with a shiny vintage Airstream.

The classic silver trailer now serves as a courtyard coffee bar. It sits right between the check-in area and the arrival spaces.

That placement is clever. Guests naturally pass by it, and the courtyard becomes a social spot along Hillsborough Street.

The Airstream also matches the building’s personality perfectly. A retro trailer outside a retro round tower feels like the right kind of playful.

Morning coffee here could easily become a highlight of your stay. It’s casual, easy, and a lot more fun than a machine in a hallway.

Neighbors and passersby can enjoy the courtyard energy too. The design team clearly wanted the hotel to connect with the street around it.

I think that choice says a lot about the whole renovation. Hotel Indigo Raleigh Downtown by IHG wants to feel like part of the neighborhood, not a sealed-off building.

Plus, how often do you get to order coffee from a travel trailer?

Cork, Oak, And Local Art Set A Mid-Century Mood

Inside, the $36 million makeover leans into the tower’s 1960s roots. The interiors now carry a warm mid-century modern style.

New York design firm Inc. led the interior work. The team used oak finishes, natural cork, and custom furnishings throughout the spaces.

Cork might sound like an odd choice at first. In a mid-century setting, though, it adds texture and a cozy, earthy feel.

Nashville-based ESa handled the architectural renovation. One big change opened up the ground floor into a larger community lounge filled with natural light.

That lounge gives guests a real place to hang out. It’s a welcome upgrade for anyone who likes working or relaxing outside their room.

The art deserves its own shout-out. Pieces by North Carolina artists, curated by nineDOTarts, appear throughout the hotel.

I love that the walls showcase local talent. It turns a quick walk to the elevator into a small tour of the state’s creative scene.

The result feels grounded in Raleigh, which is exactly the goal of a Hotel Indigo.

Your Room Has A Curve Most Hotels Can’t Offer

Sleeping in a round tower comes with a fun bonus. The building’s curved shape gives the rooms a layout you won’t find in a typical rectangular hotel.

Hotel Indigo Raleigh Downtown by IHG has 204 guest rooms. Every one of them was refreshed during the big renovation.

Complimentary Wi-Fi runs throughout the hotel. That’s handy whether you’re streaming a show or answering one last work email.

All rooms are non-smoking. The hotel is also pet-friendly, so your four-legged travel buddy can come along for a fee.

Driving in? Valet parking is available for an extra charge, which saves you from circling downtown blocks.

The fitness center is another solid perk. It covers 1,500 square feet, uses TechnoGym equipment, and stays open around the clock.

Night owls and early risers will appreciate that 24-hour access. You can squeeze in a workout whenever your schedule allows.

Put it all together, and the rooms feel modern while the building feels historic. I’d call that a pretty great combination for a weekend in North Carolina.

Planning A Party Or Meeting? There’s Space For That

Events in a landmark building just sound more memorable. Hotel Indigo Raleigh Downtown by IHG offers more than 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space.

The rooms can handle corporate gatherings and social occasions alike. That range covers everything from a work retreat to a family celebration.

Think about how much the setting adds. Guests get to say they attended an event inside the famous round tower.

The location helps too. Downtown Raleigh puts attendees close to restaurants, museums, and other spots worth exploring after the meeting wraps.

Business travelers have extra reasons to look here. The hotel sits near the Atlantic Union Bank Convention Center.

Downtown is also gearing up for growth. A planned $400 million expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center campus could bring even more events to the area.

That makes the timing of this reopening feel smart. The hotel arrived right as the neighborhood prepares for its next big chapter.

Even a routine work trip could feel special when the after-meeting plan involves a 20th-floor view.

Museums, The Capitol, And More Are Close By

You’ll find the tower at 320 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603. That address puts you right in the heart of downtown action.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences sits nearby. It’s a great pick for families or anyone who enjoys a good dinosaur skeleton.

History fans can explore the City of Raleigh Museum on Fayetteville Street. The North Carolina Museum of History is temporarily closed for renovations, with reopening expected in 2028.

The State Capitol is close too, offering another fascinating look at North Carolina’s past.

Art lovers have options as well. CAM Raleigh Contemporary Art Gallery offers a modern counterpoint to the historic sights.

Arriving by train? Raleigh Union Station is nearby, which makes a car-free weekend in North Carolina pretty doable.

North Carolina State University is also close to the hotel. Visiting parents and game-day fans should keep that in mind.

I like how many trips this location supports. Museum days, campus visits, and business meetings all fit neatly around one home base.

Then you get to finish the day back at the round tower, riding up for one more look at the city lights.