by Jesma Reynolds

photographs by Tim Lytvinenko

It’s a vertical world we live in, and Raleigh is going up.

Young professionals and empty nesters are migrating downtown to live, work, and play, fueling demand for stylish residential projects that are reshaping our city skyline. Luxury projects like The Residences at Quorum, West at North, and SkyHouse offer owners the opportunity to live above it all in high-altitude dwellings with access to private rooftop pools and gardens. Other stalwarts like City Club Raleigh and the columnar Holiday Inn offer communal gathering spots for taking in the ever-changing views. Photographer Tim Lytvinenko takes us into this world of rarefied spaces, providing a bird’s-eye perspective of our city. 

Citrix employees enjoy a game of miniature golf on the rooftop course that can also be used for bocce, one of the perks offered by the tech company.

Another Citrix bonus is the yoga studio, also on the roof, with aerial views of downtown.

Tall glass buildings mean lots of glass to clean. Here, a window washer scales the face of the PNC building, the tallest skyscaper in Raleigh at 538 feet.

Through the glass bubble chandelier of City Club Raleigh, a view looking east.

A reflection of the chandelier in the Sky Ballroom of the City Club appears to hover over the city.

The Hudson, converted from the old Belk deparment store on Fayetteville Street, has a roof terrace for its residents.

The Raleigh skyline lights up as evening falls on the city.

Spectators, seen reflected in glass, gather on the roof of SkyHouse to view Fourth of July fireworks.

A Holiday Inn patron enjoys views from the 19th-floor bar and restaurant at the top of the iconic rotunda.

At West at North condominiums on Glenwood South, residents take in a sunset by the rooftop pool.

Humid summer nights bring evening electric storms to the city.

A crowd gathers for happy hour beneath the 11-foot chandelier in the Sky Ballroom at City Club Raleigh. Located on the 30th floor of the Wells Fargo Capitol Center, the former Cardinal Club merged with the Capital City Club in 2014 and underwent a $3 million renovation.

Downtown seen from the green-roof terrace at The Residences at Quorum Center. The 15-story building was completed in 2006 as one of the first mixed-use (residential and commercial) projects downtown.

A young resident looks for fireworks on Fourth of July from the SkyHouse rooftop.

Reflections create an illusory effect on the cityscape.

Photographer Tim Lytvinenko captures his reflection from a balcony at SkyHouse.

Downtown appears on the horizon as seen from the top of the CapTrust building at North Hills.