NC Executive Downtown Heliport

Urban Redevelopment. The heliport was removed as part of a major downtown revitalization project. The site was cleared to make way for the construction of the new, modern Raleigh Convention Center, which officially opened in 2008.

The site has been completely redeveloped and is unrecognizable from its previous state. The exact coordinates of the former heliport now fall upon the southern portion of the Raleigh Convention Center building and the adjacent Red Hat Amphitheater, a popular outdoor concert venue.

The NC Executive Downtown Heliport served as a private aviation facility providing direct vertical-lift access to the heart of Raleigh. Its primary function was to handle executive and VIP transport for individuals conducting business downtown or attending events at the Raleigh Civic and Convention Center. It offered a convenient alternative to driving from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) for corporate leaders, politicians, and other high-profile visitors. The heliport was a symbol of corporate infrastructure in the city before the large-scale redevelopment of the early 21st century.

There are no prospects for reopening this heliport. The original infrastructure was completely demolished, and the land has been repurposed for major public event venues. Current city planning for downtown Raleigh does not include the re-establishment of a heliport at this location. Official helicopter operations in the downtown area are now primarily handled by other facilities, such as the Wake County Justice Center Heliport (1NC3).