Dorton Arena

Dorton Arena is a multipurpose hall in Raleigh with an unusual hyperbolic roof structure that catches the eye immediately. The interior provides spacious areas for events, featuring an open design typical of mid-20th century modern construction.

Built in the 1950s as a symbol of technological progress, it showcased revolutionary construction techniques for its time. Today it is recognized as a historic landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The building represents post-war optimism in the region and shaped how the city thought about public gathering spaces. You can feel how ambitious construction changed what was possible for community events.

The venue is within walking distance of downtown and has accessible entrances on multiple sides. It is best to arrive early, especially during events, as parking can be limited.

The hyperbolic roof shape was achieved using tension cables, a construction technique that was rare at the time. This design principle is still used in modern buildings today, showing how ahead of its time the architecture was.

Location: Raleigh

Inception: 1953

Architects: Maciej Nowicki, Stanisława Nowicka

Official opening: 1952

Architectural style: modern architecture

Height: 27.4 m

GPS coordinates: 35.79361,-78.71000

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:27