ABOUT DOWNTOWN DURHAM

A new era has emerged.

It’s an exciting time for Durham. With a major revitalization plan now becoming a reality, Historic Parrish Street is right in the heart of it. Two of the largest historic renovation projects in North Carolina are located in downtown Durham, and all of this economic development reflects the thriving, robust economy of the new South.

American Tobacco Historic District
http://www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com/
Springing from beautiful, old tobacco warehouses, this district is adjacent to the Durham Bulls ballpark – one of the best places to spend a warm summer evening. A number of innovative companies have chosen to bring their offices here, including GlaxoSmithKline, Duke University and Smith Breeden Associates. In the fall of 2008, the Durham Performing Arts Center opened for the first time. In American Tobacco, visitors find a variety of restaurants and pubs, a YMCA fitness center, bike trails, retail shops and a lively nightlife with concerts in its common area, next to the old Lucky Strike smokestack.

Brightleaf District
http://www.historicbrightleaf.com/
These charming brick buildings once punctuated Durham’s skyline and were used to store and age tobacco. Today, they have come to life with people lingering in the courtyard at cafes, businesses bustling in the renovated office space and unique retail stores drawing customers to this exclusive setting. Eclectic eateries and shops are just some of the reasons that people come to downtown Durham and Brightleaf Square.

Brightleaf Square District

Central Park District
http://www.durhamcentralpark.org/
This area serves as the community backyard for downtown Durham. Renovated historic buildings, including the Brodie Duke Warehouse and Imperial Building, surround a green park area and the historic Durham Athletic Park. With the Durham Farmer’s Market, artist studios, biotech companies, performance theaters, exclusive lofts and the community’s main YMCA facility all located in the Central Park district, this area is carefully designed to blend work, housing and leisure.

Central Park District

Warehouse District
http://www.bluedevilventures.com/westvillage.html
Largely residential, this district offers downtown loft living in the center of the city. Creative companies share the expansive, old brick two-story space with tasty restaurants. And West Village also features a wide range of upscale loft condominiums and apartments, enough space for more than 1,000 residents and 1,000 employees.

Warehouse District