As part of a major revitalization of downtown Durham, N.C., locally based Capitol Broadcasting Company decided to transform the American Tobacco Company's derelict 16-acre industrial plant, which symbolized the city for more than a century, into a lively and attractive mixed-use development.
![]() |
PHOTO: CAPITOL BROADCASTING COMPANY |
Although tearing down and rebuilding the property would have made more economic sense, the greater goal of building up downtown Durham and preserving history prevailed. Consequently, the city's largest ever historic preservation project got under way with a major environmental cleanup of the area.
Now, instead of blight, the bright new development features residential, office, restaurant, entertainment, and retail.
To preserve the historic nature of the original American Tobacco plant, only building materials that were available during the plant's lifetime (1874-1987) were used. Where new concrete had to be poured next to existing concrete, it was stressed and stained to match. Similarly, specialty brick masons were brought in to reconstruct old brickwork and craft new brick elements with the same designs and patterns found in the original buildings.
![]() |
PHOTO: BOB HUGHES PHOTOGRAPHY |
One welcome feature is the incorporation of water throughout the project. Working with water feature consultant W.P. Law Inc., the Building Team, led by Atlanta architecture firm Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates, designed a scenic river, starting at the north end of the site and running south along the old loading docks and train tracks. Toward the center of the campus, the river splits into a beautiful, multi-level pool as it runs through a sprawling, green park.
Ultimately, the waters descend into the Fowler Courtyard via a refreshing waterfall, varying in height from three feet to 15 feet. A hidden reservoir then utilizes three 75-hp pumps to send water a quarter mile upstream, back to its headwaters.
Only trees and plants common to the community during the tobacco plant's operation were chosen for the landscaping. So as not to obstruct the project's architectural and scenic features, fewer and larger trees were selected.
![]() |
Water features are significant additions to the American Tobacco Company’s grounds. The river runs along the lawn and under a bridge, past “ruins” constructed of old concrete slabs (left). The river terminates at the Fowler Courtyard, where it’s pumped back upstream to its headwaters. PHOTO: JEAN C. ALDY |
Another nature-friendly feature involved converting the old railroad tracks into bike trails for a “Rails to Trails” program.
Project guidelines stipulated that new buildings on the site had to conform to façade guidelines and could not obstruct views of the old buildings. The original water tower was preserved, while an amphitheater and stage were built below.
Local artists were commissioned to design art sculptures utilizing reclaimed machinery and materials from the old plant.
As is the case in many historic projects, no construction documents were found, so structural engineers from Morrison Engineers were on site to document existing structural conditions during demolition and reinforce structures as needed.
On the mechanical side, mechanical engineer Stantec Consulting largely kept the original plant's exposed mechanical and plumbing systems. The Building Team also went back in time to find ways to cool the buildings, utilizing the facility's extraordinarily thick walls and full basements to retain coolness.
At 1.5 million sf, the American Tobacco Project ranks as the largest redevelopment of a tobacco mill in North Carolina.
“It's a fantastic intervention in a decaying urban community,” said BD+C Renovation Awards judge Robert L. Selby, FAIA, Associate Director for Graduate Studies at the University of Illinois School of Architecture.
Related Stories
| Apr 9, 2014
Colossal aquarium in China sets five Guinness World Records
With its seven salt and fresh water aquariums, totaling 12.87 million gallons, the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park is considered the world’s largest aquarium.
| Apr 9, 2014
Steel decks: 11 tips for their proper use | BD+C
Building Teams have been using steel decks with proven success for 75 years. Building Design+Construction consulted with technical experts from the Steel Deck Institute and the deck manufacturing industry for their advice on how best to use steel decking.
| Apr 8, 2014
Gehry, Foster unveil plans for Battersea Power Station redevelopment [slideshow]
Phase 3 of the massive redevelopment of the London landmark will include more than 1,300 residential units, a 160-room hotel, and 350,000 sf of retail space.
| Apr 2, 2014
8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications
Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.
| Mar 26, 2014
Callison launches sustainable design tool with 84 proven strategies
Hybrid ventilation, nighttime cooling, and fuel cell technology are among the dozens of sustainable design techniques profiled by Callison on its new website, Matrix.Callison.com.
| Mar 26, 2014
Zaha Hadid's glimmering 'cultural hub of Seoul' opens with fashion, flair [slideshow]
The new space, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, is a blend of park and cultural spaces meant for the public to enjoy.
| Mar 25, 2014
Sydney breaks ground on its version of the High Line elevated park [slideshow]
The 500-meter-long park will feature bike paths, study pods, and outdoor workspaces.
Sponsored | | Mar 21, 2014
Kameleon Color paint creates color-changing, iridescent exterior for Exploration Tower at Port Canaveral
Linetec finishes Firestone’s UNA-CLAD panels, achieving a one-of-a-kind, dynamic appearance with the first use of Valspar’s new Kameleon Color
| Mar 20, 2014
Common EIFS failures, and how to prevent them
Poor workmanship, impact damage, building movement, and incompatible or unsound substrate are among the major culprits of EIFS problems.
| Mar 13, 2014
Do you really 'always turn right'?
The first visitor center we designed was the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center for the Everglades National Park in 1993. I remember it well for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the ongoing dialogue we had with our retail consultant. He insisted that the gift shop be located on the right as one exited the visitor center because people “always turn right.”