Durham, North Carolina: Redefining Innovation in Urban Living

In the late 1980s, the exit of major tobacco industry players seemed to seal Durham's fate. Historically, the city’s prosperity—contributing to one of the nation’s renowned “Black Wall Streets”—had relied on companies like American Tobacco and Liggett & Myers since the Civil War era.

As the cash crop industry dwindled by the close of the 20th century, downtown Durham earned the nickname 'the doughnut hole' due to its emptiness. Yet, a couple of decades later, the city has successfully revitalized itself.

Since 2000, downtown Durham has attracted $1.7 billion in public and private investment, featuring over 60 retail outlets and 100 dining establishments. As North Carolina’s fourth largest city, it has garnered significant attention, bolstered by innovations from Research Triangle Park—the largest research park in the U.S., primarily located in Durham County—set to host a future Apple campus. Tech giant Meta has also secured office space in the city. With a population nearing 300,000, Durham anticipates a doubling in numbers over the next 25 years, preparing for growth with plans for seven new skyscrapers by 2025.

Nevertheless, the streets of downtown Durham are lined with independent businesses, highlighting the talents of artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs. According to the 2022 State of Downtown Durham report, 90 percent of retail, restaurant, and personal services in the area originate from North Carolina, with 70 percent having started in Durham itself.

Durham’s commitment to its community is evident in the collaborative nature of its spaces, from restaurants incorporating podcast studios to hotels dedicating elevator walls to local artists. This embodies a vibrant, community-driven creativity. Adam Klein, chief strategist at the Durham-based startup incubator American Underground, explains, “[Durham’s culture] is a mosaic where everyone riffs off each other's contributions. People bring their unique backgrounds and cuisines, eager to add to the community. It’s a fascinating place to explore—delightfully random and pleasantly surprising.”

As real estate prices rise in the city for both businesses and residents, Cara Rousseau from Discover Durham encapsulates the city’s philosophy: what benefits the locals also enhances the experience for visitors. For travelers, the joy of discovering these community-centric spaces fosters a sense of whimsy and encourages exploration.

If you find yourself in Durham, take your time and connect with the locals—they can guide you to the city’s hidden gems.

Must-Visit Innovative Spots in Downtown Durham

American Tobacco Campus

Following the decline of tobacco, government and private sector leaders, including Capitol Broadcasting Corporation, took revitalization into their own hands, investing $200 million to transform the American Tobacco Campus. This 2015 project revamped the old factory into a vibrant 14.5-acre mixed-use space that hosts concerts, documentary festivals, local brews from Tobacco Road, craft retail shops like Parker & Otis, and the headquarters for renowned brands like Burt’s Bees. The campus blends its past with innovative decor, including a retired train and a man-made river, while the iconic water tower marked 'LUCKY STRIKE' serves as a nod to its history.

In 2020, the campus announced plans for a 780,000-square-foot expansion, with the first phase expected to be completed around 2024–25. However, the focus is on quality tenants, not just filling empty spaces. American Underground, a startup hub dedicated to uplifting local entrepreneurs, particularly women and people of color, is leading this charge. The hub has already introduced the Puerto Rican concept Boricua Soul and aims to highlight other innovative entrepreneurs in Durham.

“There are fascinating instances of Durham real estate firms collaborating with local restaurateurs eager to test new ideas. But the question remains: what happens after the pop-up?” Klein remarks. “As Durham continues to evolve, it will feature anchor restaurants and attractions that draw people in to experience the local culture.”

Durham Food Hall

The concept of anchoring is evident in private ventures like the Durham Food Hall, a 15,000-square-foot venue located about a 15-minute walk from the American Tobacco Campus. Opened in 2020, this red-brick hall serves as a collaborative space for locally-owned eateries eager to experiment. One of the restaurants, Ex-Voto, focuses on the art of tortilla-making, showcasing how nixtamal corn can enhance the flavor of burritos and tacos. Another vendor, Little Barb’s Bakery, allows home baker Barbara Nigro to share her beloved peanut butter cakes and pastries in a brick-and-mortar setting. While the seven concepts each have unique goals, they collectively embody the food hall's mission: to nurture local talent through principles of sustainability, responsible sourcing, and inclusivity.

Queeny’s and Kingfisher

When Michelle Vanderwalker and Sean Umstead launched their downtown Durham restaurant Queeny’s in 2021, their vision was clear: to create a space where people felt welcome to relax and gather. Their menu, featuring items from birria sandwiches to acorn squash, offers a fresh take on comfort food. They transformed two additional rooms into spaces for community engagement rather than dining. Now, visitors can lounge on cozy sofas surrounded by curated books or record podcasts in the dedicated room at the back of the restaurant—no rental fee required.

Michelle describes these additions as essential to fostering an environment that is both “welcoming and supportive.” This philosophy extends to Kingfisher, a James Beard-recognized craft cocktail bar they opened in 2019, known for its innovative cocktails made with local ingredients, such as rice daiquiris and butternut squash-infused bourbons. While the top floor features dimly lit, intimate tables, the ground floor serves as a gallery for installations from local artists.

Where to Stay in Durham

21c Durham

Combining the functions of a hotel and an art museum, 21c hotels present contemporary art with a goal of connecting and revitalizing local communities through creativity. Established in 2015, the nine-hotel chain chose Durham as its fourth location, allocating over 10,000 square feet for exhibitions and events. Each 21c hotel features a rotating selection of 21st-century art, all accessible for free to visitors, including those not staying at the hotel.

Until May 2023, the exhibition This We Believe is showcased across the bottom three floors, featuring images of women with firearms, collages of national currencies, and other media to illustrate how belief systems shape society. Additionally, the hotel supports local creatives by regularly featuring their work, such as Whitney Stanley’s We Just Be exhibition in 21c’s Vault Gallery.