Progress Continues on American Tobacco Project
The above rendering shows the master plan for the American Tobacco Campus. |
The American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham continues to come to life, a sleeping giant that is raising its head and shaking off the dust to begin again. Capitol Broadcasting Company and the AJ Fletcher Foundation have been spearheading the conversion of the 16-acre stretch of abandoned warehouses into a living, breathing part of the Bull City.
The restoration and upgrade of the property remains on schedule, according to American Tobacco General Manager Peter Anlyan.
“I think the most interesting element right now is the design of the campus,” said Anlyan. “It will be dominated by a water feature. Water will run from the north end near the coal shed to cascading waterfalls at the south end by the Fowler Building.”
Seen from the vantage point of the Reed Building, the courtyard will soon be transformed into a water fall & amphitheatre. |
Stacks of antique bricks removed during the work on the Washington Building are being saved for other use on the project. |
Anlyan added that a canopied stage on an island will soon be located at the base of the water tower, facing a large sloping lawn with an amphitheatre suitable for festivals, concerts and presentations. MIX 101.5/WRAL-FM has already agreed to launch its second Alive After Five concert series to take place in the 1,000 person capacity amphitheatre.
AT Real Estate Associate Michael Goodmon also added that, “We have just signed on Colliers Pinkard as our landlord broker and are excited with some fresh tenant leads being thrown in the mix.”
Scaffolding sets the stage for renovation of the floors & ceiling in the Reed Building. |
A view from atop the Strickland building shows the work going on in the courtyard below. |
In the coming days, American Tobacco officials will announce a new tenant for the project. Anchor tenants IBM, Duke University, GlaxoSmithKline and Compuware have already committed to the project and are in the process of designing their space in the facilities. GSK will be the first tenant to move in, slated now for May 2004.
American Tobacco is now courting restaurants to add to the complex. Starbucks and a deli have already committed, and Anlyan is hoping to sign a Taproom with good family food and two upscale lunch/dinner operations.
Thanks to Ben Casey & the American Tobacco District for these capcom photos.
