Close to the heart of Durham’s urban core, the American Tobacco district offers fast-paced, upscale city living. “The biggest advantage of living here is that you can walk everywhere,” says Realtor Eila Voloshen of Urban Durham Realty, a Durham local since 2009. The American Tobacco Campus, a series of historic tobacco factory buildings revamped into a trendy multipurpose commercial complex, anchors the east side of the neighborhood. The Durham Bulls Athletic Park and Durham Performing Arts Center are just a block away. Downtown is a few blocks north. “The proximity to the Bulls baseball stadium, the performing arts center and downtown is a huge draw,” Voloshen says. “Sometimes people buy these homes as their second home, so they have the option to live that city lifestyle within walking distance to all this nightlife and entertainment whenever they want.” Angie Murphy, sales and marketing consultant with Copper Builders, agrees, adding that the community has a “very urban, modern and luxurious” feel.
The American Tobacco District is Durhams complete work and entertainment destination.
The American Tobacco offers fast-paced, upscale city living in Durham’s urban core.
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Retailers/restaurants galore between ATC, Brightleaf and downtown
The American Tobacco Campus, or ATC, got its start as a busy industrial center for tobacco processing in the late 1800s. Today, the historic tobacco factory complex-turned-outdoor mall features acres of industrial-chic office space, retailers and restaurants. “It’s very pretty. Everything is brick, and there’s a little stream with waterfalls running through it,” Voloshen says, adding that the campus is centered around the historic Lucky Strike Water Tower, an iconic local landmark. Three of her favorite ATC eateries are Press Coffee, Crepes & Cocktails, a European-inspired café, NanaSteak, a sleek American steakhouse, and Tobacco Road Sports Café. “Tobacco Road is the restaurant that overlooks the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, and on July 4th, you have a view of the ballpark fireworks.” ATC is also home to a barber shop, hair salon, stationery store and the YMCA at American Tobacco.
There’s more shopping and dining in nearby Brightleaf Square, another cluster of historic tobacco warehouses revamped into a chic shopping center. It’s home to Bull City Art & Frame Company, Hamilton Hill Jewelry, Paddywax Candle Bar and more. “There are so many good restaurants there, too,” Voloshen says. Nikos is a popular spot for Greek food; Zweli’s serves up authentic Zimbabwean fare; Goorsha is known for its traditional Ethiopian cuisine. Durham Central Park, in downtown just ½ a mile from American Tobacco, hosts a weekly farmers market on Saturday mornings between April and November. Downtown is home to its own array of popular local dining spots. Murphy recommends Mother & Sons Trattoria for Italian, M Sushi for Japanese and Pizzeria Toro for woodfired pies. And just a couple miles up West Main Street, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods offer grocery staples.
PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails serves craft coffees, crepes and cocktails.
Downtown Durham and American Tobacco is home to Pizzeria Toro and an array of restaurants.
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Next door to the Bulls ballpark and DPAC
The Durham Bulls Athletic Park is just east of the American Tobacco Campus, next to the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC). The stadium is home to the city’s minor league baseball team; during game season, American Tobacco residents can hear the crowd and the crack of the bats through their open windows. DPAC hosts Broadway performances, live music and comedy shows. Voloshen says proximity to the two entertainment venues is a big draw for homebuyers. “Usually, people have to drive in and struggle for parking, but if you live here you can walk.”
Durham Bulls Athletic Park is a 10,000-seat ballpark in Durham, NC.
The DPAC in American Tobacco features comedy shows, live music and Broadway performances.
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Modern townhomes and condos
Housing here is modern compared to some of the surrounding urban core. While there are apartments available in renovated, historic factory buildings, the neighborhood’s condos and townhomes were built in the 2020s. Some are still under construction. Murphy says the Arbor Vista townhome community’s expected completion date is April 2026. “There will be 56 townhomes total,” she says, adding that construction began on the first two buildings in 2024. They range in price between about $509,000 for a 1,698-square-foot unit to just over $774,000 for a 2,051-square-foot unit. Condos, such as those in the nearby City Port and City Port 2 buildings, run anywhere from $199,900 to about $585,000. Studios and one-bedroom condo units between 400 and 700 square feet fall on the low end of the spectrum, while two and three-bedroom units between 800 and 1200 square feet sit on the high end.
Renovated factories and warehouses line the streets of the American Tobacco neighborhood.
Modern & Contemporary condos are popular in the American Tobacco neighborhood.
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High school agriscience program; Duke and NCCU nearby
Neighborhood students attend schools in the Durham Public Schools district. Many go to George Watts Elementary, which earns an A-minus from Niche, and Brogden Middle, which gets a C. The B-plus-graded Jordan High School offers 20 Advanced Placement classes and an Agriscience Pathway Program. Students in the agriscience program can choose to concentrate their coursework in animal science, biotech or horticulture.
Duke University’s East and West campuses are both within a couple miles of the community. West Campus is southwest across the Durham Freeway while East Campus is on the American Tobacco side of the main road. “It’s pretty walkable to Duke, especially East Campus,” Voloshen says. “It’s about a 20-minute walk from here, or you could easily ride your bike.” The private research university offers more than 200 undergraduate programs. North Carolina Central University is also close by, just south across the freeway. The historically Black public university offers nearly 100 undergraduate programs.
Jordan High School is located in Durham, NC.
Duke University is a private research university in Durham, NC.
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Walkable city living
With the Brightleaf District and downtown just blocks away, the community is largely walkable. “You can live here and not even own a car, just walk everywhere you need to go,” Voloshen says. GoDurham bus stops line main thoroughfares in and around the neighborhood, with routes that connect all over town. The Durham Freeway runs along American Tobacco’s southwest side, heading northwest toward Duke University Hospital, a major local employer, and southwest toward Interstate 885. Research Triangle Park, home to several big employers in the region, is about 8 miles southwest. The drive takes about 15 minutes via the freeway and I-885.
The Durham Farmer's market takes place on the weekends near the American Tobacco neighborhood.
GoDurham bus stops are scattered through out the American Tobacco neighborhood.
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Crime
American Tobacco has a CAP Index crime score of 10 out of 10, much higher than the national average of 4 out of 10. Property crime CAP Index scores are also 10 out of 10 while violent crime categories range between 7 and 9 out of 10.
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Seize this exceptional investment opportunity in the heart of Durham's thriving Tobacco District! Located within walking distance of the iconic Durham Bulls Ballpark and the renowned Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), this prime lot is ideal for visionary developers looking to capitalize on a high-demand, high-visibility location. Perfect for residential, commercial, or mixed-use projects in
Attention all Medical Providers, Students, and Investors - you must see this condo! Duke University Hospital and Duke Universtiy are only a 1.5 bike ride away. You can walk to the Durham Bulls stadium. Grill up a few burgers and dogs on the rooftop deck for friends and family; the nightime view is amazing! Enjoy downtown living in the Historic American Tobacco District of Durham. Walkable
Live in the heart of it all at Arbor Vista, where convenience meets elevated comfort. Sip coffee on your private rooftop terrace, stroll tonearby parks or restaurants, and retreat each day to refined interiors built for real life. With spacious open-concept layouts, a private garage for secure, lock- and-leave living, and luxurious finishes throughout, Arbor Vista combines ease with elegance.
Our residential living is in the historic Old Bull building and the Noell building. The Noell building has fewer apartments (13) and have more of a townhouse feel. In Old Bull, we have (66) apartments, a mixture of brand new apartments that have just been completed this year with high end finishes, as well as updated apartments that are very urban-industrial cool!
Be the first to live in this brand-new, four-level townhome located in downtown Durham, with convenient access to the Durham Freeway for an easy commute.The home offers two entries - through a one-car garage at the rear alley or via a sidewalk entrance in front. The home features wood style luxury vinyl plank flooring on all four levels.The main level includes a flexible room that
With downtown skyline views and walkability to City Center and historic districts, our apartments near Duke University connect you to the heart of city living. Designer features like quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances will make you proud to call any of our studio, one and two-bedroom apartments in Downtown Durham home. Nicknamed “Bull City” in the late 1800s for its tobacco
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Leigh Ann Rasberry,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,447
Median Age
36
Population Density
19 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$59,705
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$61,421
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.6%
College Graduates
50.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.5%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
68.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
81/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
84/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
67/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
