Sunset At American Tobacco

Sunset at American Tobacco Campus A thriving rivitalized home to businesses and entertainment, the rich red brick is typical of the old tobacco company warehouses & manufacturing plant.

“In 2004, the Capitol Broadcasting Company, owner of the Durham Bulls, re-opened the old tobacco campus and began a renovation that would change the trajectory of Durham. Capitol Broadcasting would invest over $200 million renovating the factory buildings into a Class A office, entertainment and residential complex that has been recognized nationally as the definitive example of re-purposing and re-developing historic properties.”  http://www.americantobaccohistoricdistrict.com

The iconic Lucky Strike tower and smoke stack in the central area of the Tobacco Village dominate the scene of a revitalization of Durham still in progress.

This post started out as a couple new shots of sunset from a couple days ago. I’ve shot in and around the Tobacco Campus several times over the last few years, so I’ve added few older images from some of my favorite details at the American Tobacco campus.

The tin roof covers what was the old train track running through to pick up the tobacco for transport on the Tobacco Trail to points across the country.

Giant butresses support from below in he old industrial complex

Part of an employee lunch counter.  At some point the front was filled with concrete half way up, I believe it is to be uncovered and restored.

They used the old Detroit Rotograte for coal power to run the trains and conveyers for tobacco transport.

The renovations have re-purposed the huge storage bays as event venues. Beautiful wood floors, exposed fittings and brick add to the charm still present from the industrial era.