'Mixed emotions': Durham residents react to downtown construction boom

New numbers show development in downtown Durham is booming again.

There are 2,200 residential units – apartments, condos, townhomes and houses – under construction as of Thursday afternoon, according to data provided by Downtown Durham Inc.

"The majority of what we see coming out [of] the ground is residential development, multi-family," said Downtown Durham Inc. CEO Nicole Thompson. "We do like that we are seeing a little bit more home ownership opportunities."

So far this year, 214 residential units have gotten built downtown.

Here’s a look at the number of downtown units completed by calendar year:

• 2018: 466 units
  • One City Center: 109 apartment units, 30 condo units
  • Bullhouse Apartments: 305 apartment units
  • Mangum Flats: 22 condo units
• 2019: 646 units
  • The Bartlett: 34 condo units
  • Brightleaf on Main: 194 apartment units
  • Van Alen Apartments: 418 apartment units
• 2020: 506 units
  • Foster on the Park: 164 apartment units
  • Cortland Bull City: 342 apartment units
• 2021: 93 units (82 affordable)
  • Willard Street Apartments: 82 affordable units
  • Eleven: 11 condo units
• 2022: 214 units completed as of June 30
  • Atlas Durham: 171 apartment units
  • City Port: 43 condo units

"Would I have imagined this when I was in downtown in 1993? Probably not," Thompson said. "It is quick. It’s happening pretty quickly."

There are 2,200 units under construction in downtown Durham.

• The Firefly: Four apartment units
• The George: 40 condo units
• The Vega: 59 condo units
• The Rigsbee: 82 apartment units
• 300 E Main St Site 1: 105 affordable units
• Aura 509: 182 apartment units
• GeerHouse: 220 apartment units
• Venable Durham Apartments: 221 apartment units
• The Ramsey: 241 apartment units
• The Novus: 188 apartment units; 54 condo units
• Beckon: 263 apartment units
• Camden Durham: 354 apartment units
• 608 Mangum: Six townhome units
• The Willow Durham: 14 condo units
• Array Durham: 18 condo units
• 120 Broadway Street: 25 townhome units
• The Terraces at Morehead Hill: 25 townhome units
• Elliott Square: 37 townhome units
• The Grove: 62 townhome units

As of June 30, downtown Durham has a total of 4,521 existing residential units, according to Downtown Durham Inc.

"We estimate if everything that is announced actually comes to fruition, probably within the next five years, we’ll double our population downtown," Thompson said.

WRAL News spoke to Durham residents about what they think of the downtown development.

“I’m glad to see Durham growing for sure,” said Durham resident Catie King.

King said she loves living in Durham, works downtown and is not surprised by the growth. It aligns with the city's growing popularity. King hopes the character that makes Durham so special will stay.

“I think the biggest transition that I have mixed emotions about is all the six-story apartment buildings crowding every single corner,” King said. “[There are] a lot of those cookie-cutter apartments everywhere, but all the people moving here need a place to live.”

King acknowledged many of the tech companies coming to the Bull City and throughout the Triangle. That includes plans for a Meta office. Meta is the parent company of Facebook.

“All the tech jobs in the area are certainly attracting a different demographic,” King said. “So, hopefully, Durham will be cognizant of what that means for our culture and protecting those who may be disenfranchised by the growth.”

Affordability is a big concern as well.

According to this year's State of Downtown Durham Report, which is conducted by Downtown Durham, Inc., the average rent is $1,800. The average condo sale price is around $500,000.

Durham resident Josh Feierman has lived in the city for about 20 years.

“Some of it I like, some of it is a little much,” he said. “I’m in favor of making better use of downtown, I suppose. I just don’t like to see all of the people who are getting priced out of Durham.