Why a big apartment complex is coming to one of Durham’s oldest neighborhoods
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- Construction begins on Vara Trinity Park, a 267-unit apartment project near Trinity Park.
- The development will include three 4- and 5-story buildings.
- About 20% of units are planned for households at around 60% of area median income.
Charlotte-based Spectrum Companies has broken ground on a 267‑unit apartment project in one of Durham’s most established neighborhoods — another sign that demand is pushing multifamily growth deeper into residential areas.
The Vara Trinity Park project sits at 1618 N. Duke St. on the northern edge of Trinity Park — a transitional stretch that links historic single-family blocks with one of Durham’s largest redevelopment zones. It’s next door to a church and about a quarter mile from the soon-to-be-revitalized former Northgate Mall.
Amid a growing housing crunch, it will bring three 4- and 5-story buildings offering one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
Michael Simmons, the firm’s senior director of development, said Durham continues to demonstrate “strong demand” for multifamily housing. He pointed to the city’s population growth, broad job base and proximity to the Research Triangle.
“We believe this community will add to Trinity Park’s already rich fabric,” he said.
No rent levels have been disclosed.
In nearby Walltown — one of the city’s oldest historically Black neighborhoods — residents have pressed for affordable housing amid rising costs and inflation.
On Friday, a Spectrum spokesperson told The N&O that about 20% of units are planned for households at around 60% of the area median income. That’s about $48,600 for an individual and about $69,360 for a family of four, according to the latest federal data. It’s being facilitated through a public-private partnership with the Durham Housing Authority.
Spectrum’s footprint also includes a 315‑unit apartment and 50‑townhome community underway in Wendell Falls, about 15 miles east of downtown Raleigh, and a small portfolio of Raleigh‑area office properties.
Durham’s Northgate area
For years, the city and private developers have been looking for ways to revive the Northgate corridor.
Last month, Florida-based Regency Centers announced Target will anchor the mall’s redevelopment.
The decision frustrated many residents who had hoped for something more community focused, including affordable housing, green space, a library branch, grocery store and primary-care clinic.
Walltown has already seen major demographic and income shifts in recent years. It’s changed from being about 60% Black in the 1990s, to about 53% white as of 2023. The median household income has also increased to about $83,000.
At a recent council meeting, some expressed fear that more gentrification will continue to price out longtime residents.
Kristen Johnson contributed to this story.
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 2:57 PM with the headline "Why a big apartment complex is coming to one of Durham’s oldest neighborhoods."
