Move-in ready: Take a first peek inside Durham’s newest 27-story skyscraper
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- The Novus opens in Durham as the city's second 27-story downtown skyscraper.
- The tower houses 54 condos, 188 rental units, and 22,000 square feet of retail.
- Amenities include sky lounge, golf simulators, pickleball, pool and coworking space.
Durham’s newest 27-story skyscraper is officially open.
Three years after breaking ground, Austin Lawrence Partners (ALP) released the first images of a model unit inside The Novus, a new glassy high-rise at 400 W. Main St. in Durham’s Five Points district.
First impressions give mid-century modern vibes, with clean lines, simple shapes, and the use of natural materials, like teak and rosewood.
Other snapshots show black slate appliances, retro lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of American Tobacco campus and the iconic Lucky Strike smokestack.
“The new photos offer a glimpse into the elevated lifestyle awaiting residents,” said Zach Prager, ALP’s director of investments.
The Novus is part of a wave of new construction hitting the market amid a post-pandemic construction boom. It replaces the South Bank building that stood on the site for nearly 50 years before being demolished in 2022.
It’s the city’s second 27-story building downtown.
ALP also built the first — One City Center — in 2018. (That’s about the limit under the downtown 300-foot height limit.)
The Novus includes 54 luxury condominiums and 22,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.
Among the amenities: putting greens and golf simulators, spaces to work remotely, a pickleball court, an outdoor movie theater, a dog park, pool, hot tub, cold plunge and steam room.
On the 28th floor, residents also have access to a sky lounge and clubroom.
The building, in partnership with Global Holdings, began preleasing 188 rental units last month. Offerings include one- and two- bedroom apartments, ranging from 512 square feet to 1,305 square feet.
Prices start at around $2,155 and go up to $5,407.
Meanwhile, over 85% of the condos have been sold with eight still available, the firm said.
Online listings show many units still available with prices starting at $919,900. The priciest is listed at over $4 million.
Three retail tenants have been lined up to open this summer: Revel, a locally owned cycling studio, the Pilates studio Solidcore, and Dose Yoga + Smoothie Bar.
Jane and Greg Hills, the husband-and-wife team behind ALP, began investing in Durham in 2011. (Greg Hills graduated from Duke University in 1976.)
In addition to The Novus and One City Center, their firm is also behind the Unscripted Hotel Durham, revamping one of the city’s most iconic buildings — the former Jack Tar Motel.
The News & Observer’s Inside Look takes readers behind the scenes to illuminate the people and places in our community.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Move-in ready: Take a first peek inside Durham’s newest 27-story skyscraper."
