American Tobacco Campus

What American Tobacco Campus does

American Tobacco Campus (ATC) is a mixed-use commercial real estate campus in Downtown Durham, North Carolina, owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company and operated through CBC Real Estate. The campus is built on the site of the historic 1890 American Tobacco Factory and spans multiple blocks including the Fowler, Washington, Power Plant, Crowe, and Noell buildings. It houses creative office space, 15+ restaurants and retailers, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays), the Durham Performing Arts Center (consistently ranked among America's top-five theaters and attracting 500,000+ guests annually), Bay 7 (a 10,000 sq ft event venue), American Underground coworking (275+ startups), luxury residential apartments, and fitness/wellness facilities including a forthcoming 65,000 sq ft YMCA. The campus supports 4,000+ daily workers and welcomes over one million visitors per year.

ATC generates revenue through three primary streams: recurring office and retail leasing (brokered by Eli Bell and Jeanne Stroud of CBC), usage-based parking fees via the ParkMobile App across three parking decks, and transaction-based event and venue rentals (Bay 7 is managed by Angus Barn). Pricing is not publicly disclosed for office/retail leases; parking is free for the first two hours on weekdays and all day on weekends (excluding events). Its customer base spans enterprise office tenants (Dollar Shave Club HQ), business nonprofits (Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce), restaurants and retailers (Boricua Soul, NanaSteak, Mellow Mushroom, MilkShake Factory, Lutra Cafe & Bakery), event attendees (DBAP, DPAC, Bay 7, Luftgekühlt 11), residential tenants, and the Durham startup community via American Underground.

ATC's GTM motion combines direct enterprise leasing sales (sales-led) with an event-driven traffic engine (concerts, sports, comedy, community programming) that supports footfall-based tenants and venue economics. Marketing is executed through the americantobacco.co website, Instagram (@americantobaccocampus), Facebook, email newsletter, and a calendar subscription system, supplemented by earned media coverage (Time Magazine, The Atlantic, TechCrunch).

Name

American Tobacco Campus

Legal name

American Tobacco Campus

Website

https://americantobacco.co

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

American Tobacco Campus is a mixed-use commercial real estate campus in Downtown Durham, NC, operated by CBC Real Estate (Capitol Broadcasting Company). It hosts 4,000+ daily workers and 1M+ annual visitors across creative office space, 15+ restaurants/retailers, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, DPAC, Bay 7 events, American Underground coworking, and residential/fitness amenities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mixed-Use Commercial Real Estate

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention Campus & District Operators (Integrated Venue Districts) (THAHAAAL)

Keywords

• Commercial real estate leasing
• Creative office space
• Mixed-use development
• Event venue rental
• Coworking space

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Office and Retail Leasing: The campus generates revenue by leasing flexible creative office space and retail locations to businesses of all sizes. Spaces include both newly constructed and historic renovated factory spaces with views of Durham Bulls Athletic Park and downtown Durham.
2. Parking Fees: Parking is managed through the ParkMobile App. Generally free for the first two hours unless there is a Bulls Game or special event. Longer usage is charged via the app or pay stations in each deck.
3. Events and Venue Rental: The campus hosts events throughout the year including concerts, sports games, comedy shows, and special events that draw visitors to the campus. Bay 7 venue offers 10,000 SF of flexible event space for parties, conferences, and weddings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

American Tobacco Campus is a mixed-use commercial real estate campus that leases flexible creative office space and retail locations to businesses of all sizes, offers event venue rental through Bay 7, operates parking decks, runs the American Underground coworking community, and provides residential apartments. The campus also hosts and benefits from on-site entertainment anchors including the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and Durham Performing Arts Center, along with more than 15 restaurants and retail tenants.

Product overview

American Tobacco Campus is a mixed-use commercial real estate development in Durham, North Carolina, functioning as a creative office destination, entertainment venue, and live-work-play community. The campus features creative office space with over 4,000 daily workers, major entertainment venues including Durham Bulls Athletic Park (Triple-A baseball), Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC), and Bay 7 event space, diverse restaurants and retail establishments, American Underground coworking facilities, residential living options, and fitness services including YMCA and yoga studios. The campus welcomes over one million guests annually and serves as a hub for innovation, culture, and community in downtown Durham.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Creative Office Space Leasing Flexible, award-winning new and historic office space leased to businesses of all sizes in renovated factory buildings (Fowler, Washington, Power Plant, Crowe). The campus hosts 4,000+ daily workers and includes views of Durham Bulls Athletic Park and downtown Durham. Leasing inquiries handled by Eli Bell at CBC Real Estate.
• Retail Space Leasing Retail storefronts leased to restaurants and shops (15+ tenants including Boricua Soul, Mellow Mushroom, NanaSteak, QueenBurger, State of Golf, etc.) within the campus buildings. Leasing inquiries handled by Eli Bell at CBC Real Estate.
• Bay 7 Event Venue 10,000 SF award-winning event venue in a converted historic tobacco warehouse, accommodating 70-400 guests. Features panoramic windows, hardwood floors, exposed brick, steel girders, and a wraparound balcony. Managed by Angus Barn and used for parties, conferences, weddings, and corporate events.
• Parking Services Three parking decks (North, South, East) managed through the ParkMobile App and on-site pay stations. Free for the first two hours on weekdays (8 AM - 5 PM); weekends free unless a Bulls Game or special event is taking place.
• American Underground Coworking Premier startup and coworking community offering open coworking, customizable offices, a botanical library, indoor garden, podcast studio, and meeting rooms. Home to 275+ startups and small businesses, with programming partnerships including Google and Fidelity Center for Applied Technology.
• Residential Apartment Leasing Luxury residential apartments in the converted American Tobacco factory (the oldest all-brick tobacco factory in the country), offering walkable access to dining, retail, and entertainment. Leasing inquiries handled by Jeanne Stroud at CBC Raleigh.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million guests welcomed annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle (COT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2026The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle launched 'Live at Bay 7' - a nine-week interdisciplinary performance series featuring music, dance, theatre, and storytelling. Running January through March 2026, the series includes performances by RedBird Theater Company, The Monti Live Storytelling, and other Triangle artists.
• Greater Durham Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce relocated to a 7,000-square-foot second-floor space in the Washington Building at 324 Blackwell Street. The Chamber's new office includes a flexible 100-person event space, 20-25 seat boardroom, private offices, and open workstations. This strategic move positions the Chamber at the center of Durham's business ecosystem.
• LuftgekühltminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 October 2025Luftgekühlt is an annual meetup of Porsche owners founded by Patrick Long and Howie Idelson. Luft 11 was hosted at American Tobacco Campus - the largest event ever hosted by ATC with over 9,200 attendees. This was the first Luftgekühlt held on the U.S. East Coast.
• Dollar Shave ClubflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 September 2025Dollar Shave Club opened a 17,500-square-foot headquarters in the Crowe Building at American Tobacco Campus. Prior headquarters were in Los Angeles, California. The space features a terrace and breakroom overlooking Durham Bulls Athletic Park, flexible seating, and brand details. Space built for 80 employees with room to grow.
• YMCA of the TrianglecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2025The YMCA of the Triangle and CBC Real Estate are partnering to develop a new 65,000-square-foot Downtown Durham YMCA at American Tobacco Campus. Located at the corners of Pettigrew and Blackwell, the facility will feature an indoor pool, full basketball court, indoor track, group fitness studios, and rooftop terraces. Construction expected to begin in 2027.
• American UndergroundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2025American Underground (AU) is Durham's premier startup and coworking community that first launched in the basement of ATC in 2010. AU is returning to its original home at American Tobacco Campus in late 2025 with a new state-of-the-art space. AU will retain its Market Street and Kress locations while adding the new space at ATC. Design and construction are being led by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting and Consigli.
• Durham Bulls Athletic ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) has been a neighbor of American Tobacco Campus since 1995. The Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays brings top-tier International League baseball talent to the heart of Downtown Durham.
• Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPAC is consistently ranked among America's top-five theaters and attracts over 500,000 guests per year to its 200+ events. Located on the American Tobacco Campus, DPAC is a state-of-the-art center for live entertainment.
• Bay 7 (Angus Barn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBay 7 is a 10,000 SF award-winning event venue once used as a tobacco warehouse. Managed by the Angus Barn, it offers flexible space for parties, conferences, weddings, and more with panoramic windows, hardwood floors, and a wraparound balcony. Capacity 70-400 people.
• Google (Fidelity Center for Applied Technology)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Underground activates its space through partnerships with Google and Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (FCAT), offering mentorship sessions and networking opportunities.
• Little Diversified Architectural ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign firm for Dollar Shave Club headquarters and Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce new office spaces at American Tobacco Campus.
• BridgePoint General ContractingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company that built Dollar Shave Club headquarters and is building Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce new office spaces at American Tobacco Campus.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pearl District (Cellar Holdings / Pearl): Adaptive-reuse mixed-use district in San Antonio combining office, culinary destinations, retail, hotel, and residential on a former industrial brewery site. Directly comparable to ATC's factory-to-destination transformation and foodie tenant strategy.
• Ponce City Market: Adaptive-reuse mixed-use destination in a former industrial building in Atlanta, combining creative office space, curated food halls, retail, and event programming. Closely comparable to ATC's historic-factory-to-live-work-play transformation and tenant mix.
• Santana Row: Mixed-use district in San Jose combining upscale retail/dining, Class A office space, residential, and entertainment programming. Comparable to ATC as an integrated live-work-play campus with diverse tenant types and event-driven traffic.
• The Domain: Large-scale mixed-use development in Austin, TX featuring Class A office, retail, dining, entertainment, and residential. Comparable in scale, tenant diversity, and live-work-play positioning to ATC.
• Assembly Row: Mixed-use district in Somerville, MA combining office, retail, restaurant, entertainment, and residential uses with curated events. Comparable to ATC in operating model as a single-owner integrated destination.
• Reston Town Center: Walkable mixed-use development in Northern Virginia offering office, retail, dining, hotel, residential, and event venues. Operated by a single owner-developer with curated programming, similar to ATC's destination-district model.
• National Harbor: Large mixed-use waterfront destination in Maryland featuring retail, dining, hotel, conference, and entertainment venues. Comparable to ATC as a master-planned destination district with event-driven programming.
• American Underground (AU): Durham's premier startup coworking community launching in ATC's basement in 2010 and returning to its original home in 2025. Operates a coworking/startup ecosystem on and adjacent to the ATC campus; comparable as a sister operation sharing tenants and audience.

Emerging players

• Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC): State-of-the-art performing arts venue physically located on the ATC campus, attracting 500,000+ guests/year. While part of the ATC ecosystem, it operates as a distinct large-scale entertainment asset analogous to a touring Broadway/theater venue.

Others

• Capitol Broadcasting Company: Parent conglomerate of CBC Real Estate which operates ATC; comparable as the diversified media-and-real-estate group whose strategic capital allocation directly drives ATC's reinvestment cadence and tenant ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/americantobaccocampus
• Instagraminstagram.com/americantobaccocampus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Tobacco Campus