The Durham Hotel, located in the former Home Savings Bank building, began taking reservations in mid-July. The building was constructed in 1968 and its unique form is easily recognizable in the Durham landscape. While the iconic stair towers offer slivered views of downtown, the rooftop deck provides a sweeping vista with miles of scenery. The space includes 53 hotel rooms, meeting rooms, a fitness center, a rooftop bar, and will soon host a new restaurant from Chapel Hill chef Andrea Reusing.
Home Savings and Loan Building in 1969, Courtesy Durham County Library
Home Savings and Loan Building in 1969, Courtesy Herald-Sun
Home Savings and Loan Building in 1968
The design process, which began back in 2012, offered a unique challenge: to convert an outdated workplace into a dynamic space for people to eat, sleep, bathe, and relax. The bones of the former office building provided a good starting point, and we were particularly enthusiastic to maintain the mezzanine plane which overlooks the lobby.
The hotel entrance opens into a bright double height space with a full-service bar and restaurant. The space is framed by a new glass curtain-wall with views out onto a patio where guests can enjoy drinks and downtown scenery. As the design developed, we focused on preserving the character of the building while capitalizing on opportunities for improvement. The former office spaces on the upper floors were fully gutted in order to allow ample space for hotel rooms and other guest services. As a result the guest rooms are bright and airy.
Completed photos are coming soon!
Interiors by Commune Design
The Durham Hotel / Before
The Durham Hotel / Before