Bigger Than American Tobacco

Greenfire Development Takes On 24 Projects in City Center

The way some people talk, it is hard for many to believe there could ever be anything bigger than the American Tobacco Campus…1 million square feet, a minimum commitment of $126 million in private investment, and countless historic tax credits partnered before and after local government investment in the neighborhood of $100 million.  But Downtown revitalization is a journey and even something that huge can’t be a panacea. 

Now a home grown company, owned by Durham natives Michael Lemanski and Carl Webb, is taking on the biggest challenge of all – the City Center and renovation of not just one facility, but two dozen separate buildings.  Taken together, Greenfire Development’s 24 projects represent more 1 million+ square feet and $200 million in private investment over five years. The public sector participation isn’t clear, although the developments obviously benefit from the City’s recent $14 million streetscape, sidewalk and utility improvements.

Lemanski and Webb see an opportunity to return the city center of Downtown Durham to the focal point it once was.  The projects are as diverse and representative of Durham as Greenfire’s owners.  It has also set out to turn Downtown Durham “Green” retaining the imbedded energy of their historic buildings, maintaining original architecture, recycling more than 75% of construction waste, and using environmentally friendly materials, which will help make many LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified.

Once completed, many buildings will contain residential spaces above a restaurant or retail space on the street level.

Greenfire’s largest project involves the Hill building, formerly known as the former CCB or current Sun Trust building, which will soon be turned into a 110-room boutique hotel.  Greenfire also plans a new high-rise building next door at the former Woolworth’s site along Historic Parrish Street.