QueenBurger generated a cult following for its progressive pop-up burger bar when it opened in July 2020 as a pandemic “pivot” to the temporarily closed Kingfisher Cocktail Bar. INDY WEEK recognized QueenBurger as the “Best New Restaurant” in Durham, and EATER heralded it a “favorite”.

At ATC, QueenBurger fans will recognize their signature concise menu of double-patty “smash burgers” – made of local grass-fed Baldwin Beef, griddled onions, NC Hoop Cheddar Cheese, Special Sauce, and pickles, as well as the Carolina Burger with slaw and the sought-after beet-rich Veggie and Vegan burgers – all seared to perfection on a flattop grill, visible to guests. Shoestring fries – plain and “hot” – will be new to the line-up. Finish with artisan ice cream sandwiches from Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings, and Sweets.

Pair it all with a drink from nationally renowned mixologist and co-owner Sean Umstead who has designed a selection of original cocktails to complement the burger menu.

Co-owner Michelle Vanderwalker – the designer behind the QueenBurger and the duo’s other forward-looking brands – is responsible for the “all are welcome” aesthetic in the 1849-square-foot space with a 15-foot cocktail bar and a mix of high and low tables and booths. 

Fans of the original QueenBurger popup will recognize the colorful murals. In Spring 2023, the front street-facing floor-to-ceiling windows will be converted into foldable windows to recreate the open-air setting evocative of the initial pop-up, decked with astroturf and picnic tables. 

QueenBurger is located at 359 Blackwell St. in Diamond View III (directly adjacent to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park). Follow @EatQueenBurger and visit from 11am-8pm Monday through Saturday.

Capitol Broadcasting Co. and Hines in Partnership with USAA Real Estate Announce Major Mixed-Use Development in Downtown Durham

Partners will develop prime vacant site alongside the renowned American Tobacco Campus 

(DURHAM, NC) — July 28, 2020 — Capitol Broadcasting Co. (CBC), Hines, the international real estate firm, and USAA Real Estate today announced plans to develop a 600,000-700,000 square foot mixed-use destination bordering the west side of the bustling American Tobacco Campus.   

The expansion of ATC will take shape in a series of phases on the prime 11-acre downtown site previously occupied by University Ford. Plans for the dynamic mixed-use community include retail, restaurants, residences, and Class-A offices — all delivered with the thoughtfulness and high quality associated with the three partners. A website with more information about the expansion can be found here.

CBC redeveloped the American Tobacco Campus (ATC), taking it from an abandoned, century-old factory to a thriving mixed-use destination. ATC’s rebirth is credited with helping to kickstart downtown Durham’s renaissance. Additionally, CBC owns the neighboring Durham Bulls Athletic Park and has been a crucial supporter of the adjoining Durham Performing Arts Center. 

Hines and USAA are also proven developers in the Triangle area, having partnered on the highly anticipated Fenton mixed-use destination in Cary. Hines’ expertise with historically significant developments is evident in its success with Atlantic Station in Atlanta.

Phase One of ATC’s expansion is expected to unfold over eight acres with the partners eyeing a construction start in late 2020 or early 2021. In addition to bordering ATC, the new development features easy access on its south side to Highway 147, a vital Triangle artery connecting downtown Durham to the Research Triangle Park, I-40 and I-85. Just to the north is Durham’s burgeoning urban core featuring a host of amenities. 

Timber Structures

Architecturally, the ATC expansion will carefully and imaginatively fit with the historic look of the original American Tobacco campus while embracing the amenities, efficiencies, and innovations of new builds. They will also respect and play-off downtown Durham’s unique flavor.

As but one example of the expansion’s distinctiveness, the partners plan to utilize T3 timber structures throughout the project’s first phase. The timber builds will be a first-of-its-kind in the Triangle, and join only a handful of mixed-use destinations in the U.S.

Heavy timber construction goes back centuries, from churches to schools to warehouses. But the vast majority of buildings that dot modern skylines were built with steel and concrete or are  ‘stick-built,’ i.e. wooden-stud construction atop a concrete base.

A T3 structure is different — both beautiful and environmentally responsible. The airy and bright office spaces will feature manufactured wood columns and beams braced by steel and as well as a flooring system that includes thick, laminated wood beams sandwiched with a layer of concrete.