May 2025 - American Tobacco Campus

A full-circle homecoming for Durham’s leading coworking community

Durham, N.C. (May 29, 2025) – In a move that brings one of Durham’s most iconic innovation stories full circle, CBC Real Estate announced today that American Underground (AU) will return to its original home at the American Tobacco Campus (ATC) in late 2025.

AU first launched in the basement of ATC in 2010, inspired by the gritty entrepreneurial spirit that has defined Durham for generations–and driven by a bold idea: that Durham’s entrepreneurs deserved a space of their own. What began as an experiment with just a few teams has since grown into one of the Triangle’s most recognized coworking communities, home to 275+ startups and small businesses across its downtown footprint.

“This is a homecoming,” said Laura Zabinski, Executive Director at American Underground. “American Tobacco Campus was our launchpad and the place where our community first came to life. We’ve grown alongside Durham’s founders for more than a decade, and this move gives us room to imagine what’s next: a more connected, creative and inclusive space for entrepreneurs of all kinds.”

Today, American Tobacco Campus is a vibrant live, work, play destination in the heart of downtown Durham—a cultural landmark and the modern workplace of global corporations, local businesses, and the area’s top talent. AU’s return builds on that momentum, bringing a new wave of innovators, creators and change makers to the campus community.

AU will retain its Market Street and Kress locations, totaling approximately 25,000 square feet on Main Street, while adding the new state-of-the-art space at ATC. Construction is expected to begin July 1st. AU@Main will remain open throughout the build, with members transitioning to the new space when complete.

The expansion reflects CBC Real Estate’s continued investment in Durham’s innovation ecosystem and builds on the long-standing support of Self-Help. Design and construction of the new AU space at ATC are being led by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting and Consigli.

The new AU space will be purpose-built to foster creative collisions and collaboration, with features including:

Open coworking and customizable offices

A botanical library and indoor garden

A secret outdoor garden

A fully equipped podcast studio

Meeting and collaboration rooms

Flexible memberships and leasing options for growing teams

Playful design elements that nod to AU’s history and Durham roots

AU will activate the space through a full calendar of curated events, panels, mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities, in continued partnership with Google and Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (FCAT), and with local favorites like Fullsteam, Ment, and Boricua Soul. Located just steps from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, DPAC, local restaurants and retail shops, AU’s new home will put members at the center of the action.

“We’re thrilled to bring American Underground back to the American Tobacco Campus,” said Eli Bell, Director of Leasing and Asset Management at CBC Real Estate. “AU is part of the ATC story and this return feels both natural and energizing. It’s a powerful moment of continuity that adds fresh energy to the community we’re continuing to build here.”

American Underground and American Tobacco Campus are both part of the CBC Real Estate family, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company. Their shared history and commitment to fueling inclusive innovation are helping shape the next chapter of Durham’s economic growth.

The new American Underground will be located at 324 Blackwell Street, Suite 900. For updates and more information, visit www.americanunderground.com.

The popular bakery known for its sweet and savory buns now sells at two farmers’ markets and pop-ups. Plans are to open at American Tobacco Campus by end of 2025.

Lutra Cafe and Bakery , the beloved Durham-based bakery known for its crave-worthy sweet and savory buns, will open a counter- service restaurant at American Tobacco Campus by the end of 2025.

Founded in Jan. 2024 by chef-owner Chris McLaurin, Lutra has built a loyal following through its presence at farmers markets, pop-ups and local coffee shops across the Triangle. Its permanent home will be a 2,600-square-foot location on the north side of American Tobacco Campus, adjacent to Ment Beverage Co., the production facility and tasting room for Honeygirl Meadery. Lutra will serve breakfast, lunch and baked goods for dine-in, patio seating or takeout.

“American Tobacco feels like the perfect home for Lutra. We’re so excited to be a part of their thoughtful and local mix of businesses,” said chef-owner Chris McLaurin. “Whether you’re

popping in for a quick treat, a to-go breakfast or want to enjoy yourself with a leisurely brunch, Lutra will be situated to easily meet your needs – and with lots of easy parking.”

A Chapel Hill native, McLaurin brings years of experience to the project. After graduating from George Washington University and training at L’Academie de Cuisine, he worked under chef Johnny Monis at acclaimed D.C. restaurants Komi and Little Serow. While McLaurin worked in the kitchen at Komi, Monis won Best Chef Mid-Atlantic from the James Beard Foundation and the restaurant maintained its No. 1 spot on Washingtonian Magazine’s Best Restaurants in D.C. At Little Serow, McLaurin worked as a host and learned how delicious food and professional but casual service can come together.

McLaurin returned to North Carolina in 2013 and worked at a number of popular Triangle restaurants and bars, including Rose’s, Bar Lusconi, Picnic, and La Place. In 2022, he was named chef de cuisine at Poole’side Pies, part of two-time James Beard award-winning chef Ashley Christensen’s celebrated Raleigh restaurant group. Following Poole-side Pies’ closure in late 2023, McLaurin launched Lutra Bakery and quickly gained momentum, selling baked goods at the Cary and North Durham farmers’ markets, as well as regular Durham pop-ups at Cocoa Cinnamon and Sunday Bunday events at Queeny’s. In its first year, Lutra sold more than 10,000 buns and hosted over 130 pop-ups across the region.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Lutra Cafe and Bakery to the American Tobacco Campus,” said Eli Bell, CBC Real Estate’s Director of Leasing & Asset Management. “Lutra built a real following through their pop-ups and quickly became a local favorite—it feels like bringing in a friend the whole neighborhood already loves. Their creativity and energy are a perfect match for ATC, and we know folks will be lining up bright and early for coffee and those unforgettable buns.“

At the new cafe, guests can expect a rotating menu of baked goods—including buns, breads, and soft pretzels—as well as breakfast and lunch offerings like biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict, salads, and sandwiches. “At Lutra, we’re looking to create a space with craveable food that fosters genuine connection in a casual atmosphere,” McLaurin said.

Lutra Cafe and Bakery will be located at 312 Blackwell St., Noell Building #102, Durham. For updates and more information, follow on Instagram at @lutrabakery or at https://www.lutrabakery.com/.