Nine-week performance series brings music, dance, theatre, and storytelling to downtown Durham, January – March 2026

The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle (COT) will launch a new interdisciplinary performance series, Live at Bay 7, beginning January 10, 2026, at the American Tobacco Campus in downtown Durham. The nine-9 week series will feature live music, dance, theatre, and storytelling from some of the Triangle’s most dynamic artists and ensembles.

Running January through March 2026, Live at Bay 7 will include performances by The COT, RedBird Theater Company, The Monti Live Storytelling, Bulldog Ensemble Theater, and The Justice Theater Project. The series will also showcase work by choreographers Gerri Houlihan, Kristin Taylor Duncan, Kristin Clotfelter, and Anna Barker, along with a residency by internationally renowned performance artist Bill Shannon. Beginning in February, Live at Bay 7 will expand to include a series of concerts co-presented by That Station, including acclaimed rock and country/folk musicians.

“We are excited to explore how Durham and the larger Triangle arts community can bring this beautiful space to life,” says Niccoló Muti, Artistic Director and CEO of The COT. “Walking into Bay 7, you can simultaneously feel history in the walls and an untapped potential for creativity and exploration. It is pure magic.”

One of Durham’s most recognizable event venues, Bay 7 at American Tobacco Campus, offers 10,000 square feet of flexible space with a capacity of up to 400 people. During the nine-week takeover, Live at Bay 7 will activate the venue through a mainstage with tiered or floor seating, an upstairs gallery with a smaller performance space, and a bar and lounge.

“This series captures what we love about Durham’s creative community,” said Eli Bell, Director of Leasing at CBC Real Estate, American Tobacco Campus. “Live at Bay 7 brings people together through music, performance, and storytelling in a space that was made for shared experiences. We’re excited to support The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle in activating Bay 7 in such a meaningful way.”

In addition to ticketed performances, Live at Bay 7 will also host weekly free and “pay what you can” events. Tuesdays will feature Triangle-based artists leading sessions focused on movement, sound, and improvisation, while a house band led by drummer Jake Richter will play in the Gallery Bar and Lounge on select weekend nights. Fullsteam Brewery will provide local libations for all events.

To view the full calendar of events and purchase tickets online, visit www.liveatbay7.com.

7,000-square-foot second-floor space in Washington Building puts the Chamber at the center of Durham’s business ecosystem

CBC Real Estate today announced that the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce will relocate to the American Tobacco Campus (ATC), placing the county’s leading economic development organization in the center of one of Durham’s most dynamic business and cultural hubs. The Durham Chamber’s new 7,000-square-foot headquarters on the second floor of the historic Washington Building at 324 Blackwell Street will open this fall.

The move is a strategic step to integrate the Chamber more fully into Durham’s business ecosystem. By joining ATC’s diverse mix of corporate offices, small businesses, startups, and micro-enterprises, the Durham Chamber will be well positioned to connect with—and advocate for—the full spectrum of the county’s business community.

“Relocating to American Tobacco Campus brings us closer to the people and organizations we are here to serve,” said Geoff Durham, President & CEO of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. “For more than a century, we’ve been at the table for Durham’s biggest conversations. This move takes us from skyline views to street-level presence—making us more accessible to our members and ready to act on opportunities as they happen.”

Designed by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting and built by Bridgepoint General Contracting, the Durham Chamber’s new office will serve as a hub for decision-makers, prospective businesses, and community leaders. A flexible 100-person event space–shared with ATC–anchors the design, alongside a 20–25 seat boardroom, private offices, open workstations, a break room with kitchenette, and reception area. Exposed brick, reclaimed flooring, and open ceilings preserve the site’s tobacco factory roots, while modern finishes and presentation technology create an elevated, welcoming environment adaptable to a wide range of uses.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce to ATC,” said Eli Bell, Director of Leasing & Asset Management for CBC Real Estate. “They will be right at home here—surrounded by long-standing anchors, growing companies, and new arrivals. They will bring great energy and momentum to this community as we shape ATC’s next chapter.”

The move comes on the heels of ATC’s 20th anniversary, a milestone that marked two decades of transformation from a former tobacco factory into a nationally recognized destination for work, culture, and community. “The Chambers’ new location is remarkable,” said Dom Cole-Johnson, Board Chair of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. “It will provide our members with the opportunity to be at the heart of Durham and enhance new members’ perspectives on our amazing city.”

Marlene Spritzer with Lee & Associates represented the Durham Chamber in the lease negotiations, while Eli Bell and Isabel Rigsbee represented CBC Real Estate.

For more updates on the Durham Chamber’s move to the ATC, visit www.durhamchamber.org.

On Saturday, October 4^th, 2025, the American Tobacco Campus hosted a celebration of automotive design and engineering with the 11^th Luftgekühlt event. German for “air-cooled”, Luftgekühlt is an annual meetup of Porsche owners, drivers, and enthusiasts founded by legendary racer Patrick Long and creative director Howie Idelson. Luft showcases air-cooled cars from Porsche’s history, spanning a period from the company’s founding in 1948 through 1998.

Luft 11 featured approximately 400 cars and included a special 30^th anniversary celebration of the 993-generation Porsche 911 racer. Special guests included racing driver and motorsport executive Bobby Rahal and Motorsports Hall of Famer Tommy Kendall.

The historic American Tobacco Campus provided an ideal backdrop, with cars located throughout renovated tobacco factory, including inside the Fowler, Washington, and Power Plant buildings, along the Old Bull River, and under the iconic Lucky Strike smokestack and water tower.

Luftgekühlt 11 is the largest event ever hosted by the American Tobacco Campus and featured over 9,200 attendees during the seven-hour showcase. Luft 11 is the first Luftgekühlt held on the U.S. East Coast.

Bringing Luft to Durham has been a long time in the making. Luft 7 was originally planned to be held in Durham at the American Tobacco Campus in Fall 2020, but was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Luft 7 later took place on September 10^th, 2021 at the Bottleworks District in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For more on this iconic event, check out Porche’s newsroom article here: https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2025/scene-passion/porsche-luftgekuehlt-11-north-carolina-2025-40733.html

CBC Real Estate is excited to welcome Dollar Shave Club to the American Tobacco Campus. DSC has opened a 17,500-square-foot headquarters in the Crowe Building, designed by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting and built by BridgePoint General Contracting. This collaborative workspace features a terrace and breakroom overlooking the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, flexible seating under a skylit top floor, and brand details like “barbershop” lobby seating and a custom mural on exposed brick.

A leading consumer brand, Dollar Shave Club joins a one-of-a-kind mix of tenants at ATC, including major corporations, growing companies, academic institutions, nonprofits, and cultural anchors, who together make the campus and downtown Durham a magnet for innovation and community. Prior to moving to Durham and ATC, Dollar Shave Club was headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

“Relocating to Durham is a sharp move in every sense,” said Larry Bodner, CEO of Dollar Shave Club. “We looked at Raleigh, Nashville, Austin — all the fast-growing hubs you’d expect — and what drew us to Durham is the people. There’s a strong sense of community here, and the American Tobacco Campus puts us right in the heart of the city, steps from the Bulls and surrounded by global brands. Our new space is a place people will want to come to every day. It’s bold, inviting, and unmistakably Dollar Shave Club. With space built for 80, this headquarters also gives us room to grow.”

Dollar Shave Club’s full announcement is available here.

CBC Real Estate Will Develop Site Adjacent to the American Tobacco Campus

The YMCA of the Triangle and CBC Real Estate announced plans to development a new, state-of-the-art
Downtown Durham YMCA at American Tobacco Campus (ATC). Located at the corners of Pettigrew and Blackwell,
the future 65,000-square-foot facility will expand vital services to the community and build on the longstanding
relationship between the YMCA and ATC. The new facility will feature an indoor pool, full basketball court, indoor
track, group fitness studios, and rooftop terraces with outdoor fitness opportunities.

CBC Real Estate, the real estate division of Capitol Broadcasting Company and owner of the American Tobacco
Campus, will develop the site on behalf of the YMCA. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.

Access the full press release here to learn more about this project.

 Celebrating 50 Years of Hayti Heritage Center

For the 2025 Duke Arts at American Tobacco series, Duke Arts is proud to partner with Hayti Heritage Center to present four free concerts under the Lucky Strike Water Tower at American Tobacco Campus. The 2025 artists are selected in celebration of the Center’s 50^th anniversary and their mission to preserve the heritage and embrace the experiences of Americans of African descent. This year’s lineup features Shana Tucker, Kenny Sharp, Dior Ashley  Brown, and Denitia.

The Duke Arts at American Tobacco series, now in its fifth year, features free live concerts every Wednesday in September at American Tobacco Campus in Downtown Durham.  

Learn More: https://arts.duke.edu/announcing-the-lineup-for-duke-arts-at-american-tobacco-celebrating-50-years-of-hayti-heritage-center/

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/.

Electronic Music Collective Brings Hands-On Experiences, Workshops, and Performances to the Rail Car

BOOM Club, a new Arts Organization dedicated to providing resources for electronic musicians, is excited to announce the launch of its pop-up Synthesizer Clubhouse at the Rail Car–a historic train car at American Tobacco Campus, reimagined as a unique space for sound, creativity and community. Open every weekend from May through July, the Clubhouse will provide a hands-on space for music lovers to explore high-quality electronic music instruments, participate in free workshops, and enjoy live performances from local and visiting artists.

“We’re thrilled to create a space where musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds can experiment, learn, and connect,” said Nick Williams, Director of BOOM Club. “Electronic music should be accessible and inclusive, and we can’t wait to share our passion for this vibrant art form with the community.”

Featured Performers and Speakers include:

• Maria Chavez – Peruvian born/NYC based sound artist and turntablist
• Matthew Cha – Modular synth virtuoso deeply versed in techno and jazz
• James Phillips – multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer, and member of local band Bombadil
• Cole Pulice – Experimental Saxophonist and Electroacoustic composer
• Suzi Analogue – Expert beatmaker and UNC Music Luminary

A full program schedule and lineup will be announced soon, but weekend visitors can expect a mix of activities and performances.

Weekend Highlights include:

• Synthesizer Exploration Stations – Try out a variety of synthesizers and music production gear
• Free Workshops – Learn synthesis, beat-making, and live performance techniques from expert artists
• Live Performances – Experience electronic music performances by innovative local and guest musicians

“We’re proud to host BOOM Club’s Synthesizer Clubhouse at the American Tobacco Campus,” said Michael Goodmon, Senior Executive Vice President of Capitol Broadcasting. “This is exactly the kind of creative, community-forward programming we love to support—hands-on, inclusive, and a little outside the box.”

Whether you’re a seasoned musician or simply curious about electronic music, BOOM Club is the perfect place to explore, create and connect. For more information and updates on workshops and performances, visit www.boom-club.org and @_boomclub

About BOOM Club:

BOOM Club is a Durham-based arts organization dedicated to making electronic music accessible to all. Through workshops, performances, and hands-on experiences, BOOM Club provides the community with the tools and inspiration to explore the world of electronic sound.

Manduka Mag – March 12, 2025

“Nestled in the historic American Tobacco Campus, Yoga Off East has become a haven for the Durham community, offering a serene and welcoming space to practice yoga. The studio, co-owned by Kathryn Smith and Kim Tupper, focuses on creating a supportive and peaceful environment where students can cultivate a deeper sense of connection and well-being. A modern yoga studio rooted in ancient traditions, Yoga Off East embraces its identity as an “East to West” studio, offering modern yoga deeply influenced by ancient Eastern practices.”

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