List of tallest buildings in Durham, North Carolina facts for kids
Welcome to Durham, a city in North Carolina with some impressive buildings that reach high into the sky! Just like how some cities have famous landmarks, Durham has its own set of tall structures that stand out in its skyline. These buildings are not just tall; many of them are important places where people work, live, or learn.
The very tallest building in Durham is called the University Tower. It stands at an amazing 356 feet (about 109 meters) tall! That's like stacking almost 30 school buses on top of each other! This article will tell you about the tallest buildings in Durham and how they've changed the city's look over the years.
Durham's Tallest Buildings
Durham has many buildings that are over 110 feet tall. Here's a look at some of the most notable ones, from the very tallest to others that make up the city's unique skyline.
- University Tower: This is the tallest building in Durham, standing at 356 feet (109 meters) with 17 floors. It was finished in 1986 and has been the tallest ever since! It's also the tallest building in Durham that isn't right in the downtown area.
- One City Center: Completed in 2018, this building is 296 feet (90 meters) tall and has 26 floors. It's one of the newer tall buildings in Durham's downtown.
- Durham Centre: This building is 273 feet (83 meters) tall with 18 floors and was built in 1987. It's home to the Durham Chamber of Commerce, which helps local businesses.
- The Tower at Mutual Plaza: Standing at 252 feet (77 meters) with 14 floors, this tower was built in 1965. It was the tallest building in Durham for over 20 years! It's also the headquarters for N.C. Mutual Life Insurance.
- Hill Building: This historic building is 225 feet (69 meters) tall and has 17 floors. It was built in 1937 and was the tallest building in Durham for a long time before The Tower at Mutual Plaza was built. Today, it's home to the 21c Hotel.
- Duke Chapel: While not a traditional office building, Duke Chapel is a very tall and famous landmark at Duke University. It stands 210 feet (64 meters) tall and was completed in 1935. It was the tallest structure in Durham for a couple of years!
- Durham County Justice Center: This building, also known as the Durham County Courthouse, is 187 feet (57 meters) tall with 11 floors. It opened in 2013 and is where many important legal activities for the county happen.
Many other buildings contribute to Durham's skyline, including:
- Wells Fargo at Erwin Square (180 ft / 55 m, 10 floors)
- North Pavilion Building (178 ft / 55 m, 11 floors) - part of a hospital
- Hock Plaza (176 ft / 54 m, 11 floors)
- Hock Plaza Phase 2 (176 ft / 54 m, 11 floors)
- Durham downtown Marriott Hotel (146 ft / 45 m, 11 floors)
- IQVIA Plaza (143 ft / 44 m, 11 floors) - headquarters for IQVIA, Inc.
- Durham Medical Center (137 ft / 42 m, 11 floors)
- Sheraton Imperial Hotel (124 ft / 38 m, 10 floors)
- Erwin Square Tower (124 ft / 38 m, 10 floors)
- Duke Hospital Towers (114 ft / 34 m, 9 floors)
- Chesterfield Building (112 ft / 34 m, 7 floors)
- Durham County Detention Center (112 ft / 34 m, 9 floors)
- J.J. Henderson Hall (112 ft / 34 m, 9 floors) - a Durham Housing Authority building
- Baynes Hall (112 ft / 34 m, 9 floors) - a residential hall at North Carolina Central University
- Eagleson Hall (112 ft / 34 m, 9 floors) - another residential hall at North Carolina Central University
Who Was Tallest When?
Buildings often compete for the title of "tallest" in a city. Here's a timeline showing which building held the record for being the tallest in Durham over the years:
| Name | Image | Height ft (m) |
Floors | Years Tallest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Chapel | 210 / 65 | 1935-1937 | ||
| Hill Building | 225 / 69 | 17 | 1937-1965 | |
| The Tower at Mutual Plaza | 252 / 77 | 14 | 1965-1986 | |
| University Tower | 356 / 109 | 17 | 1986–present |
