Durham’s newest 27-story skyscraper is ready for preleasing. Here’s a first look
Prospective renters can now call dibs on apartments inside Durham’s newest 27-story skyscraper.
Durham-based Austin Lawrence Partners (ALP), in partnership with Global Holdings, began preleasing 188 rental units this week for The Novus, a glassy high-rise at 400 W. Main St. in Durham’s Five Points district. The site backs up against the Downtown Loop in one of the city’s most bustling commercial corridors.
Among the amenities: putting greens and golf simulators, spaces to work remotely, a pickleball court, an outdoor movie theater, a dog park, pool, hot tub, cold plunge and steam room.
On the 28th floor, residents also have access to a sky lounge and clubroom.
“The Novus fills a gap in the market for rentals that raise the bar in luxury urban living,” said Jane Hills, ALP co-founder, in a release.
It’s the city’s second 27-story building downtown. ALP also built the first — One City Center — in 2018. (That’s about the limit under the downtown 300-foot height limit.)
It’s also part of a wave of new construction hitting the market amid a post-pandemic construction boom. It replaces the South Bank building that stood on the site for nearly 50 years before being demolished in 2022.
Offerings include studio, one-bedroom and two- bedroom apartments, ranging from 512 square feet to 1,962 square feet. Prices start from $2,080 per month for studios, $2,580 per month for one bedroom, and $3,980 per month for two bedrooms, according to its website.
First move-ins are scheduled for this summer.
The building also includes 54 luxury condominiums and 22,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. To date, over 85% of the condos have been sold with eight still available, the firm said.
Online listings show many units still available with prices starting at $919,900. The priciest is listed at over $4 million.
Three retail tenants have been lined up to open this summer: Revel, a locally owned cycling studio, the Pilates studio Solidcore, and Dose Yoga + Smoothie Bar.
Additional retail leasing is underway, the firm said.
“We’ve put our heart and soul into The Novus’ completion,” Hills added. “We truly believe [it] is unlike anything this region has seen.”
Jane and Greg Hills, the husband-and-wife team behind ALP, began investing in Durham in 2011. (Greg Hills graduated from Duke University in 1976.)
In addition to The Novus and One City Center, their firm is also behind the Unscripted Hotel Durham, revamping one of the city’s most iconic buildings — the former Jack Tar Motel.
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This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
