Penthouse condo in Durham’s newest 27-story skyscraper relists for record $5.99M
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- Durham penthouse relists at $5.9M after $3.98M investor purchase and upgrades.
- The Novus, opened 2025, includes 54 condos, 188 rentals and 22,000 sq ft retail.
- Unit 2701 has chef’s kitchen, 1,000+ bottle wine room, smart home features.
Three months after an investor quietly paid $3.98 million for the 4,600-square-foot penthouse suite at The Novus in Durham’s Five Points, the unit is back on the market with upgrades.
The price tag: $5.9 million — a would-be state record. (The current leader is just next door: Unit 2702 inside the glassy 27-story skyscraper at 115 Morris St. sold for $5.25 million in December.)
What’s even more eye-watering: Unit 2701 is still brand-spanking-new.
“During pre-sales and construction, the seller had a change in life circumstances and is no longer planning to move into the residence,” said listing agent Courtney James of Urban Durham Realty on Monday.
Though it’s technically a resale, “it hasn’t been lived in yet,” she said.
The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom condo — with den — has been heavily customized: floor-to-ceiling glass, 10-foot-high ceilings, and an open layout. It’s anchored by a chef’s kitchen outfitted with Wolf and Sub Zero appliances.
James said the sellers added a rare, temperature-controlled wine room that holds more than 1,000 bottles, along with upgraded cabinetry, lighting, and smart home systems.
The primary suite features a fireplace, two walk-in closets, and an oversized dressing room.
Other touches include dual fireplaces, a mirrored wet bar, motorized shades, whole-home audio, and integrated tech infrastructure.
Monthly homeowners’ association fees are just over $2,500 per month.
“We’ve had good interest so far,” James said. “Especially as the weather has warmed up. Buyers are responding to the lifestyle offered in the building, particularly the pool and amenity spaces.”
Post-pandemic construction boom
Developed by Durham-based Austin Lawrence Partners (ALP) in partnership with Global Holdings, The Novus opened in 2025, part of a post-pandemic construction boom. It replaced the South Bank building that stood on the site for nearly 50 years before being demolished in 2022.
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.)
The Novus features 54 luxury condominiums, 188 rental units, and 22,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. 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 have access to a sky lounge and clubroom.
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Current offerings include one- and two- bedroom rental apartments, ranging from 512 square feet to 1,962 square feet. Prices start at around $2,300 and go up to $4,500 per month.
Over 89% of the condos have been sold. Online listings show many units still available with prices starting at $919,900. The priciest is listed at over $4 million.
Retail tenants include Revel, a locally owned cycling studio, the Pilates studio Solidcore, and Dose Yoga + Smoothie Bar.
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.
This story was originally published March 23, 2026 at 4:25 PM.
