My favorite hideout is Durham’s abandoned urban garden

Durham, Parks and Leisure

- May 8, 2008

My favorite hideout is Durham’s abandoned urban garden

I found this secret garden hidden in downtown Durham a few years ago. It’s on the roof of the Durham Centre parking garage across from the Carolina Theatre. Head to the top of the parking deck and you’ll see a warped boardwalk winding in a labyrinth-like pattern covered in overgrown brush.

It’s a cool spot to eat your lunch, have some coffee or watch theater-goers file in and out of the Carolina Theatre. The garden is on the spot where developer Franklin Wittenberg once envisioned building another glass tower filled with luxury condominiums. I’ve been out of the Durham development loop for some time, so I’m not sure where that project stands, but my guess is it was abandoned long ago.

Anyone know more about what’s going on with Durham Centre? Are there any hidden gardens or spots you take a timeout in?

14 Responses to “My favorite hideout is Durham’s abandoned urban garden”
Great find! Thanks for sharing it.

By Beck on May 8, 2008
I think most folks have given up on that project…he’s been talking about it for years but nothing has happened.
The next highrise tower that’ll come to downtown Durham will most likely be built by Greenfire…not Wittenberg.

By RaleighRob on May 8, 2008
wow - I’ve spent a lot of time there in the last two months.
Duke is moving a large number of the Clinical Research Institute there. Renovations of the 5 floors are going on now. If you’ve noticed - the lobby has recently been redone and the garden will be soon as well. The City of Durham is working on the parking garage below to fix the structural problems and spruce it up.

By Shawnf on May 8, 2008
It’s a nice place to walk a socially-challenged dog without having to worry about running into other dogs (as long as no one else takes this up as a suggestion).

By Toastie on May 8, 2008
A friend of mine got marred up there a couple years ago. It was neat.

My understanding is that if Wittenberg ever completes his original design (I hope no one is holding their breath), that garden would be replaced by a parking deck, perhaps with more building atop it.

By Joseph H. Vilas on May 8, 2008
I take it you speak from experience ;o)

By Ginny on May 8, 2008
Ooh, that would be a cool spot for a wedding, especially with that big, brick patio adjoining it. Clever.

By Ginny on May 8, 2008
Nice! Now I’ll have to walk to the top next time I’m there.

By arse poetica on May 8, 2008
I just found the url for Wittenberg’s condos, which are supposed to be ready next year.

http://www.therenaissancedurham.com/intro.htm

By Lesley on May 8, 2008
Bull City Rising wrote about Durham Centre back in December. I think the twin towers plan is defunct and that the website just hasn’t been updated in awhile.

By Toastie on May 8, 2008
On the subject of special spots in Durham, one of the Duke mags solicited favorite spots from Duke employees back last year. My submission (Duke Chapel Benches) made the article. I enjoyed reading what others wrote as well. Check it out at: http://news.duke.edu/2007/07/secret.html

By Lesley on May 8, 2008
Wow, thanks for posting about this. Durham just gets more and more interesting all the time.

By tetriskeyring on May 8, 2008
That’s cool that they featured your secret spot. I’ve been to the chapel several times and have never noticed the benches you wrote about. I’ll have to pay more attention next time.

By Ginny on May 8, 2008
I like the little Peace Garden near the Durham Farmer’s Market.

By Valerie on May 13, 2008