January 29th, 2026
YMCA of the Triangle Selects Durham-based Design Team for New Downtown Durham Y
Little Diversified Architectural Consulting and Thomas & Hutton Bring Local Expertise to the Durham Project
DURHAM, N.C. (Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026) —The YMCA of the Triangle has selected Little Diversified Architectural Consulting as the architect and Thomas & Hutton as the civil engineer for the new Downtown Durham YMCA, marking a significant milestone in the development of this transformative project.
Last year, the YMCA announced plans to acquire a 0.79-acre property at the corner of Blackwell and West Pettigrew Streets from CBC Real Estate, the real estate division of Capitol Broadcasting Company. The future 65,000-square-foot facility will expand access to health, wellness and community-building services in downtown Durham and build on the YMCA’s longstanding relationship with the American Tobacco Campus. CBC Real Estate serves as the development partner for the site on behalf of the YMCA.
“We are excited to bring Little and Thomas & Hutton on board for the Downtown Durham Y project. Through a rigorous and lengthy architectural process, Little stood out in their understanding of the needs of the YMCA and the needs of the community,” said Dan Corey, Sr. VP of Properties & Facilities, YMCA of the Triangle. The selection team was composed of YMCA volunteers, Y staff and representatives from CBC Real Estate. “The team was impressed with Little’s approach to building on a tight urban site and their collaborative, people-centered design process.”
Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, a national multidisciplinary architecture firm, was selected following a competitive procurement process. Fifteen architectural firms were evaluated through a formal, multi-stage request for proposals, with final presentations reviewed by the selection team. Little was chosen based on overall alignment with the project’s vision, scope and community goals.
“We are honored to join the Downtown Durham YMCA team and take part in designing a welcoming, inclusive hub for all Durham residents,” said Will Stewart, Studio Principal for Little’s Durham Community Studio. “Having an office in downtown Durham since 2007 has allowed Little to truly become part of this community. Every day I see how extraordinary Durham is, and I am committed to working with the YMCA of the Triangle to create an exciting new home that reflects this dynamic, diverse community.”
Thomas & Hutton, a multidisciplinary engineering firm active across the Southeast, was selected due to their technical expertise, deep local relationships and existing familiarity with the American Tobacco Campus that will include the new Downtown Durham YMCA.
“When we started working in Durham in 1995, we were just on the cusp of Downtown Durham’s transformation,” added Dan Jewell of Thomas & Hutton. “It’s been an honor to call Durham home and work on so many transformative projects including American Tobacco. We’re excited to be a part of this next phase of ATC and Downtown Durham.”
Both Little and Thomas & Hutton bring technical expertise and strong community ties to the new Durham Y’s project team. “We sought out the best architects and engineers for this project and are thrilled to select two firms who reflect Bull City and industry excellence,” remarked John Nelson, development manager at CBC Real Estate. “The Y and CBC each have a history of success working with Little and Thomas & Hutton. I am confident this team’s community-driven design process will lead to a visually stunning, operationally efficient and dynamic Durham YMCA.”
Little has completed 29 projects for YMCAs across the country including all four current YMCA locations in Durham. CBC Real Estate and Little have collaborated on countless projects at the American Tobacco Campus as well as The Thread, an adaptive reuse project in downtown Rock Hill, SC. Thomas & Hutton has provided civil engineering services for CBC Real Estate on all phases of the American Tobacco Campus (Durham, NC) and Rocky Mount Mills (Rocky Mount, NC), among other projects.
The new Downtown Durham YMCA will feature multiple rooftop terraces with outdoor fitness areas, an indoor pool, a full basketball court, an indoor track, group fitness studios and dedicated space for youth and family programming. Plans also include approximately 80 onsite parking spaces, with access to additional reserved parking nearby. The estimated construction cost for this project is $46 million. The team plans to hold engagement meetings later this spring with YMCA members and the Durham community to gather input and feedback.
Project Milestones:
- Design phase: Approximately 10 months, beginning December 2025
- Construction Start: January 2027
- Project Completion: Early 2029
Additional details about the project’s design, programming and community impact will be shared as the work progresses. Learn more about the YMCA Heart of Durham project here.
About the Durham YMCAs
The Durham YMCA operates four branches in Durham. Today, the Downtown Durham YMCA, Lakewood YMCA, YMCA at American Tobacco and Hope Valley Farms YMCA engage nearly 10,000 children, families and adults through membership with an additional 3,200 people served through evidence-based health programs, sports and youth programming that includes after school, day camps and academic support offerings.
About the YMCA of the Triangle
As a 501(c)(3) and one of the region’s largest and most trusted community-based organizations, the YMCA of the Triangle has served Raleigh, Durham, Cary and the surrounding region since 1857. Today, the Y operates 19 facility branches across Wake, Chatham, Durham, Orange, Johnston and Lee Counties, along with three overnight camps: Camp Kanata in Wake Forest and Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer in Pamlico County. More than 235,000 children, families and adults engage with the Y each year as members, campers, volunteers and donors, finding connection, purpose and community. In 2025, supported by more than $10.9 million in philanthropic giving, the Y expanded access and opportunity for more than 25,000 people through its programs and services. Learn more at YMCATriangle.org. The Y. A Community for a Lifetime.
About CBC Real Estate
CBC Real Estate (CBC), a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company, is a leading developer, owner, and operator of historic and mixed-use properties across North and South Carolina. Since 2001, CBC has developed over three million square feet of office, multifamily, and retail space. Notable projects include the American Tobacco Campus in Durham, NC; Bandwidth Inc.’s headquarters in Raleigh, NC; MoJud Lofts in Greensboro, NC; Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC; and The Thread in Rock Hill, SC. Proudly based in Durham, North Carolina, CBC Real Estate is dedicated to strengthening communities through purposeful and impactful development. For more information, visit cbcrealestate.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Nelson
Senior VP of Marketing & Communications
YMCA of the Triangle
919-412-2728
Alissa Clendenen
Associate VP of Communications
YMCA of the Triangle
919-441-0165