You’ve probably walked past it. If you live in Durham, North Carolina, or you’re just visiting for a weekend of craft beer and Tobacco Road history, 310 E Main St is one of those spots that feels like it’s holding a secret. It’s a Neoclassical beauty, sitting there with that 1920s confidence, but most people just see a cool old building. They don’t see the ink, the radio waves, or the ghost of a newspaper that once tried to rule the city from right inside those walls.
Honestly, the "Sun Building" is a bit of a survivor. Built in 1926, it was the headquarters for The Durham Sun. Back then, newspapers weren't just apps on your phone; they were the heartbeat of a city. This place was buzzing. You had the literal rumble of printing presses in the basement and editors upstairs probably smoking way too many cigarettes while chasing deadlines.
But here’s the kicker: the Sun didn't even stay there that long. By 1929, the Morning Herald basically swallowed them up, and the whole operation moved over to Market Street. It’s kinda wild to think about—a building commissioned as a "masterwork of architecture" for a specific business, only for that business to skip town three years later.
Why 310 E Main St still feels like the center of Durham
Downtown Durham has changed a lot. Like, a lot. If you look at photos from the late 1800s, this exact spot was part of the J.R. Day house—a massive, fancy Victorian mansion that took up half the block. They tore that down in the 1910s to make way for "progress," which in the 1920s meant commercial blocks.
Today, 310 E Main St represents that weird, beautiful middle ground between Durham’s industrial past and its tech-heavy future. It’s mixed-use now, which is just a fancy way of saying people live, work, and record music there.
The layout of a 1920s landmark
If you’re a fan of old-school architecture, this place is a dream. We’re talking about 13,600 square feet of space.
- The Main Level: This was once a restaurant storefront (Old Havana used to be here, and man, people still miss those sandwiches).
- The Basement: This isn't your creepy "spiders and damp boxes" basement. It has 9-foot ceilings because it had to house massive machinery.
- The Recording Studio: Toward the back, there’s been a long-running recording studio. Imagine the acoustics in a building made of 1920s masonry. It’s basically a natural sound booth.
It’s currently valued at well over a million dollars, which makes sense when you consider it’s a designated historical landmark. You can’t just go in there and throw up some cheap drywall without a lot of people having some very strong opinions about it.
The weird history of the Sun and its conservative roots
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. The Durham Sun wasn't exactly a progressive beacon in its early days. Founded in 1889 by James R. Robinson—who wrote under the pen name "Old Hurrygraph"—the paper had a hard-right, Conservative Democratic slant.
During the 1892 elections, the Sun was pretty notorious for some racially polarizing commentary. It’s a dark part of the history, but you can’t talk about 310 E Main St without acknowledging that the institution it was built for played a role in the political friction of the South. It’s a reminder that buildings are just vessels; the people inside them define the legacy.
From newspapers to public service
After the newspaper left, the building didn't stay empty. It’s had a "jack of all trades" kind of life.
- Public Service Co. of North Carolina: They moved in during the late 1940s and used it as office space for decades. If you paid a gas bill in Durham in 1960, you probably came here.
- The Salvation Army: For a while, it served as a hub for community outreach.
- Diesel Productions: In the early 2000s, it shifted toward the creative arts. This is when the residential space upstairs got a major facelift, including a back deck that is basically the envy of everyone living in a modern cookie-cutter apartment.
What most people get wrong about 310 E Main St
A lot of people think this building is just another office block. They see the Neoclassical facade and assume it’s always been quiet and professional. But between the radio station history (WHHT used to have a presence here) and the recording studios, this building has probably been one of the loudest spots on Main Street for a century.
Also, people forget about the explosion. Well, not at the building, but the famous 1890s photo of an electricity generator exploding actually shows the back of the J.R. Day house that used to sit on this lot. This land has seen some things.
Real-world insights for local explorers
If you’re walking by or thinking about the real estate side of things in Durham, here’s the deal:
- The Zoning: It’s DD-C (Downtown Design - Core). That means the city wants it to stay active. No boring warehouses allowed.
- The Preservation: Because it’s a landmark, the exterior is protected. Those windows and that brickwork aren't going anywhere.
- The Vibe: It’s right near the intersection with Roxboro St. It’s the gateway to the "East" part of downtown, which is arguably the most authentic part of the city left.
Why you should care about the Sun Building today
In a world of glass towers and "luxury" condos that all look identical, 310 E Main St is a anchor. It reminds us that Durham was built on trade, news, and grit. Whether it’s housing a Cuban restaurant or a tech startup, the building demands respect because of its history.
💡 You might also like: Mark G Parker Nike Successor: Why the Creative King Still Matters
Next time you're in downtown Durham, take a second. Stand across the street near the old courthouse and look at the Sun Building. Think about the "Old Hurrygraph" writing his columns, the sound of the 1926 printing presses, and the way the city has grown up around those stone walls. It’s not just an address; it’s a timeline.
Actionable steps for history buffs and property owners
If you're interested in the history of this specific spot or similar historic properties, start by checking the Open Durham archives. They have a massive collection of photos showing the transition from the J.R. Day mansion to the current commercial structure. For those looking at the investment side, keep an eye on the Durham Historic Preservation Commission. They hold the keys to what can and cannot be done with these landmarks. If you want to experience the space, look for the businesses currently operating there—it's one of the few places where you can stand in a 1920s basement and still feel like you're in the future.
Next steps for deeper research:
- Visit the Durham County Library North Carolina Collection for original Durham Sun archives.
- Walk the block between Queen and Roxboro to see how the 1920s development changed the city's "mansion row."
- Check the National Register of Historic Places for the specific architectural filing on the Sun Building.