Places in Peril 2011: 500-600 Block of Holloway Street

500 block of Hollway Street. Courtesy of Open Durham.

Dating from the 1880s to the 1910s, this neighborhood has some of the best examples of Victorian architecture in Durham. Unfortunately, like much of downtown, the area fell into decline in the 1960s. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and became Durham’s first local historic district in 1987. While the streets immediately to the north have seen a resurgence of owner-occupants and significant re-investment, vacancies continue to plague this historic corridor.

What’s Needed: Several homes in the 500 block have sold recently and Preservation Durham would like to see the remaining vacant homes on these blocks revitalized and occupied as single-family homes. Infill construction that is complimentary to the neighborhood’s unique scale and architectural detail would benefit the neighborhood, along with extension of downtown streetscaping.

UPDATE: While the 500 block of Holloway continues to see investment and revitalization – such that we might venture to call it “saved,” the 600 block has not been so lucky. In early 2011, Preservation North Carolina secured an option on the yellow frame house and the adjacent brick commercial building (611 and 613 Holloway) seen in the image above, but the level of rehab required to save these buildings has thus far proved cost prohibitive for anyone to take them on. In addition, the rear elevation of 613 collapsed in the wake of the August 2011 earthquake. Neighborhood Improvement Services is keeping a watchful eye on these properties, so, despite successes on the 500 block, this remains a place in peril.