The new space
American Underground is opening a 40,000-square-foot workspace at 324 Blackwell St. in the Washington Building at American Tobacco Campus. The hub includes a botanical library, podcasting studio, coffee bar, and open coworking areas across from Bay 9 and 10. A grand opening runs Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with remarks from Capitol Broadcasting Company Executive Vice President Michael Goodmon, Mayor Leonardo Williams, and others.
Why the layout changed
The previous headquarters was scattered across several floors, with a single shared event and coworking area that regularly filled beyond capacity. Founders wanted something more communal. The new footprint consolidates that into one connected space designed to encourage collaboration.
American Underground got its start in the late 2000s when a group of entrepreneurs went looking for a flexible alternative to traditional commercial leases. It now supports more than 275 companies, from early-stage startups to independent creatives and remote workers.
What Goodmon said
"Sixteen years ago, we took a bet on Durham's entrepreneurial spirit, and Durham paid it back tenfold," Goodmon said. "Coming back to the American Tobacco Campus feels less like a return and more like an arrival."
Regular programming begins June 18 with a free coworking day.