400 BLOCK JACKSON ST (SOUTH) - BB&T BUILDING
Jackson St., which once turned to connect with West Pettigrew St. (this section was later renamed Ashton Place) was built out early - with generally large houses, though not of the scale or grandeur of those one block away on West Chapel Hill St. These houses faced the rear of the BN Duke Four Acres property (and the caretaker's house at the back of that property.)
From east to west:
401 Jackson, 1965.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)
403 Jackson, 1965
(Courtesy Durham County Library)
405 Jackson, 1965
(Courtesy Durham County Library)
407 Jackson, 1965
(Courtesy Durham County Library)
These houses were torn down in 1967 by the city as part of the urban renewal program. In their place was built one of my least favorite buildings in downtown Durham, the BB&T building.
Looking southwest from Willard and Jackson, 02.11.08
I profiled the South Duke side of this block last year. This building is really just undistinguished - the big problem is the scale of surface parking around it - which gives it a massive setback from every street. It appears squat as a result - like some giant put out a cigar in the middle of a big ashtray parking lot. Ridiculous. You could put so much more in this block - it's a waste of downtown real estate.
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7 comments:
Can't recall which on Gary, but this building was a savings and loan. Perhaps Durham Federal, or First Federal? Someone with better Durham history knowledge please speak up.
This was originally the Roberts Building, if my memory serves me. Bobby Roberts, Bryant Roberts and Paul Roberts are three brothers who have built a huge number of fairly inexpensive, houses, apartments, and condos all over Durham. Bobby went to prison for a few years in the late 1970's or early 1980's for some financial skullduggery involving a savings and loan. I believe that Bobby built this before he was convicted, and if I remember correctly, lost it after filing for bankruptcy following his conviction.
Anon
I think you may be thinking of the SouthBank building downtown, which was First Federal. You can see it here.
GK
No, I'm pretty sure this was a savings and loan prior to it being BB&T. BB&T acquired the assets of a Durham based S&L about 15-18 or so year ago, if I recall correctly. Whether BB&T acquired it from the original S&L, I'm not certain.
Myers
PS Thanks John for sharing with us some background info about the vinyl box champions of Durham, and the Tuscaloosa Forest landscapers. What a positive contribution they've made to architectural beauty of our fair city.
This building was the Roberts Building, then became the Security Federal Savings and Loan Building, and after Security Federal merged with BB&T became it the BB&T Building.
dtd
Thanks dtd!
GK
Can anyone tell me how big the BB&T Building is? How many floors? thanks
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