407 Jackson St

35.995332, -78.908322

407
Jackson Street
Durham
NC
Year built
1890-1920
Year demolished
1967
Architectural style
Victorian
Construction type
Frame
Neighborhood
West End
Use
Residential
Building Type
Residential
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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.)



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.

500SDuke_021308.jpeg

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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Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2/14/2008 - 2:59am

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.

Submitted by John Martin (not verified) on Thu, 2/14/2008 - 3:30am

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.

Submitted by Gary (not verified) on Thu, 2/14/2008 - 3:33am

Anon

I think you may be thinking of the SouthBank building downtown, which was First Federal. You can see it here.

GK

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2/14/2008 - 4:18am

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.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2/14/2008 - 3:40pm

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

Submitted by Gary (not verified) on Thu, 2/14/2008 - 3:52pm

Thanks dtd!

GK

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 4/1/2009 - 3:55pm

Can anyone tell me how big the BB&T Building is? How many floors? thanks

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