A New Chapter for Durham, North Carolina at Wye Junction
Wye Junction sits on a site with deep roots in Durham’s industrial history. Once home to Erwin Oil, the former distribution center operated for decades and left behind a story that remains part of the neighborhood. When our team began work on the project, we saw an opportunity to create something modern that still felt connected to its past. The design approach focused on honoring the site’s character while imagining what it could become for a new generation of residents.
Our team looked closely at the site’s background and identified the elements that could help anchor the community. Several original artifacts remain throughout the development, including the former oil tank structures that now serve as illuminated art elements. Parts of the old train trestle were also preserved and woven into the landscape. These pieces help ground the project in something authentic and meaningful. Inside the new residential buildings, the interiors were shaped by a desire to bring a fresh and edgy take to the historical backdrop.
As the project manager for the interiors team, Denise Hoffman shared, “We set out to provide a fresh, edgy take on the site’s history. Material selections were intentionally authentic, not reproductions, to create a rich, upscale urban experience. We embraced the idea of old and new coming together, which also informed the name Wye Junction, with the ‘wye’ being where two rail lines intersect.”
That idea carries through the details. Aged brass sits beside sleek black metals. Antiqued mirrors catch the light from a modern chandelier. Custom furniture blends unexpected textures and colors with traditional frames. Graphic patterns on key elements, including wallcoverings, play off the geometry of intersecting rail lines and connect the story from one space to the next.
The excitement behind the project came from the chance to bring old and new together in a way that feels seamless and alive. Every move was selected to reinforce that connection and celebrate the spirit of the community. The result is an environment that feels vibrant, modern, and proudly tied to Durham’s story.
Wye Junction is more than a residential development. It is a destination shaped by its history and built for how people live, gather, and experience the city today. With skyline views from the rooftop, a lively pedestrian plaza, and more than 300 new homes, the project brings renewed energy to a site that has been part of Durham’s fabric for generations.
Our team is proud to help carry its story forward.
To view more project from our interiors team, click the link below:
