About the Studebaker Building

This former Studebaker dealership (c. 1925) had been converted into a restaurant in 1990 and then sat vacant for several years before Headwall Development and partner Brad Wiese bought it in 2006. We immediately changed the building’s use to creative-style office, and undertook interior demolition and exterior renovations to create a new shell and bring this outstanding industrial building back to life.

Shell renovations

• Interior demolition
• Restored and rebuilt exterior
• New floor systems and stairways
• Added new windows and skylights
• Rebuilt elevator and sprinkler system
• New electrical and plumbing services
• Created site plan for central courtyard

Custom Upfit

After signing the international ad agency Ogilvy & Mather to a long-term lease for 18,000 SF (80% of the building), Headwall oversaw the custom design and build process for their creative interior upfit. By forming a 4-way collaboration between tenant, developer, architect and builder, we were able to highlight the building's unique architectural elements while providing a fun and functional workspace for 58 employees. Centered around the art gallery/ kitchen/ lounge space, the office features 3 high-tech conference rooms, 18 executive offices, spacious workstations, a screen printing area, a mezzanine library with a custom spiral stair and a large 2nd floor deck for entertaining clients. Skylights and abundant windows wash natural light over the stained concrete and heart pine floors, exposed brick walls, and steel trusses.

Tenants

100% occupied by 3 long-term office tenants.

• Ogilvy & Mather (18,000 SF).
• Main Street Clinical Associates (3,200 SF)
• Durham Magazine (1,500 SF)

All tenant upfits were custom-designed and completed within budget and on schedule.

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