Nonprofit FHI 360 to Relocate HQ to American Tobacco Campus

by Adriana Pop, Associate Editor

FHI 360 plans to move its headquarters and about 400 employees to downtown Durham’s American Tobacco Campus next year.

The transaction represents one of the largest leases signed in the Triangle in recent years, providing American Tobacco’s owner, Capitol Broadcasting, with an anchor tenant.

The NewsObserver reports the Durham-based international nonprofit organization has signed a 15-year lease to occupy about 95,000 square feet in the 130,000-square-foot Diamond View III office building.

Located near the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the five-story, LEED-certified development is the third building in an office complex planned to revitalize a historic section of the city. Currently under construction, the facility will include about 15,000 square feet of retail space and is slated to open in mid-2013.

“Throughout the selection process, we focused on identifying a location that reflects the vision and values of FHI 360,” CEO Albert J. Siemens said in a statement. “The effort to revitalize Durham’s urban area mirrors our own commitment to helping individuals and communities reach their highest potential. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting development here in Durham.”

Previously known as Family Health International, FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization operating in more than 60 countries. Since its inception in 1971, it has established offices in Washington DC, New York, Massachusetts, Pretoria, Kenya and Thailand.

In other news, the City Council unanimously approved Summit Hospitality Group’s proposal to develop a Residence Inn by Marriott on a half-acre, city-owned parcel in downtown Raleigh. Summit Hospitality plans a $23 million, 11-story hotel with 140 to 154 rooms, restaurant and retail space on the site between the Raleigh Convention Center and the Progress Energy Performing Arts Center.

The Triangle Business Journal reports that Summit Hospitality was one of three hotel groups that submitted proposals to build a hotel. The other two developers were Raleigh Prime Investors LLC of Greenville and Noble Investment Group of Atlanta.