Honoring the Past, Building the Future

Restoring 1211 Fayetteville Street in Durham

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At Mayo Investment Group, building homes is only part of what we do. Equally important to us is honoring the neighborhoods we work in, the people who shaped them, and the stories that came long before we ever broke ground. That’s why restoring 1211 Fayetteville Street wasn’t just another project—it was a responsibility, and a privilege.

This two-story home, located in the heart of Durham’s historic Hayti district, once belonged to Dr. J. Napoleon Mills, a pioneering Black physician, community leader, and advocate for education and wellness during the early 20th century. Built around 1915, the home sat on a corner lot across from the historic library on Fayetteville Street, one of Durham’s most storied corridors.

Dr. Mills wasn’t just a doctor. He opened a private practice, served at Lincoln Hospital, and worked for both North Carolina Mutual and North Carolina College—two of the most influential institutions in Black economic and educational history. His presence on Fayetteville Street added to the spirit and strength of Hayti, once called “Black Wall Street” for its thriving Black-owned businesses, professionals, and cultural institutions.

By the time we arrived at 1211 Fayetteville, the home had fallen into deep disrepair. But beneath the weathered exterior was a foundation full of history, pride, and purpose—and we knew we had to approach the restoration with more than tools. We needed respect, intention, and a vision that could both protect the past and prepare it for the future.

Working closely with local preservation guidance, we updated the structure while preserving its original character. From woodwork and window lines to period-appropriate finishes, our goal was never to erase history—it was to make it livable again while keeping its soul intact. Today, the home stands as a bridge between eras—a reminder of who helped build Durham and what this community continues to stand for.

This project was more than construction—it was an opportunity to invest in legacy, uplift our community, and protect a piece of Durham’s rich cultural fabric. We’re proud to have played a part in its restoration and even more proud to see it standing strong again in the neighborhood that made it matter.

Because at Mayo Investment Group, we don’t just build in communities—we build with them, for them, and because of them.