In the heart of downtown Durham, tucked between an evolving skyline and a growing sense of urgency for social equity, sits ReCity Network—a space built on proximity, purpose, and people.
Originally envisioned by Founder and Director KJ Hill as a hub for nonprofits and social impact ventures, ReCity has evolved into something even more powerful: a coworking community where impact isn’t a byproduct. It’s the whole point.
And since Bobby Duke joined as Community Manager, that mission has only grown deeper.
“When I started, we had a handful of coworking members and just four occupied offices,” Duke says, reflecting on his first days at ReCity. “We had 21,000 square feet and barely scratched the surface of what was possible.”
With an early surge in membership at the onset of their opening from 2016 to the pandemic, the previous ReCity team, who built the foundation for what ReCity is known for now, was in survival mode due to the pandemic. Having run lean and mean while serving their community through a tough time, Hill knew they were ready for a new fire to be lit once the pandemic passe. Which is when he teamed up with Duke, as well as their Operations Manager, Geno Eaves, to carry this vision forward
Fast forward a year, and ReCity now supports over 60 organizations and more than 300 individuals. The space is home to a dynamic mix of nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits… organizations that may differ in structure but share a deep commitment to community change.
And how did Bobby and the team build that momentum without a marketing team or budget?
“Follow-up,” he says with a laugh. “No secret sauce. Just human connection. Making sure people feel heard and showing them why this place matters.”
Hill often says, “Coworking is a means to an end.” For ReCity, that end is better health outcomes, equity in access, and economic mobility across Durham.
Their members run the gamut, from reentry services for the formerly incarcerated to small tech startups that build tools for nonprofits. What unites them isn’t what they do, but who they’re doing it for.
“When people come here, they might be drawn in by affordable prices,” Duke says, “but they stay because they understand the bigger picture. The money they spend helps subsidize space for others trying to change the world.”
One standout initiative is (re)DINE, a monthly pay-what-you-can community meal hosted by a member who’s both a chef and a farmer. He sources surplus produce from local CSAs, cooks hearty meals, and for every meal purchased, another is donated to someone in need. The leftovers? Delivered to shelters and senior homes.
Other events range from health equity fairs to youth-led farmers markets. The common thread: creating environments where every attendee feels welcome, from a retired investor to someone seeking services for the first time.
As it’s said, community is the antidote to apathy, and Duke agrees. “When you sit across a table from someone whose life is totally different from yours, but you're sharing a meal or solving a problem together, that’s how change starts.”
There’s a word that shows up on ReCity’s website and in every conversation with its team: proximity.
The belief is simple: when people share space, conversations happen. Relationships form. Services align. Impact multiplies.
As Duke puts it, “You can’t schedule serendipity. But you can build the conditions for it.”
He’s constantly making introductions. He paired a new mental health startup founder with someone launching a related nonprofit, or linking a financial advisor to a young founder trying to get a business off the ground.
“These collisions don’t just make people feel supported,” he says. “They drive real results.”
Space that supports growth (and scales with you)
ReCity offers a range of workspaces tailored for scaling missions:
What makes this model unique is how flexible and intentional it is. From subsidized pricing to accessible AV-equipped spaces, the entire footprint was designed to foster inclusion.
“No one here is upsold into a space that doesn’t fit,” Duke explains. “We meet people where they are.”
Beyond office space, ReCity is building out wraparound services to support its members holistically.
From professional development grants to partnerships that offer free therapy and business coaching, the goal is to ensure members do more than get by. They get ahead.
The ReCity Staff is also piloting partnerships that would connect members with vetted professionals in accounting, marketing, and legal services, many at no cost or deeply discounted rates.
“We want to become Durham’s social impact hub,” he says. “The place where anyone—whether they’re launching a nonprofit, growing a business, or seeking support—knows they can come to get connected.”
ReCity Network is a living, breathing ecosystem that proves what’s possible when community leads the way. Whether it’s giving a nonprofit their first real office or sparking an unexpected partnership over coffee, every square foot is working toward something bigger.
If you're in Durham and want to plug into a space where mission meets momentum, ReCity is where you need to be.
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