Downtown Chapel Hill Apartments for Rent

Nicknamed “The Southern Part of Heaven,” downtown Chapel Hill, North Carolina, lives up to its name. Picturesque streets lined with small shops, historic homes, and arts galleries create the perfect setting for full-time Chapel Hill residents and visiting college students.

Downtown Chapel Hill is home to The University of North Carolina, the nation’s oldest state university. Steeped in rich history, the University has helped define this mid-sized town. Since its inception in 1795, the University of North Carolina has infused its energy and culture in Chapel Hill. Today, the university offers numerous under-graduate and graduate degrees and is home to a number of research laboratories.

Newer condominiums and apartments settle against the backdrop of older, stately homes in Chapel Hill. Because Chapel Hill is a college town, walking and biking are prevalent forms of transportation.

The area of downtown Chapel Hill is defined by two distinct areas — Franklin Street and the “Mile of Culture.”

Franklin Street is the heart of downtown and includes over 300 shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

The “Mile of Culture” holds Chapel Hill’s cultural attractions, within walking distance of each other. The Franklin Streets Arts Collective, features over 70 local artists and collections. Also on Franklin Street, the Kidzu Children’s Museum and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center offer programs for all ages. Residents often visit the Wilson Library, University of North Carolina’s acclaimed library featuring 120,000 artifacts and books. The Dean E. Smith Center, home to the North Carolina Tar Heels, and the Carolina Basketball Museum are also located within the area.

Chapel Hill was named after the Church of England’s New Hope Chapel, which stood amidst one of the area’s rolling hills. That history remains present in the homes, buildings, and businesses that define downtown Chapel Hill today and provide a historic space for residents to live, work, and learn.