Projects & Construction:
I want to thank the photographers and local businesses, sharing updates on projects, who make this thread possible. Without you, these updates won't happen. The best way you can thank these photographers and local businesses is through hiring them or buying from them, if you can. Thank you to the businesses that allow us to go on this construction journey with you! Please support those investing in downtown. May this construction update help people learn about and find your business during these tough times.
Big growth news this week! Winston-Salem is the second hottest new home market in North Carolina and the hottest new home market of the state's large cities! Winston-Salem also leads the 12-county Triad region in sales of homes costing over $1 million.
• Video Link
Bailey South:
Restaurant tenant SixHundred° released exterior renderings for their space and will open around the end of February, if there aren't any delays.
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Yes, it's next to the Morris Building, which this developer will renovate next year:
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: Landmark Construction
Credit: saeedjaleel
Credit: micahbrownmedia
Credit: arieldavid
Credit: westwoodphoto
Black Mountain Chocolate Factory & Bar (Installing ceiling cloud made from individual triangles):
Credit: sunnysidemillwork
Black Mountain Chocolate Factory & Bar:
Credit: sunnysidemillwork
Black Mountain Chocolate Factory & Bar:
Credit: sunnysidemillwork
Exterior renderings and signage for restaurant SixHundred°:
Credit: chef_myers
Exterior renderings and signage for restaurant SixHundred°:
Credit: chef_myers
The signage above the doors, in the rendering above: "SOCIAL ROOM & BAR" on the left and "sixhundred° LIVE FIRE KITCHEN" on the right. Chef Myers was 2018 North Carolina Chef of the Year, so this should be a great restaurant.
Interior view of restaurant SixHundred° with massive steel doors:
Credit: viatordesignandconstruction
Credit: julsss13
Credit: mariabella03.15
Credit: winstonwithkids
Credit: r8ron
Credit: theporchws
Credit: tobaccoroadpurveyors
Credit: skinserphoto
Credit: nikkodesigns
Credit: cuginofornows
Credit: winstonwatchman
Credit: Innovation Quarter
This visitor from Boston loved Winston-Salem:
Credit: beantown_luv
One Research Tower:
And we have financing! GIC, a Singapore global real estate investment firm, will become a 45% owner of this proposed 11-15 storey building in downtown Winston-Salem's IQ District. This is one of the world's leading real estate investors. They may also become an investor in other projects in downtown's IQ District. All COVID-19 delays are ending and the development team is ready to start on new projects.
Morris Building:
The contractor is staying on site, now. Still waiting for the big announcement.
Credit: tim_hutch
Credit: lidiarphotography
Credit: ambereastcoast
Downtown Embassy Suites Renovation:
This building could be returning to our project list, as they prepare to start on a renovation of the City-owned meeting space, along with the lobby, atrium, and entrance vestibule.
8 West Third Street:
Credit: deltatomahawkchop422
Courthouse Parking Deck:
Remember this project? Forsyth County will cover the roof of this new parking deck with solar panels.
Liberty Park:
This park may have had a design change? The architect is trying to make the park as green as possible and keep the grade to 4.9% or less, if I remember correctly?
I tried to enlarge this image:
Credit: Frank L. Blum Construction
Credit: breannamckay23
Kaleideum Science Museum:
This project had a small design change, due to being over-budget. You can see the changes, in the renderings below.
You can see the Kaleideum and Liberty Park construction sites:
Credit: meezyblvd
Kaleideum on the left (mud lot) and Merschel Park on the right (grass lot):
Credit: karinavodevil
Credit: Frank L. Blum Construction
Renderings:
Credit: Frank L. Blum Construction
Axons:
Credit: Frank L. Blum Construction
Top Floor (left) and First Floor (right):
Credit: Frank L. Blum Construction
Merschel Park:
The park can't move forward until something happens with the Hyatt Place project, since the western wall of the hotel is needed to build the park. The City will meet in January to discuss this project, which may involve the City taking-over the park project and building it without the hotel developer.
Credit: deltatomahawkchop422
WFBH Eye Institute:
It appears as if Ballinger Architects may have designed this project? That is just a guess from me. They are a Philadelphia-based architect. This will be the next project in downtown's IQ District, early next year.
Forsyth County Courthouse:
A skybridge does connect this building with the Forsyth County Government Center. The skybridge rises above a stairway. Yes, Second Street will become another street that has stairs, between Chestnut Street and Patterson Avenue, due to steep terrain. That block of Second Street will become a pedestrian plaza (no cars allowed) and they are modifying it to be more green. This building will also have a tunnel, connecting it to another neighboring building.
Current Architect Rendering and Elevations:
Credit: CBRE Heery
The courtyard has changed, from the rendering above, and has stairs and more greenery now:
Credit: CJMW
Centenary UMC Renovation:
This project is nearing completion.
Credit: lambert_architecture
MINIM:
Our first look inside the 1922 Patton / Realty Building that will be restored and incorporated into this new construction condominium and office development. This project seems to be on-hold at the moment, with the developer leasing the storefronts while we wait.
Credit: urbanmez
Bowman Gray Stadium Renovation:
Restroom structures were demolished and they are pouring pads for new construction restroom and concession structures. They will try to hold some events during construction in April.
Park at 74:
Developer Front Street Capital has hired Landmark Builders to start work on Park at 74. Work will begin soon on a 250,000 square-foot building at the site, built on spec, expected to be completed in Fall 2021. Yes, this is on the new Interstate 74, inside the city limits, near Winston-Salem's Alliance Science & Technology Park. Look for work to also start soon on a 550,000 square-foot building at this site. Contact Front Street Capital, if you're interested in leasing.
Fiddlin' Fish Brewing Expansion:
Fiddlin' Fish Brewing Company, a craft beer brewery in downtown's Arts District, will expand with a renovation project at 214 West Eighth Street. Colmar is the General Contractor for the project. This is the blue building next to their brick building on Eighth Street. Yes, it is an adaptive-reuse project. This brewery is growing fast and is in need of a sizable expansion. I can tell you it's one of the most popular stops for out-of-town beer lovers visiting the local breweries.
The Easley Apartments:
The center of the doughnut is completed. General Contractor Samet Corp., said, "That feeling when you add the last panel to your 4-story, 108,743 square foot parking deck. Winston-Salem’s Easley apartment community is one step closer to completion!"
I think the general contractor was wrong? It appears to be a 5-storey parking deck?
Credit: Samet Corp
Credit: TrueLook
It appears as if Wells Fargo is renovating their financial tech center (red brick building in the background)?
Credit: TrueLook
Credit: TrueLook
This answers a question: What does this project look like from inside the ballpark:
Credit: childoftheivy
Whitaker Park Mixed-use Project:
WPDA is in talks with two, possibly three, tenants interested in moving their headquarters to this development. One of these tenants is interested in leasing 140,000 square feet. I don't have any details on the other two possible headquarters projects at this time.
Science & Office Building: Built! 
This project is now completed. It includes a makerspace, IT data center, conference space, and a three-storey atrium. It provides state-of-the-art facilities for biotechnology and research. Business N.C., selected it as a winner in their list of North Carolina's best new structures.
These photographs are from earlier this year and it may contain a few renderings:
Credit: Design Collective
624 North Trade:
Cleveland-based GBX Group has acquired three sites with two buildings in downtown Winston-Salem's Arts District for another new project. It's expected to start in 2021. They are already working on this new project, but it's mostly negotiations and behind the scenes work and nothing visible at the site. There is talk of retail/restaurant space. Most of the information on their plans is just rumors at this time, so we may have to wait to know what their plans are. One neighboring property owner is saying demolition and new construction at this site, but I'm not sure if that will happen, since GBX Group is known for reusing old buildings. I doubt they would demolish anything?
Chronicle Building:
Bark Avenue Boutique + Barkery opened on Monday, November 9, 2020 in the Chronicle Building. It's an awesome store! If you have a dog, you should visit. This is across the street from Artivity on the Green in downtown's Arts District. There are still three remaining retail spaces in this building, if you're interested. I love this adaptive-reuse of the former Chronicle Newspaper Building.
The new Bark Avenue store, across from Artivity on the Green in downtown:
Credit: barkavenuewsnc
Credit: barkavenuewsnc
Yes, they do have face masks for dogs:
Credit: barkavenuewsnc
Credit: barkavenuewsnc
Yes, it's open in downtown's Arts District, across from Artivity on the Green!
Credit: barkavenuewsnc
Credit: barkavenuewsnc
This space is still available (far left side):
Credit: therealkhajaa
A look at what I think are new concrete planters?
Credit: lawrgrand
Crystal Towers Apartments:
The photographer spoke of the major renovation, but no real details:
Credit: winstonwatchman
Lofts @ Whitaker Park:
The developer of this 163-unit adaptive-reuse apartment project will add 16 affordable units. Historic tax credits are involved in this adaptive-reuse project and they usually require a nice restoration of the buildings. The developer will construct retail, hotel units, and 150 additional apartment units, in new construction buildings, next to this site over the next three-to-four years.
Interstate 74:
Interstate 74 - Interstate 285 - Interstate 274 Stack Interchange:
Credit: BlytheConst1
You can see the skyline in the background:
Credit: BlytheConst1
Nationwide Marketing Headquarters:
A look inside:
Credit: karenfridy
This is an amazing transformation!
Credit: karenfridy
You can see the new roof access, new fire escape, and plastic was removed from the windows:
Credit: therealkhajaa
This building will have a rooftop amenity area, which is the rooftop construction you see in the photographs.
An aerial view of the roof access construction (Saturday 11/28):
Credit: TrueLook
They still haven't started on the storefronts in the brick building:
Credit: deltatomahawkchop422
Twin City Motor Building Adaptive-reuse:
The developer is now seeking a permit for additional interior work. This former Ford Model-T Assembly Plant & Showroom will be converted to a food hall, restaurant, bars, bowling, golf simulators, a conference center, and more.
Credit: heidawaycaptures
The restored Model-T and an update on the interior painting:
Credit: hermestrismegistus95
1245 Ivy Avenue:
An update on the Art Deco building designed by architect Albert Kahn.
A suite:
Credit: thewarehouseonivy
Salem Parkway:
Is this project now completed?
Credit: its_pronounced_hawryluk
George Black House & Brickyard Museum:
It's rare to find updates on this project. It's still moving forward!
Credit: Preservation Forsyth
Reynolda Gardens Restoration:
Reynolda Gardens is working on a major restoration of the 134-acre Thomas Sears design, bringing back the amazing canopy of weeping cherry trees the gardens were once known for. You have to go back to the 1950s to find photographs and news articles on the magical tunnel of cherry blossoms that helped to make the gardens a big tourist attraction for Winston-Salem. They will also replace the soil and use insect and disease treatments. Wood from the still existing old cherry trees will be given to local artisans. In addition to the work on the cherry trees, they will also restore all of the tea houses, add a boardwalk, and rehab the trails. Work should be completed by the start of the new year. The cherry trees should be an amazing attraction in Spring 2021. Something to get excited about in the new year.
401 West End Blvd:
Credit: gather.wsnc
Credit: lavenderandhoneykitchen
Credit: lavenderandhoneykitchen
Credit: lavenderandhoneykitchen
Credit: lavenderandhoneykitchen
Credit: lavenderandhoneykitchen
The shorter 1-storey side:
Credit: lavenderandhoneykitchen
The 2-storey side, facing the former canal:
Credit: lmi.builders
500 West 5th:
e-commerce clothing company Loops & Wales is the newest headquarters at 500 West 5th.
Progress at Renfro's new headquarters in 500 West 5th:
Credit: viatordesignandconstruction
Credit: viatordesignandconstruction
Credit: viatordesignandconstruction
Credit: viatordesignandconstruction
Credit: viatordesignandconstruction
Credit: stitchdesignshop
Credit: ogmikism
Kimel Park Surgery Center:
Credit: hardawaysziabowski
Woodruff Aviation College:
We haven't seen an update on this project in a long time!
Credit: atlantic_fire_controls
Credit: atlantic_fire_controls
Stevens Center Renovation:
Credit: sjbrookerc
Credit: sjbrookerc
Credit: sjbrookerc
Sentinel Commons:
You never know what you may find around Winston-Salem! It's great to see some of the city's weirdness return!
Credit: activateentertainment
Top floor of the 1927 Independence Hall Building:
Credit: jasperandfern
Credit: jasperandfern
Credit: jasperandfern
Credit: jasperandfern
This top floor space was originally a radio station and the radio towers were on the building's roof:
Credit: Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Public Library
Link Apartments 4th Street:
Some of what you are looking at is the construction of underground parking. The terrain rises to the north and the parking will be constructed into the ridge, under the building. The area fronting Fourth Street (Restaurant Row) will have a leasing office, fitness center, bike storage & repair center, and a retail space for a possible restaurant or bar. In the renderings, you will notice an entrance to the underground parking on both sides of the apartment building.
Credit: asburymotors
An update from the WSTB Forum:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by RoedigerHouse @ WSTB Forum
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An aerial view from the 20th floor of a neighboring skyscraper (Notice SAMET on the crane lights-up at night):
Credit: Chris Zona
Moving Fast! (Monday 11/09):
Credit: Fam Brownlee
Credit: KristenDaukas
Credit: ggunsallus
Credit: Fam Brownlee
These are the three finalists for the sculpture (public art) at the corner of Fourth and Spruce streets, at the Link Apartments 4th Street's office entrance. This apartment building's developer (Grubb Properties) will pay part of the sculpture's cost.
Credit: City of Winston-Salem
Credit: City of Winston-Salem
This will light from within, with this design glowing at night:
Credit: City of Winston-Salem
Alternative Transportation:
Oliver Cycling Park:
Between now and April, this park will see a dramatic transformation! Completion is set for October 2024, when a bicycle flyover ramp will be completed, connecting Salem Parkway Bike & Pedestrian Path with other bike paths at this park. Yes, it's an under construction park for cyclists at a major cycle path intersection.
An aerial view:
Credit: NCDOT
Credit: Creative Corridors
Credit: Creative Corridors
Green Street Pedestrian Bridge: Built!
This project is now completed. The ribbon cutting ceremony was Friday, November 13.
Yes, that is The Easley Apartments construction site in the background:
Credit: timbowman
The Easley Apartments' cores and deck are the view from the middle of the bridge:
Credit: a.j._smith
Credit: samyfs__lsa
Credit: tr_peterson
Ribbon Cutting:
Credit: SarahinWS
Credit: winstonwatchman
Credit: its_pronounced_hawryluk
Credit: maymcneil
Credit: hamptoninnsuiteswsdowntown
Credit: herbertkrabel
Bike & Pedestrian Land Bridge: Built!
This project is now completed! The ribbon cutting ceremony was Friday, November 13. Workers will continue to construct an art-filled park around the bridge, which is a separate project.
Aerial View:
Credit: NCDOT
Ribbon for the ribbon cutting:
Credit: SarahinWS
Credit: Keith Stone
Color-changing lights at night and walkway lighting:
Credit: NCDOT
I guess we have to wait for the landscaping to grow and cover the ugly fencing?
Credit: mr_tony_goebel
Credit: Creative Corridors
Credit: Creative Corridors
A few days after the opening and it's still very popular!
Credit: winstonwandering
Bike Share Expansion:
The Winston-Salem-based National Cycling Center has purchased all of the docking stations and bikes in Winston-Salem from Zagster, which went bankrupt and dissolved a few months ago. The National Cycling Center also acquired more bicycles and ten docking stations to expand Winston-Salem's popular bike share system. They are currently repairing bicycles, signing more sponsors, and rebranding the system. Expect to see Winston-Salem's bike share relaunch early next year.
Salem Parkway Bike & Pedestrian Path:
Workers are installing a fence between the ballpark and cycling/walking path and design is starting on the western segment. HDR appears to be the design firm for most of this work? The bicycle flyover ramp is 375 feet / 114.3 metres in length. Due to funding issues at NCDOT, this may not open until around October 2024?
Credit: tr_peterson
Credit: jacobjlane
This bike and walking path is below the small archways:
Credit: staceycb1
Downtown Streetscape:
Construction has started on the conversion of First and Second streets to two-way traffic. They are working on the curb first, which should take six-to-eight weeks to complete. Changes to the sidewalks, street lighting, and street furniture won't happen until this two-way conversion is completed.
Off-Subject:
• Video Link
As was posted earlier, Winston-Salem is North Carolina's Wine Country. This is a fun vineyard, with llamas. It's the largest llama farm in the southeast. Divine Llama Vineyards was started by an architect from Winston-Salem's CJMW (vineyard owner Michael West is the "W" in CJMW). If you would like to visit, take Reynolda Road northwest. Winston-Salem's major art museums are also located on Reynolda Road. At 4:06, in the video, you will see Winston-Salem's skyline. You can also see the Sauratown Mountains, with the highest peaks in the Winston-Salem metro area. If you're visiting Winston-Salem, you should visit one or more of the vineyards. The vineyards and beer breweries are a major part of Winston-Salem's identity and there are organized tours of both. Some vineyards also brew their own beer, too.
Hottest New Home Markets in North Carolina:
Winston-Salem is actually the hottest new home market among the state's big cities and wasn't too far from taking the #1 overall title! A large number of people are moving to Winston-Salem right now! Winston-Salem is now ranked nationally among the winner cities benefiting from people leaving the largest cities and moving to mid-sized cities.
Hottest Home Building Markets Over the Past Year:
1. Burlington: 42%
2. Winston-Salem: 40%
3. Charlotte: 17%
It's likely due to Winston-Salem being a small city that looks and feels several times larger than it actually is. Winston-Salem also has the arts amenities of a much larger city. Add-in the setting, as the state's wine county, and the rivers, mountains, trails, and growing cycling amenities and it's easy to see why Winston-Salem is attractive to those leaving the nation's major cities. They are buying both downtown condominiums and large homes. They seem to be upper-end buyers, as you will see below...
Million Dollar Home Sales in 2020:
Nearly half of all the homes sold in 2020 costing over $1 million in the 12-county Triad region are inside the Winston-Salem City Limits. The most expensive home sold in the 12-county Triad region is inside the Winston-Salem City Limits. Roughly two-thirds of all homes sold in 2020 costing over $1 million in the 12-county Triad region are in Forsyth County (The small county Winston-Salem is in). There is a large increase in people moving to Winston-Salem from New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, and California.
Random Photographs:
Downtown Winston-Salem will appear in Wrangler advertisements for their 2021 clothing line:
Credit: chelsieravenell
Credit: sarahwjenkins
An awesome skyline mural:
Credit: karenbrittonart
A new downtown Cuban restaurant in a 1920s former bank building:
Credit: Preservation Forsyth
More houses dating back to the mid-1700s:
Credit: cataloguedaesthetics
You can see a skyscraper in the background, to show how close the houses from the mid-1700s are to downtown:
Credit: Shane Smith
Credit: _walem_sinston
Credit: authorannaliseclark
A blindfolded dancer with balloons? Keep Winston-Salem Weird!
Credit: activateentertainment
Credit: winston_360
Winston-Salem's West Salem Neighborhood:
Credit: lynette.raine
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