Bailey South is a six-story mixed-use project centrally located in downtown Winston-Salem. When this project began, the site had an existing building with an adjoining decommissioned smokestack which were the remains of the previous power plant which was operated by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The former power plant building has been repurposed for the modern needs of commercial tenants while maintaining its historic appearance. Additionally, a new 65,000 square foot building wraps these historic structures and has a connection to an elevated pedestrian pathway, which was previously repurposed from a decommissioned rail line.
This project creates a contextually rich environment that blends the site’s history with the current needs of the community and thereby creates a powerful and aesthetic contrast between old and new buildings and contributes to the attractiveness and enjoyment of downtown Winston-Salem.
Robert Hall - Joseph Winston Award
Project Owner: William and Christy Cox Spencer
The rehabilitation of what is now known as Robert Hall in the Industry Hill neighborhood of Winston-Salem features an independent brewery, a series of Airbnb accommodations, and a private events venue. The masonry facade of this building is original to the early twentieth century and a new roof, windows, doors, charming awnings, and planter boxes have all been added to accentuate the building’s renovated exterior. The building’s site also features a new patio area with outdoor fireplaces; beautiful trees and landscaping; and a wishing well that was discovered on the grounds during construction.
The exterior of Robert Hall is playfully eclectic while also maintaining the general character and underlying bones of this flexible and enduring commercial building which has been a doctor’s office, café, sign company, and fabrication shop during its nearly one-hundred-year history. The recent substantial investments in this building will likely ensure that it endures for another hundred years and also further elevates the Industry Hill neighborhood.
Green Street Pedestrian Bridge - Mayor's Award
Architect: Donald MacDonald Bridge Architects, LLP
Project Organizer: Creative Corridors Coalition
The Green Street Pedestrian Bridge connects West Salem with Truist Stadium and other north-side destinations, including downtown Winston-Salem. This bridge provides another vital pedestrian connection across a major roadway within our community and has brought us closer together.
Donald MacDonald, the designer for this bridge and the Twin Arches gateway structure in Winston-Salem, drew his design inspiration for the bridge from the arching form of the oak trees seen throughout our local landscape. The paired arch form of the Green Street Pedestrian Bridge creates an impression that both reflects its substantial, heavy structural nature, while also being harmonious with the scale of its pedestrian and bicyclist users. This is a difficult balance to strike, but this bridge achieves this balance and has become an icon within Winston-Salem.
720 North Pine Valley Road Residence Renovation - City Council Award
Renovation Architect: Pete Fala, STITCH Design Shop
Landscape Designer: Double Creek Road, LLC
The residence at 720 North Pine Valley Road was designed by architect Kenneth Burge in 1958 and is a carefully designed steel and concrete dwelling which is emblematic of the mid-century Modern style. The simplicity and level of custom detailing in this home are extraordinary and its prudent renovation was about uncovering, repairing, and updating the original design, as opposed to radically reimaging it. New warmly stained cypress siding was installed to the façade which complements the house’s wooded backdrop; and the layout of its windows were lightly revised to allow for more transparency, while still being firmly in line with the rhythm of the original design.
While many residential dwellings often appear similar to one another, the well thought out renovation of 720 North Pine Valley Road reminds us how refreshing it can be when a building stands out so sharply and uniquely.
Mary Alice Warren Community Center - County Commissioners Award
Project Owner: Town of Lewisville
Although the Mary Alice Warren Community Center was just recently built in Lewisville, it has already become a vibrant destination for resident enrichment, social networking, and community building through its great variety of events, programs, and classes which it offers for residents of all ages. The Mary Alice Warren Community Center’s underlying purpose as an active hub for social and civic engagement was also reflected in the process for how the building was planned and built. This process was a participatory one, involving a resident advisory group that provided vital input as the project progressed; a substantial public outreach process to a number of clubs and organizations; as well as the participation and involvement of a number of Lewisville’s existing boards and commissions.
This community center features a variety of building materials and decorative accents on its façade which enliven its appearance, while its color palette works to establish an environment that is both calm and inviting. Additionally, the building’s exterior features a covered patio area where the conversations held inside can spill outside on nice days. The Mary Alice Warren Community Center has been well designed to meet the needs of the building’s purpose and therefore should be apt in meeting the needs of the residents of both the Town of Lewisville and Forsyth County for years to come.
Menorah Valley at Temple Emanuel - Benjamin Forsyth Award
Having an outdoor gathering space had long been a dream of the congregation of Temple Emanuel and the onset of the COVID pandemic transformed this dream into an immediate necessity. The Temple worked with the project’s designer and landscapers to create a multi-use outdoor space that is both highly functional and blends seamlessly into the hillside.
The landscape consists of steps and a concrete path which connect the Temple’s sanctuary building with the large paved meeting area and small covered pavilion which were built in the valley. Menorah Valley derives its name from the large steel Hanukkah menorah situated in the valley which had been donated to the Temple years earlier. The design incorporates native plants, is surrounded by mature trees, and includes eco-friendly benches near the Temple’s sanctuary building. The sum of the site elements introduced at Menorah Valley result in a new landscape that complements and blends into the context and contours of its surroundings. It is an elegant and understated design that should serve the congregation well for years to come.
Walkertown Area Historical Society - Flora Ann Bynum Award
Since early 2016, members of the Walkertown Area Historical Society have been dutifully maintaining a stretch of road in their community via their regular participation in the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway Program. The group elected to take care of Sullivantown Road in and around Walkertown. Along this stretch of road is situated several buildings and institutions that are important within the community, including: the historic Thomas A. Crews and Booe Houses; Walkertown’s Town Center Park; Walkertown High School and Middle School; a church; as well as numerous residential houses; and a few farms.
The volunteer group organized by the Walkertown Area Historical Society is self-described as a motley crew made up of historical society members and the occasional grand kid recruit. The natural and clean appearance of the spaces surrounding many of our county’s roadways are an easy thing to overlook and the jury panel believed it fitting to recognize the Walkertown Area Historical Society for their hard work and dedication in keeping one of their community’s roadways clean.
Long Branch Trail - AIA Winston-Salem Award
Civil Engineer and Landscape Architect: Stimmel Associates, PA
Engineers: SKA Consulting Engineers, Preferred Engineering, and ECS Engineering Services
General Contractors: Charles D. Lowder, Inc. and Smith-Rowe, LLC
The Long Branch Trail is a multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path which repurposes an inactive railroad corridor in downtown Winston-Salem. The trail provides a much-needed bike and pedestrian link through Innovation Quarter, connecting Wake Forest University’s Downtown Campus with other parts of downtown and other neighborhoods. Provided at various locations along the trail are connections to buildings, parking areas, and public streets. The trail also includes paved plazas with outdoor seating; general and decorative lighting; informational signage; and vibrant, lush landscaping.
The project includes four new pedestrian bridges over public streets, including a 3-span bridge that is nearly 300’ long. The trail cleverly blends and utilizes new and historic materials and thereby reflects on one of the essential characteristics that make high-density urban spaces so uniquely beautiful and interesting. In addition to its aesthetic beauty and tranquil landscaping, the trail has had a significant impact on how people live, work, and play downtown and is an outstanding example of what a multiuse path can be in an urban setting.
Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership – Community Appearance Commission Award
Throughout its history, the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership has been a tireless booster of the businesses, residents, and the general appearance and spirit of our downtown. Its work and involvement extend into events large and small that everyone can take part in, including the Summer Music Series, its Shop the Block Program, and its Annual Meeting and excellence awards.
In addition to elevating the spirit of downtown with its events and programs, the Partnership also plays an indispensable role in keeping our downtown as verdant and litter-free as possible. It does this via the Clean Team, whose members can be seen regularly at work, ensuring downtown is both clean and green for its businesses, residents, and visitors. The Clean Team is just one example of the Partnership’s cross-cutting and collaborative work ethic, which has sought to elevate the profile and performance of the other organizations it interacts with in working towards achieving large common goals.
It’s hard to imagine downtown without the programs and aesthetic improvements that the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership has led and organized since its founding in 2001. The Community Appearance Commission wishes to recognize the Partnership for its past contributions to our downtown and community and we look forward to what it has in store for the future as well.
Winston Lake Park - Classic Award
Project Owner: City of Winston-Salem
Phase II (Completed in 2022) Project Team
Architect: Steele Group Architects
Structural Engineer: Arrowood & Arrowood
Civil Engineer: Allied Design
MEP Engineer: Rehab Engineering
Landscape Architects: Jordan Consultants and Oliver Design Studio
Furniture Selection: Hayden Interior Design
Contractor: Hodgin Construction
Winston Lake was created in the early twentieth century by building a dam along Frazier Creek to provide a new source of drinking water for residents. The history of Winston Lake Park dates back to 1952 when the City of Winston-Salem proposed the creation of a golf course, picnic facilities, playground, and swimming pool for Black residents. These initial facilities were constructed throughout the 1950s and early 1960s and the first nine holes of the golf course were opened in 1956.
From its founding, Winston Lake Park has been a popular destination for residents of our city and county and has provided open space to enjoy fishing, a picnic, or simply an opportunity to unwind and reconnect with nature. Many residents have fond memories of this landscape and it’s important that we both recognize its history and continue to work to maintain and improve this public landscape for the enjoyment of future generations.
In recognition of this need, the City of Winston-Salem has recently made significant investments to maintain and enhance this historic landscape. Phase 1 improvements included the creation of Winston Water Works Water Park, which included a pool, splash pad, water slide, and other supporting facilities. Phase 2 improvements included replacing the existing park picnic shelter, pier, and comfort station with beautiful new facilities, as well as creating or upgrading several other landscape elements.
Union Station - Classic Award
Architect: Fellheimer & Wagner
Restoration and Renovation (Completed in 2019) Project Team
Restoration / Renovation Architect: Walter Robbs Architects
Restoration / Renovation Contractor: New Atlantic Contracting
Project Owner: City of Winston-Salem
Union Station is a Local Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was constructed in 1926 as a train station to serve passengers of the Southern, Norfolk & Western, and Winston-Salem Southbound Railways. Union Station derives its name from the fact that the train companies formed a joint corporation to construct the station. Union Station was designed by Fellheimer & Wagner, a prominent New York architecture firm which designed train stations throughout the United States. Union Station combines the Beaux Arts style with Neoclassical details.
The number of passenger trains running through Union Station ebbed and flowed throughout its history and widespread consumer demand for car ownership and an expanding road network created during the 1950s and 1960s led to its ultimate decline as a passenger railway station. Passenger service to the station ceased in 1970 and the building was sold to a car repair business in 1975 and it was used in this capacity until 2012.
In 2014, the City of Winston-Salem was able to purchase this historic landmark. The scope of work for Union Station’s restoration and redevelopment included historic site development and integration of new parking areas; a full exterior restoration; as well as renovations or restorations of the interior Main Level, Office Level, and Track Level. This landmark site and building are now beautifully restored and reinvigorated for modern use via this detailed and meticulous restoration and renovation project.
