Public Radio for the Piedmont and High Country
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Former Reynolds Tobacco Plant The Site Of Future Lofts, Hotel, And Retail

Two of the original buildings in Whitaker Park will be turned into residential units during the first phase of the project. BETHANY CHAFIN/WFDD

Winston-Salem and Forsyth County officials and developers announced new plans for Whitaker Park in the city's North Ward. 

Placeholder

Chris Harrison reveals plans for Whitaker Park development. BETHANY CHAFIN/WFDD

It will be the site of new mixed-use development including 314 residential apartments, a hotel, and retail space.

The manufacturing complex was first developed in the 1930s by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and was recently donated by Reynolds America to the local redevelopment group, Whitaker Park Development Authority, Inc (WPDA). 

The lead developer is Chris Harrison who also worked on Plant 64 in the Innovation Quarter. He says the first phase of the project is scheduled to begin in 2020.

“We're planning a 15-month construction. We're hoping to get it done in 12, but we'll see what happens,” Harrison says.

The city will invest close to $4 million from bonds passed in 2014.

The area will also house Cook Medical, which announced last year that it would convert another building in Whitaker Park into a medical device manufacturing facility.

*Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the fact that the portion of the Whitaker Park manufacturing campus that was donated was given to the local redevelopment group known as the Whitaker Park Development Authority or WPDA — a nonprofit corporation — and not the city and county as previously reported.     

Bethany joined the staff of WFDD in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University and focused on Anglo-Irish writing. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming Assistant News Director, Bethany was a reporter and Associate Producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.

Donate