Formerly known as “91 Turkish” and part of the abandoned RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. manufacturing complex, the historic rehabilitation of this property initiated the urban revitalization of the north district of the Wake Forest Innovation Quarters into a vibrant research and innovation center. “Wake Forest Biotech Place”, designed to support the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s expanding research departments and technology spin-offs, houses over 250,000sf of offices and labs, and plays host as a regional conference center.

The tax credits that became available as a result of the meticulous restoration of the glass block façade (deemed one of the first full building glass block facades in the country by the National Park Service) and preservation of the building’s industrial character, created the economic feasibility for this landmark project. A large 75,000sf footprint fostered the creation of a 7,000sf 3-story glass enclosed atrium and daylighting strategies to support the various research neighborhoods and the an energy efficient “chilled beam” cooling plant made the building a LEED Gold recipient. This revitalization has become a destination in downtown Winston-Salem and a signature for future redevelopment in this former manufacturing district.

North District of the “Wake Forest Innovation Quarter”

A 1940 era photograph: 91 Turkish

Aerial view of the former Reynolds manufacturing plant and Turkish 91 (now known as Wake Forest Biotech Place).

Project Description and Introduction

525@Vine StreetRevitalized Multi-tenant and

Medical Education Center

Innovation Park

Future Wake Forest School of Medicine

Bailey Power Plant – Future Movie Theater and Restaurant Center

Vine

Str

eet

5th Street

6th Street

Patt

erso

n St

reet

Location: Winston-Salem, NCName: Wake Forest Biotech Place

Photos: Tom Holdsworth Photography

Turkish 91: A former tobacco factory breathes new life “sciences”.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation honors as one of the 10 most significant restoration projects of the year.

Wake Forest Biotech PlaceWinston-Salem, NC

15 foot glass block walls

The National Park Service required that the original full story height walls of 15 feet high glass block be maintained, and repaired for authenticity, demanding state of the art efficient HVAC systems.

Severely damaged two-piece glass block (sealed with lead) were surgically repaired and reinstalled.

A view of the abandoned building in 2008 before construction.

16 x 24 foot concrete column grid

Massive clean up and demolition was required to remove old 1930 (and beyond) vintage Reynold’s tobacco and stage the building for the revitalization. The surgical removal of a 75,000 sf floor was performed and replaced 18 inches higher in order to make the floor to floor dimensions acceptable for the new research operations.

The massive floor structures and columns placed on a 16 x 24 foot grid were maintained and the interior developed around to preserve the character of the industrial environment.

Historic Conditions

Before

After

Before

The art deco entrance cast stone facades and steel curtain wall added in the 1950s were restored to their original conditions.

Patterson Street – West Elevation6th Street – North Elevation

5th Street – South Elevation

1950s Addition

Vine Street – East Elevation

Original 1937 Building

The National Park Service permitted more liberal alterations to the 1950s wing exterior

in consideration of the extreme efforts to restore the 1937 building.

11 Common Collaborations12 Atrium Stair13 Vivarium Research

Level 2

East – West Section (EW)

Level 4

Level 1

Level 5

Level 3

Floor Levels 4 and 5Similar / Not shown

Legend: 1 Atrium Commons2 Entrance / Retail3 Office / Laboratories4 Offices / Marketing Center5 Service / Loading

1

1

2

3

3

4

3

5

6

6

8

8

8

8

9

10

6 Commons / Conference7 Classrooms8 Research Neighborhood9 Main Entrance Lobby10 Skylight

12 11

11

11 3

3

13 13

10

North - South Section Looking East (NS)

Level 2 Level 3Level 1

7

NS

1

EW

13 33 3

2 3

4

7

3

9

5

5

The restored glass block façade is illuminated at night and serves as a

welcoming “beacon” to residents that the neighborhood revitalization is alive.

View from Patterson and 5 th Street

Vine Street – East Elevation

5th Street Public Terrace Atrium CommonsPatterson Street – West Elevation

Exterior Revitalization

Atrium CommonsBefore

After

Atrium Overlook 2nd Break Collaboration Area Atrium Commons

The restored glass block façade seen “reflected” at Marketing Center Conference

Room

Frameless Glass Walls Designed to Open Sight Lines to Restored Glass Block

Before

After

Laboratory Along Restored Glass Block Wall

Interior Revitalization

Wood floors were reclaimed and reused throughout the building and steel framing was

created to replicate former industrial fabrications in the building.

Interior Revitalization

The Research Neighborhoods serve a wide variety of scientists and departments from the Wake Forest

Medical Center, clustered to foster faster translational research through a multi-disciplinary

team approach.

Wake Forest Biotech Place will house over 500 faculty, scientists, graduate level students, private industry medical research and device companies, non-profit institutes and new business accelerators. Retail tenants include a bank and full – service café.

“….from a tobacco factory to a state-of-the-art medical village………