Reynolds Building (Winston-Salem)

Architecture and design

The building exemplifies late-1920s Art Deco commercial architecture, characterized by setback massing, strong vertical lines and ornamental detailing at the crown and entrances. The exterior presents a layered profile that reduces bulk as the structure rises, a design approach intended to balance daylight, wind loads and visual interest. Decorative motifs and a formal base-tower-crown composition link the Reynolds Building to contemporaneous high-rise design principles.

History and evolution

Originally constructed as corporate offices, the tower remained associated with R. J. Reynolds and the tobacco industry during the 20th century, a period when Winston-Salem was a regional business center. Over time the building's function changed; in the late 20th and early 21st centuries it was adapted to residential use, reflecting broader trends in downtown revitalization and reuse of historic office buildings.

Uses and significance

Beyond its original corporate role, the Reynolds Building has come to symbolize the city's industrial and architectural heritage. Its conversion to apartments and mixed-use space has kept the structure active in the urban core, contributing to preservation efforts and serving as a tangible connection to the city's commercial past.

Relationship to the Empire State Building and notable facts

The Reynolds Building is often mentioned in architectural histories as an early prototype that influenced the much larger Empire State Building in New York City. Designers working on later skyscrapers favored the Reynolds Building's compact, vertically oriented form and setback strategy as a practical and aesthetic solution for tall urban buildings. Key points often highlighted include:

• Its 21-floor height and stepped setbacks, which were typical of pre-war skyscraper design.
• Its role as a corporate headquarters that visually anchored downtown Winston-Salem.
• Its later adaptation to residential and mixed uses as part of downtown renewal efforts.

Today the Reynolds Building remains an object of study for those interested in early high-rise design, urban history and adaptive reuse. Its presence in Winston-Salem continues to be a reminder of the city's economic history and the architectural transitions between the 1920s and the skyscraper boom that followed.