Landscape Architect Articles

Innovation In The Making07-24-26 | Feature

Innovation In The Making

An Industrial Castoff Becomes An Enthusing Space To Live, Work, Learn, and Play
by Carrie Leigh Dickey
photo credit: Kate Galantha (Except Where Noted)

More than 330 acres once operated by manufacturing giant R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, now serves as the foundation for the state's largest urban, mixed-use innovation district, owing to an alliance of local governments, businesses, developers, educators, and community members alongside land planning firm Stimmel Associates, PA. Known as the Innovation Quarter - or iQ - the property accommodates five academic institutions, almost 100 companies, and thousands of students, workers, and residents. Stimmel's tasks included drawing up inventory, analysis, and precedent maps, assisting in client and community workshops and discussions, approval fulfillment, landscape architecture, and civil engineering. To prepare for the next phase of the development, the buildout of utilities, streets, and pad-ready sites was completed in 2024.

Trestles that are naturally weathered from time and the coal once stockpiled underneath them help define the Coal Pit - a highly flexible space with movable seating and planters for gatherings of various sizes. The trestles were cleaned, broken bits of concrete removed, and exposed rebar treated to minimize additional rust. Vibrant bistro tables and chairs were specified to provide year-round color to an otherwise monochrome environment, including primarily concrete paving due to the site's brownfield designation.

A little further down, one of the trestle lines was turned into an elevated boardwalk that connects pedestrians to second-floor stores in the North and South buildings without descending to the ground floor of the Coal Pit. String lighting helps soften the place at night while contributing to the industrial atmosphere.

To conceal utility cabinets in the Coal Pit, Stimmel designed an enclosure made from industrial materials with an exterior resembling weathered steel and an interior matching the bright colors of the bistro tables and chairs.

The courtyard at Wake Forest University's School of Medicine features curved, 'Wave Narrow Modular' pavers from Stepstone and backed benches with end tables. Photo Credit: Triad Business Jornal

To facilitate emergency and utilities vehicles, the lower courtyard incorporates heavy-duty paving, including these decorative curved pavers in the colors Agave and Granada White. Furnishings here include the same tables in the upper courtyard, umbrellas, and 'Sorella' planters and 'Ring' bike racks. The trench drain grates and tree grates in the 'Oblio' pattern by Iron Age Designs are allowed to age naturally.

Once used to facilitate tobacco transportation, this dock area now functions as an academic space integrated into iQ's Long Branch Trail, with pockets for benches, 'Orion' bike racks by Madrax, and pole lights with banner arms. Accent pavers by Wausau Tile designate crossing locations.

Seasonal plantings in oversized containers add much-needed color and texture to this concrete and glass block building. 'Chase Park' litter receptacles were placed at entry points for convenience. The paving is a two-toned concrete with a swirl finish by a local architectural concrete contracting firm.

Bordering iQ2 - the second phase of the project, where an additional 1.5 million square feet will be developed - the southern end of the concrete, 1.6-mile Long Branch Trail neighbors an active freight rail. A buffer was created with naturalized and planted vegetation, including various species of Cherry Trees such as 'Snow Goose' Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Snow Goose) and 'Okame' Cherry (Prunus x incam). To create space for street trees and pedestrian-scale lighting, overhead power and telecom were moved underground. The weathered steel monument sign was custom designed by Stimmel and fabricated locally.

Planted along this section of the Long Branch Trail are varieties of Salvia, Rudbeckia, and Little Bluestem. The prefabricated, truss-type pedestrian bridges have a minimum 10-foot clear width and are built from weathering steel with Ipe decking and rub rails.

A small mid-level plaza in Bailey Park - which has over 30 feet of grade change - includes Cherry Blossom trees, colorful bistro tables and chairs, and litter and recycling receptacles. The stairs and cable guardrails are custom designed and fabricated by a local company. In the background, a mural designed and painted by local artist Laura Lashley enhances the wall of an existing loading dock that is one of the few surviving structures from the previous industrial development.

Streetscapes and public plazas include post top luminaires and sculptural seating constructed with poured-in-place concrete and custom 'Link' wood benches. Approximately 400,000 cobblestones were reclaimed and reused within the new streetscape. Specified bollards included 42-inch-high, steel, fixed and removable models as well as a 33-inch-high, powder-coated metal, removable model.

This "gateway" was designed by Stimmel and SKA structural engineers to emulate the industrial steel of the railroad above. It marks the starting point of the second phase of development - iQ2. Beyond the custom structure, the concrete pedestrian path leads to a precast concrete boardwalk system that bridges a low-lying area with an underground stream. The lighting here, which includes globe pendants, was designed by Stimmel in collaboration with the electrical engineer, the contractor, and the boardwalk manufacturer. Photo Credit: Christy Turner

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Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Innovation Quarter (iQ) is the largest urban, mixed-use innovation district as well as the largest urban life-science research park within the state. It boasts 1.9-million square feet of office, laboratory, and educational space for Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFU) on more than 330 acres - fueling groundbreaking research, biomedical science, information technology, and clinical services. Home to 90+ companies, five leading academic institutions, 3,600+ workers, 1,800+ degree-seeking students, and 1,000+ apartments, iQ is one of the fastest-growing urban-based districts for innovation.

"Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem is emerging as one of the most distinctive innovation districts in the U.S."-Bruce Katz, author of "The Rise of Innovation Districts"

The Way In
What was primarily used by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) for manufacturing - and included a large railyard to support a booming tobacco and cigarette industry - is now a thriving example of successful placemaking. But how did this forward-thinking environment for innovation and community come to be? The roots of iQ lie within a strategic partnership formed by city, county, and state governments, local businesses, developers, educators, and community members including Stimmel Associates, PA (Stimmel) headquartered in Winston-Salem.

In 2008, there was a growing influx of interest and investment in iQ as Winston-Salem entered the very first stages of reawakening from a significant corporate exodus in the early 2000s. As part of the visioning process for iQ (the North District) and iQ2 (the Central District), Stimmel prepared a variety of inventory, analysis, and precedent maps to aid client and community workshops and discussions. While the initial plan was to develop iQ2 as a new academic and clinical campus for WFU, the recession would dictate a different path: one of revitalization, historic preservation, and iconic structures being brought back to life. Existing infrastructure and streetscape provided a fresh start for this deserted industrial area, as well as the framework and inspiration for millions of dollars in investment. These designs included on-street parking, specialty pavements and crosswalks, streetlights, street trees, median plantings, site furnishings, and amenities.

The Path Forward
The site's streets and Research Parkway - a 1.5-mile, 4-lane roadway - are vital in defining the urban character of this innovation district, providing functional corridors for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Approximately 400,000 cobblestones were reclaimed and reused within the new streetscape. All overhead power and telecom were moved underground to create space for street trees and pedestrian scale lighting. While streetscape and infrastructure were the initial catalyst, the development and programming of Bailey Park, Long Branch Trail, Bailey Power Plant, and the Coal Pit @ Bailey Power Plant make up the soul of iQ.

Bailey Park
Originally envisioned as structured parking with a green roof, Stimmel and the head of real estate development for iQ advocated that a 1.6-acre, centrally located parcel become an at-grade, publicly accessible private park and event space. Designed as an urban "campus quad," Bailey Park provides critical connections between a mix of uses, making it the social core of the North District. The grounds are separated into two sections, largely due to the 30+ feet of grade change. The elevated portion features a seating area with tables, restroom and storage facilities, and a performance stage used for various festivals, shows, and film screenings. The lower portion includes lawns that offer passive recreation opportunities as well as an open venue where a portable stage can be erected for larger events.

Long Branch Trail
A multi-use, 1.6-mile greenway runs the length of iQ and connects downtown Winston-Salem to the larger community. A former Norfolk-Southern rail line, the trail still uses the original rail bridges over four streets. This dormant freight rail was sold to NCDOT Rail and PART in the early 2000s for future light rail transportation, but New York City's redevelopment of its High Line delivered the inspiration to make the Long Branch Trail what it is today while preserving the existing rail line for future commuter services.

The trail links to the Salem Creek Greenway, providing access to a 20-mile loop from the north end of iQ to the 365-acre Salem Lake surrounded by forest and a seven-mile loop trail. The grade-separated, concrete Long Branch Trail is marked by landscaping, pedestrian lighting, approximately 1,000 linear feet of pedestrian bridges, and decorative pavers. It provides pedestrians and cyclists with opportunities for commuting, personal fitness, and exploring downtown. In addition to public art and skyline views of the city, amenities along the trail include benches, emergency call boxes, and bike racks.

Bailey Power Plant
Located in the heart of iQ, this was the last and most challenging of the original RJR buildings to be redeveloped. Constructed in 1947 to provide steam and electricity to the surrounding factories, the building sat dormant for almost 20 years until its reincarnation as a mixed-use workplace and entertainment hub. The design team intentionally reenvisioned the power plant to draw people in and to spark connection and conversation through physical space. It includes two 14-story smokestacks, a two-story, 4,500-square-foot hall (which formerly housed turbines and major equipment), and an elevated set of railroad tracks that provided coal to the complex, which now encompasses offices, food and beverage spaces, and several innovative meeting rooms.

The Coal Pit @ Bailey Power Plant
This mixed-use building that houses various tenants - including a craft brewery - also features an open space below the retired railroad tracks dubbed "The Pit." Resting in the shadow of downtown's iconic smokestacks, this concrete courtyard that once held the coal that powered the tobacco industry is now a lively hub for social activity, entertainment, and recreation in downtown Winston-Salem. The Coal Pit also hosts year-round events, such as the WS Symphony's series.

"I've lived all over the world. I've seen lots of places on the planet, and I have the benefits of all those experiences to know that there's something special here in Winston-Salem, and it's the Innovation Quarter." - David Mounts, retired chairman and CEO of Inmar Intelligence - a leading digital analytics company housed in iQ

Innovation Quarter has been over two decades in the making, and Stimmel Associates, PA has remained an integral partner since the start: being responsible for planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering services; acting as effective negotiators capable of reconciling diverse priorities and achieving timely approvals; and assuring a quality project that is sustainable, financially viable, and compatible with its setting.

Thanks to this dedication, iQ is a critical catalyst for growth and redevelopment in downtown Winston-Salem and the peripheral neighborhoods. The merging of corporations, retail, restaurants, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs makes this vibrant community a place for all to "live, work, learn, and play."

As seen in LASN magazine, July 2026.