On the Skyline of Winston-Salem
And now on to Winston Salem, ranked third from among over 300 cities by the Center for Digital Government as a “digital city” in the 125,000 to 249,999 people category. This means that, besides other things, its infra structure and architecture make digital governing feasible.
Towering over all the other buildings and taking pride of place on Winston-Salem’s skyline at 460 feet (140 m), is its tallest building, The Wachovia Center. Designed by world-renowned Argentine architect Cesar Pelli, this 34 floor office skyscraper could be said to resemble a deodorant stick although it has been given many other colorful and more anatomically explicit epithets. In spite of its modernistic external appearance it has a distinct Moravian architectural style, complete with the typical Moravian arch in the design of the 59 feet dome as well as the Moravian star, which has been used in mosaics in the lobby. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and made of Sardinian white granite and glass, it is the world’s only granite domed skyscraper.
Another very distinctive feature on Winston-Salem’s skyline is the Winston Tower. For some time the tallest building in Winston-Salem, it was forced to take second place in 1995 when the Wachovia Center was constructed, and was unceremoniously vacated. In fact, for some time, its very existence was in question. However, fate was kind to it and it was renovated extensively. A major part of its renovation included replacing all its 6,033 windows with energy-saving tinted glass. It was then reopened as Winston Tower. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wachovia Building in 2001it is considered a prime example of International Style architecture in the state.
Bordering North Poplar Street, North Spruce Street and West 5th Street is GMAC Tower. It was erected by Integon Corporation as an add-on to its already existing six-story headquarters. Because it was designed soon after the country had faced an energy crisis that was the foremost consideration and the frontage is so constructed as to cater to differences in solar radiation. While the northern part is mainly of glass, and the southern windows are slanted so as to provide a comfortable shade, the windows in the east and west facades, which receive the strongest rays of the sun are nothing more than narrow slits.
Bordering East 4th Street and North Main Street, Reynolds building is a 314ft (96m), 21 storied marvel. It is the Head quarters of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Built mainly of Indiana limestone, its lobby has marble finishes and metal detail. It is especially beautiful at night when it is lit up.
Of course, no description of Winston-Salem’s skyline would be complete without mention of Nissen Building at North Cherry Street and West 4th Street. Built by W.M. Nissen (he of the well known Wagon Works) it was the first air-conditioned building in the area. Until the Reynolds Building was completed on April 27, 1929, it was the tallest building in North Carolina. Once housing several offices including those of the U.S. Air Force, it will now be converted into apartments and condos.
What is wonderful about Winston Salem is that in spite of all its ultramodern buildings, there still are visible memories of the past preserved among them. Imagine finding an inoperative brick smokestack from a century-old R. J. Reynolds tobacco plant juxtaposed near The Wachovia Center skyscraper!
Article Soruce: http://triad.homesandacres.com/
