The Legacy of R.J. Reynolds Building

Pietras. Paulina Pietras Dr. Wakeford HIS 1198-01 7 May 2025 The Soul of R.J. Reynolds Building Right in the center of downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, there is a building that seemingly effortlessly blends architectural innovation, industrial legacy, and class, all at once. This historic building is known as the R.J. Reynolds Building. Structured as a skyscraper it was finished in 1929, and it was the tallest building in the Southeast part of the town at that time. The impressive building also became a symbol of R.J. Reynolds’ powerful and dominant tobacco empire. The building was ultimately designed to represent modernity and ambition, becoming a sleek and stunning landmark. `the R.J. Reynolds building also served as being a reflection of the powerhouse company that it was built for. With its sleek lines and limestone exterior, the building's historical and architectural significance has extended far beyond its city of origin. The use of its refined “Art Deco” styling, the R.J. Reynolds building quickly became an influence for one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world, inspiring the construction and design of the iconic Empire State Building. In the modern day, the R.J. Reynolds building is a modern testimony and a staple of early 20th-century American industry, as it powerfully portrays the rise of the now famous “Art Deco” style. It represents both a pivotal chapter in architectural history, as well as the advancement of urban development and even a change of mentality in the United States. The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which was founded in 1875 by Richard Joshua Reynolds. Who would have thought that it will grow to one of the most powerful and popular tobacco firms in the country, and even the whole world. Company’s dynamic expansion and national success by the 1920s made it clear that R.J. Reynolds firm needs its own space. Finding an architect that would take on the challenge of designing a headquarters that could reflect the company's industrial and progressive outlook, led to a prominent New York architectural firm - Shreve & Lamb, who later designed the Empire State Building. Their design for the Reynolds Building consisted of steel-frame construction, sleek limestone façades, and decorative metalwork, which represented the emerging Art Deco style. During that day Art Deco style, which started in 1925 at an art exhibition in Paris, was sweeping through American cities. Reynolds Building construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1929. With its 21 stories, it became the tallest building in the South and also a landmark that stood in sharp contrast to the neoclassical architecture that has dominated previous company headquarters. It also became a prototype for the new idea of business architecture - one that was focused on projecting confidence, innovation, and elegance. Unfortunately, the company’s founder never saw the final effect. R.J. Reynolds died in 1918. The fact that Reynolds building is often referred as the prototype for the Empire State Building is well known. The two buildings were designed by the same architects, but also they both have striking similarities in their architectural side. The vertical emphasis, the tiered setbacks, and the integration of form and function all found their roots in Winston-Salem. The high respect for the Reynolds building, that made creation of the Empire State Building possible, created a connection between these two buildings. That is why, for many years the Empire State Building crew would send a Father’s Day card to the Reynolds Building. Despite the symbolic connection, the Reynolds Building is one of the first, and important early examples of American Art Deco architectural design. Balancing key ornamental details, whilst also using practical advances, like central air conditioning, were key factors to the building's appeal. These were perhaps the most groundbreaking features and they demonstrated how architecture could be both beautiful and functional at the same time. On a more local level, it became more so a symbol of modernity and progress, as it set the tone for how corporate identity could be visually represented through beautiful architecture. The new R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company headquarters played a huge role in the urban development of Winston Salem’s downtown, especially during the interwar period. It not only reshaped the city’s skyline but also spurred increased commercial activity and economic growth in the surrounding area. The building created hundreds of jobs and its presence supported a wide range of ancillary industries and local businesses. The construction and ongoing operations of the building turned Winston-Salem from a regular industrial town into a center of tobacco production and trade. During that time the city started to be named “Camel City”, which was inspired by Reynold’s most popular cigarette brand. The building served as a physical and symbolic anchor for the city’s identity, economic strength, and aspirations during a critical period of urbanization and modernization in the South. R.J. Reynolds building changes with the spirit of time and needs of the city. It has been used as an office for the tobacco company for most of the 20th century. After 2000 the space opened for new users. In 2016 the first five floors of the Reynolds Building were transferred into the luxurious hotel Cardinal. The rest of the floors became residential apartments, allowing new generations to live and work in a space once reserved for executives and administrators of one of the nation’s largest tobacco firms. Even though the building changed its internal function it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This adaptive reuse reflects the trend in urban planning to convert industrial landmarks into new spaces to help to maintain the cultural fabric of cities while contributing to contemporary needs. The Reynolds Building, to this day, stands as a distinctive landmark of Winston-Salem. It is a mistake to think that the Reynolds Building represents the power of the company of which it was the headquarters. Over the years, the Reynolds Building has become a symbol of change, evolution and new beginnings. The story behind Reynolds Building, does not only consist of the information about the architectural statue. It is a story about people who made this project possible. As mentioned previously, Richard Joshua Reynolds passed away before the building’s completion, however, his wife Katharine Smith Reynolds known for her progressive ideas and civic involvement, played a significant role in shaping the company’s image and presence in Winston-Salem. The board, who commissioned the building, really made sure that Reynolds headquarters would pay respects to the company's legacy, ledding to its bright future. Reynolds Building, known affectionately by some as “The Grand Old Lady,” has inspired generations with its grace, stature, and quiet strength. Despite the fact that the Reynolds building is a symbol of change and modernism, when you enter one of the lifts trying to get to the 13th floor you are in for a surprise. In the 1920s, people still believed in various superstitions, which is why the building does not have an official 13th floor, because the number 13 was considered (just as in modern years) to be an unlucky number that could bring bad luck to a newly built structure. Reynolds Building, known affectionately by some as “The Grand Old Lady,” has served as the backdrop for countless personal and civic stories, making it not only a historical structure but also a cherished element of the city’s cultural landscape. Beyond its dazzling architectural innovation and its rather historical importance, the R.J. Reynolds Building has evolved to represent an even broader narrative concerning the American South's transformation in the 20th century. As the South began to shift from a largely agrarian economy to one more marked by characteristics like industrialization, urbanization, and corporate growth, structures such as the Reynolds Building became physical embodiments of this new ideological era. Its towering and commanding presence truly challenged the “dumbed down” stereotypes of the rural South, therefore putting a new light on Winston Salem. The city was now known to be capable of competing on a national stage, largely thanks to the RJ Reynolds building. The building, therefore, not only reflected the ambitions of a strong and capitalist entrepreneur empire, but also the hopes of a region eager and hungry for redefinition on a cultural and societal scale. In the context of the segregated and economically uneven landscape of the early 20th-century South, the Reynolds Building stood as a symbol of modernity, efficiency, and progress. Such qualities that were not only architectural but also ideological in a broader sense. Today, its preservation and continued use testify to the lasting significance of this transitional period in Southern identity and the environmental culture of Winston Salem and the South as a whole. Ultimately the R.J. Reynolds Building is not only the piece of architecture - it is a tribute to innovation and ambition - a perfect representation of American enterprise. It was built during a pivotal moment in the city's history when industrial strength and modern design came together to shape the identity of a city. Its striking Art Deco facade inspired one of the most iconic buildings in the world, transforming it into something that transcends time. Reynolds building has been now adapted to new uses, however its soul remains intact. It reminds us that in innovation there is still a place for carrying years of legacy. Whether seen as an architectural landmark, a historical touchstone, or a beloved local icon, the R.J. Reynolds Building stands as a timeless symbol of the power of design to reflect and shape human ambition. Works Cited "R.J. Reynolds Building." National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 2014. https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/FY4225.pdf. Piedmont Land Conservancy. “The History of the R.J. Reynolds Building.” Piedmont Land Conservancy, www.piedmontland.org/rj-reynolds-building/. Accessed 5 May 2025. Roth, Leland M. American Architecture: A History. Westview Press, 2001. Tobacco Farm Life Museum. “R.J. Reynolds and the Camel City.” Tobacco Heritage in North Carolina, www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/reynolds. Accessed 5 May 2025. Winston-Salem Journal. “Reynolds Building Reimagined as Hotel and Apartments.” Winston-Salem Journal, 15 June 2016, www.journalnow.com/news/local/reynolds-building-opens-hotel-apartments. Digital Forsyth. https://www.digitalforsyth.org/photos/stories NC Vintage Postcards: https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/nc_post Digital NC. https://www.digitalnc.org/collections/newspapers Winston-Salem’s Architectural Heritage, Heather Fearnbach, 2015, p. 123-124

Pietras.
Paulina Pietras
Dr. Wakeford
HIS 1198-01
7 May 2025
The Soul of R.J. Reynolds Building

Right in the center of downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, there is a building that seemingly effortlessly blends architectural innovation, industrial legacy, and class, all at once. This historic building is known as the R.J. Reynolds Building. Structured as a skyscraper it was finished in 1929, and it was the tallest building in the Southeast part of the town at that time. The impressive building also became a symbol of R.J. Reynolds’ powerful and dominant tobacco empire. The building was ultimately designed to represent modernity and ambition, becoming a sleek and stunning landmark. `the R.J. Reynolds building also served as being a reflection of the powerhouse company that it was built for. With its sleek lines and limestone exterior, the building's historical and architectural significance has extended far beyond its city of origin. The use of its refined “Art Deco” styling, the R.J. Reynolds building quickly became an influence for one of the most iconic skyscrapers in the world, inspiring the construction and design of the iconic Empire State Building. In the modern day, the R.J. Reynolds building is a modern testimony and a staple of early 20th-century American industry, as it powerfully portrays the rise of the now famous “Art Deco” style. It represents both a pivotal chapter in architectural history, as well as the advancement of urban development and even a change of mentality in the United States.

The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which was founded in 1875 by Richard Joshua Reynolds. Who would have thought that it will grow to one of the most powerful and popular tobacco firms in the country, and even the whole world. Company’s dynamic expansion and national success by the 1920s made it clear that R.J. Reynolds firm needs its own space. Finding an architect that would take on the challenge of designing a headquarters that could reflect the company's industrial and progressive outlook, led to a prominent New York architectural firm - Shreve & Lamb, who later designed the Empire State Building. Their design for the Reynolds Building consisted of steel-frame construction, sleek limestone façades, and decorative metalwork, which represented the emerging Art Deco style. During that day Art Deco style, which started in 1925 at an art exhibition in Paris, was sweeping through American cities.
 Reynolds Building construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1929. With its 21 stories, it became the tallest building in the South and also a landmark that stood in sharp contrast to the neoclassical architecture that has dominated previous company headquarters. It also became a prototype for the new idea of business architecture - one that was focused on projecting confidence, innovation, and elegance. Unfortunately, the company’s founder never saw the final effect. R.J. Reynolds died in 1918.

The fact that Reynolds building is often referred as the prototype for the Empire State Building is well known. The two buildings were designed by the same architects, but also they both have striking similarities in their architectural side. The vertical emphasis, the tiered setbacks, and the integration of form and function all found their roots in Winston-Salem. The high respect for the Reynolds building, that made creation of the Empire State Building possible, created a connection between these two buildings. That is why, for many years the Empire State Building crew would send a Father’s Day card to the Reynolds Building. 
Despite the symbolic connection, the Reynolds Building is one of the first, and important early examples of American Art Deco architectural design. 
Balancing key ornamental details, whilst also using practical advances, like central air conditioning, were key factors to the building's appeal. These were perhaps the most groundbreaking features and they demonstrated how architecture could be both beautiful and functional at the same time. On a more local level, it became more so a symbol of modernity and progress, as it set the tone for how corporate identity could be visually represented through beautiful architecture.

The new R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company headquarters played a huge role in the urban development of Winston Salem’s downtown, especially during the interwar period. It not only reshaped the city’s skyline but also spurred increased commercial activity and economic growth in the surrounding area. The building created hundreds of jobs and its presence supported a wide range of ancillary industries and local businesses. The construction and ongoing operations of the building turned Winston-Salem from a regular industrial town into a center of tobacco production and trade.
During that time the city started to be named “Camel City”, which was inspired by Reynold’s most popular cigarette brand. The building served as a physical and symbolic anchor for the city’s identity, economic strength, and aspirations during a critical period of urbanization and modernization in the South.

R.J. Reynolds building changes with the spirit of time and needs of the city. It has been used as an office for the tobacco company for most of the 20th century. After 2000 the space opened for new users. In 2016 the first five floors of the Reynolds Building were transferred into the luxurious hotel Cardinal. The rest of the floors became residential apartments, allowing new generations to live and work in a space once reserved for executives and administrators of one of the nation’s largest tobacco firms. 
Even though the building changed its internal function it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. This adaptive reuse reflects the trend in urban planning to convert industrial landmarks into new spaces to help to maintain the cultural fabric of cities while contributing to contemporary needs.
 The Reynolds Building, to this day, stands as a distinctive landmark of Winston-Salem. It is a mistake to think that the Reynolds Building represents the power of the company of which it was the headquarters. Over the years, the Reynolds Building has become a symbol of change, evolution and new beginnings.

The story behind Reynolds Building, does not only consist of the information about the architectural statue. It is a story about people who made this project possible.               As mentioned previously, Richard Joshua Reynolds passed away before the building’s completion, however, his wife Katharine Smith Reynolds known for her progressive ideas and civic involvement, played a significant role in shaping the company’s image and presence in Winston-Salem. The board, who commissioned the building, really made sure that Reynolds headquarters would pay respects to the company's legacy, ledding to its bright future. Reynolds Building, known affectionately by some as “The Grand Old Lady,” has inspired generations with its grace, stature, and quiet strength. Despite the fact that the Reynolds building is a symbol of change and modernism, when you enter one of the lifts trying to get to the 13th floor you are in for a surprise. In the 1920s, people still believed in various superstitions, which is why the building does not have an official 13th floor, because the number 13 was considered (just as in modern years) to be an unlucky number that could bring bad luck to a newly built structure.                                                                      Reynolds Building, known affectionately by some as “The Grand Old Lady,” has served as the backdrop for countless personal and civic stories, making it not only a historical structure but also a cherished element of the city’s cultural landscape.

Beyond its dazzling architectural innovation and its rather historical importance, the R.J. Reynolds Building has evolved to represent an even broader narrative concerning the American South's transformation in the 20th century. As the South began to shift from a largely agrarian economy to one more marked by characteristics like industrialization, urbanization, and corporate growth, structures such as the Reynolds Building became physical embodiments of this new ideological era. Its towering and commanding presence truly challenged the “dumbed down” stereotypes of the rural South, therefore putting a new light on Winston Salem. The city was now known to be capable of competing on a national stage, largely thanks to the RJ Reynolds building. The building, therefore, not only reflected the ambitions of a strong and capitalist entrepreneur empire, but also the hopes of a region eager and hungry for redefinition on a cultural and societal scale. In the context of the segregated and economically uneven landscape of the early 20th-century South, the Reynolds Building stood as a symbol of modernity, efficiency, and progress. Such qualities that were not only architectural but also ideological in a broader sense. Today, its preservation and continued use testify to the lasting significance of this transitional period in Southern identity and the environmental culture of Winston Salem and the South as a whole.
        Ultimately the R.J. Reynolds Building is not only the piece of architecture - it is a tribute to innovation and ambition - a perfect representation of American enterprise. It was built during a pivotal moment in the city's history when industrial strength and modern design came together to shape the identity of a city. Its striking Art Deco facade inspired one of the most iconic buildings in the world, transforming it into something that transcends time. Reynolds building has been now adapted to new uses, however its soul remains intact. It reminds us that in innovation there is still a place for carrying years of legacy. Whether seen as an architectural landmark, a historical touchstone, or a beloved local icon, the R.J. Reynolds Building stands as a timeless symbol of the power of design to reflect and shape human ambition.
Works Cited
"R.J. Reynolds Building." National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 2014.
https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/FY4225.pdf.
Piedmont Land Conservancy. “The History of the R.J. Reynolds Building.” Piedmont Land Conservancy, www.piedmontland.org/rj-reynolds-building/. Accessed 5 May 2025.
Roth, Leland M. American Architecture: A History. Westview Press, 2001.
Tobacco Farm Life Museum. “R.J. Reynolds and the Camel City.” Tobacco Heritage in North Carolina, www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/reynolds. Accessed 5 May 2025.
Winston-Salem Journal. “Reynolds Building Reimagined as Hotel and Apartments.” Winston-Salem Journal, 15 June 2016, www.journalnow.com/news/local/reynolds-building-opens-hotel-apartments.
Digital Forsyth. https://www.digitalforsyth.org/photos/stories 
NC Vintage Postcards: https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/nc_post
Digital NC. https://www.digitalnc.org/collections/newspapers
Winston-Salem’s Architectural Heritage, Heather Fearnbach, 2015, p. 123-124

Transcript for:The Legacy of R.J. Reynolds Building

Transcript for:
The Legacy of R.J. Reynolds Building