Richard Craver
UNC School of the Arts confirmed Friday it has acquired the downtown Winston-Salem building next to the historic Stevens Center with plans for a new loading docks and renovated office space.
UNCSA Foundation Management LLC has paid $5.4 million for the 411 W. Fourth St. building, according to a Forsyth County Register of Deeds filing.
The university disclosed a synopsis of its plans a day after Gov. Josh Stein signed into law House Bill 74 that includes $4.5 million in state funding toward the purchase and Stevens renovation expenses.
The 12,441-square-foot building is known for being the former Greater Winston-Salem headquarters space, as well as the location of a series of restaurants on the corner of the intersection with Spruce Street.
UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole said "acquiring this downtown property is not just about the renovation of the Stevens Center; it is about looking to the future of UNCSA and our community."
"This additional space will provide critical infrastructure improvements and allow us to expand the functionality of the Stevens Center, continuing to invest in our home in downtown Winston-Salem."
In the near term, UNCSA will continue leasing the building to current tenants, "while also taking the space into consideration as part of its longer-term vision for the Stevens Center.
Among its current tenants are Bitty and Beau's Coffee, which is closing by the end of May, according to local franchisee Kelli and Chris Balash.
Other tenants are Project Space 411 (in the space that had been occupied by Canteen), Coldwell Banker and Eurofins.
Contributing to the purchase were donations from the John Wesley and Anna Hodgin Hanes Foundation, the James G. Hanes Foundation and Thomas S. Kenan, III.
State funding, which becomes available July 1, is being used to fund the remainder of the purchase price and for construction of a loading dock on the property.
UNCSA said the new loading dock "will substantially expand the venue's production capacity and wing space, allowing for a wider variety of productions by UNCSA, local arts partner organizations and other national presenters."
The overarching purpose of HB74 is making technical and clarifying adjustments to the 2023-24 state budget bill that originated in the House.
However, as in the case of UNCSA's purchase funding, legislation filed during the 2025 session can be inserted, such as the content of HB419.
"It makes sense for the state to acquire this property for additional revenue, office space, parking and to build a loading dock onto the Stevens Center," said Rep. Kyle Hall, R-Stokes.
Hall is co-primary sponsors with Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, of House Bill 419 that contained the UNCSA funding legislation.
Lambeth said the insertion of the HB419 legislation into HB74 "was the fastest way to get this done."
"If we moved it in budget, it could take weeks or months. UNCSA wanted to move quickly to resolve this funding, and we supported the Stevens Center request.
Stevens Center makeover
UNCSA owns the 77,500-square-foot performing arts center that opened in 1929 and contained 1,366 seats before its temporary closure.
The legislature, to date, has provided $85.3 million in state funding toward the renovation project.
UNCSA said it will continue to seek both public and private funding for the renovation, as well as to provide long-term support for programming and building maintenance.
The neoclassical building was restored and reopened in 1983 with a redesigned stage and backstage that was able to house Broadway-scale live performances of music, theater, dance and opera.
Phase 1 involves renovating the lobby and repairs to the exterior of the building to address water intrusion and ensure it is watertight.
Among the repairs: replacing the roof; restoring the brick exterior, terra-cotta façade and window; improvements to back-of-house spaces, including the dressing rooms and green room.
Construction for Phase II is projected to begin in the fall.
Phase II would include a transformation of the audience chamber, including enhancements to seating and the stage, and a reconfigured balcony with improved sightlines.
Technological improvements would be included that will allow students and partners to work with advanced equipment that meets current industry standards.
UNCSA is receiving input from the Winston-Salem community for the project, as well as partner organizations such as the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera and the National Black Theatre Festival, among others, who call the Stevens Center home.
The renovated building could reopen in early 2026, although UNCSA said "we would hope to receive funding for Phase II on a timeframe that would allow Phase II efforts to overlap with Phase I completion as much as possible."
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