Wachovia Bank & Trust ~ 8 West 3rd Street

The Original Wachovia Bank at 8 West Third Street.

Originally built in 1911, the top story was added in 1917 to rival the nearby O'Hanlon Building of 1915. Look up at the top of the building. The addition is a darker color brick. 8 West Third Street was Winston-Salem's first metal-framed skyscraper until the construction of the Hotel Robert E. Lee in 1921 which was torn down in 1972.  Winston lost a huge piece of history with the demolishment of the hotel.

Wachovia Bank made its headquarters here for 55 years until moving into 301 North Main Street in 1966, the Winston Towers. The building was renovated in 1983. For several years it was used as a government office building. In the lobby, take a look at the integrate details of the medallions, crown molding and railings. They are all original to the building.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places on May 31, 1984.

To continue the History on the diagonal corner ......

The Winston Towers became the new headquarters with construction in December, 1962. Dedicated on February 28, 1966. The Wachovia Building surpassed the Reynolds Building as the tallest building in the city and the state. Once a symbol of Winston-Salem's progress, it was vacated after construction of the Wachovia Center in the mid-1990's where the bank moved to it's third and final location. The Wachovia Bank merged with Wells Fargo in 2008 to become Wells Fargo and Company.

A variety of issues emerged during the renovations including small floorplates, asbestos, and a weak market, made its future uncertain for several years. The building reopened as Winston Tower in 2003 after extensive renovations including replacement of all 6,033 windows with energy-saving tinted glass. 

The Winston Tower has been designated a Forsyth County Historic Property by the Historic Properties Commission. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 as the Wachovia Building. Once called the foremost example of International Style architecture in North Carolina.

*This concludes "The Talk" for the Wachovia Bank history.

Proceed to your left along Main Street heading across the street to the top of the next block. Next stop is 10 West 3rd street which is now 50 West Fourth Street, the former Forsyth County Court House. The best view will be across the street to view the whole building from it's side. You will find out why in a few minutes!