Winston-Salem is experiencing an exciting period of growth and change. Three major developments are converging to reshape our city’s landscape, bringing new entertainment options, economic shifts, and enhanced hospitality infrastructure. Here’s what you need to know about these game-changing projects.
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A New Entertainment Destination: 5,000-Seat Amphitheater Coming Downtown
The most visible change coming to Winston-Salem’s skyline will be a brand-new 5,000-seat amphitheater in the heart of downtown. This exciting venue promises to transform our city’s entertainment scene and bring more visitors to the urban core.
Key Details:
The proposed site is currently owned by Don Flow, CEO of Flow Automotive. If approved, this amphitheater would provide Winston-Salem with a premier mid-sized venue, filling a crucial gap in our entertainment infrastructure and potentially attracting major touring acts that previously bypassed our city.
Corporate Shake-Up: HanesBrands Joins Gildan Family
In one of the most significant corporate developments in Winston-Salem’s recent history, iconic local company HanesBrands has been acquired by Montreal-based Gildan Activewear in a massive $2.2 billion deal. The combined enterprise value reaches an impressive $4.4 billion.
What This Means for Winston-Salem: While Gildan’s headquarters remain in Montreal, both companies have committed to maintaining HanesBrands’ strong presence in Winston-Salem. However, questions remain about future investment levels and whether the headquarters will eventually relocate.
As one economic expert from North Carolina A&T State University noted, “This takeover, in a way, has the potential to impact the lives of many, many families.” The long-term effects on local employment and the city’s economic base will be closely watched by residents and business leaders alike.
Hospitality Upgrade: Marriott Downtown Gets Major Investment
Winston-Salem’s hospitality sector is also seeing significant investment. Florida-based 1754 Properties has acquired the downtown Marriott and announced plans for a substantial $5 million renovation project.
Renovation Highlights:
This investment is particularly important given the Marriott’s role as a key venue for national events and conventions. The upgrades should help Winston-Salem compete more effectively for large-scale events that bring visitors and economic impact to our downtown area.
Important Steps to Rent Your Home Out from A to Z
Step by step checklist for getting a home rented, and link to the full property management guide
1 Consider strengths and weaknesses for your home and location and consider special strategies to utilize them. Is it a college area? If so, you’ll likely handle a lot differently from low income, or a suburb.
2 Get the property in show-ready condition by handling repairs, but also low-cost aesthetic fixes like spray painting rusted AC grates, and other things that really stand out. A sure way to attract sub-par tenants and repel the rest is to show a home with unrepaired issues.
3 Decide whether you’re going to allow pets or not. Before you decide, know that for most landlords it’s the single best thing you can do to increase your “bottom line” profit over the long term. More on this subject here
4 Set a rental rate that will balance a minor amount of time on market hassle, with monthly rate. Whether in the form of owner-occupied showings, stress, or vacancy. Most owners fail to properly account for these subtle but real costs, especially vacancy. Vacant homes are much more costly than most account for. We can provide a free rental rate estimate compiled by people, not an algorithm, here
What It All Means for Winston-Salem
These three developments represent more than individual projects—they signal Winston-Salem’s emergence as a city ready for its next chapter. The amphitheater will enhance our cultural offerings, the HanesBrands acquisition brings both opportunity and uncertainty to our economic landscape, and the Marriott investment strengthens our ability to host major events.
Together, these changes suggest that Winston-Salem is positioning itself as a more dynamic, visitor-friendly city while working to maintain its historic industrial base. As these projects unfold over the coming months, they’ll likely shape not just our skyline, but our identity as a community.
To read more, visit Winston-Salem poised for transformation with new amphitheater and major deals.
