Every March in the iQ, we look forward to Match Day. If you’re not familiar, Match Day is the annual event where medical students across the country all find out where they “matched” for their residencies (yes, all of them…on the same day)–and, subsequently, where they are going to live for the next 3-7 years.
Each year, Match Day brings a fresh, new batch of medical hopefuls into our Winston-Salem community, where they will be training in a variety of specialties through Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
If you’re one of those residents who matched at Wake Forest (or a future med student), you’re probably looking for apartments in Winston-Salem–and being close to where you’ll be studying or working would be a plus. Fortunately for you, the iQ has a number of apartments and lofts that put you in the middle of the action downtown, as well as close by the Bowman Grey Center for Medical Education.
Even if you’re not a medical student matching in Winston-Salem and you’re looking for apartments in Winston-Salem, the iQ is full of good housing options that put you in a convenient downtown location, surrounded by innovators of all kinds–entrepreneurs, researchers, artists, and more.
Why You Should Live in the iQ (Hint: Location!)
For medical students and residents, the presence of a variety of School of Medicine entities in the iQ (the innovation district is also home to the PA, Nursing, and Biomedical graduate programs) might be enough to be a good location. But there are more reasons that starting your hunt for apartments in Winston-Salem in the iQ might be a good idea–student or not.
The old real estate adage applies here. The iQ’s “location, location, location” puts residents in downtown Winston-Salem, where the former tobacco manufacturing buildings have been transformed into a thriving innovation district.
What does that get you? Well, living in the iQ puts you near a number of Winston-Salem’s restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and breweries. It’s also a short walk to the other downtown hotspots, like Fourth Street and Trade Street.
If you like to be active, you’ll have Bailey Park, the city’s iconic urban park, in your front yard. You can also access the Long Branch Trail, a greenway that runs the length of the iQ and connects to the Salem Creek Greenway, a 20-mile loop of greenway. There are also gyms, yoga studios, physical therapists, and a run club within the innovation district to help with your favorite form of wellness.
Bailey Park and the Coal Pit are also home to many events and entertainment throughout the year, with movies, concerts, and outdoor yoga. Cultural events, races, and more also happen throughout the year, contributing to the vibrant community downtown.
Apartments in Winston-Salem That Are in the iQ
If the iQ sounds like a place you might like to live, the next step is picking the spot that fits you best. The iQ is home to a number of apartment and loft buildings, each with its own vibe. Take a look at the options below to get a headstart on your house hunt.
757 North Apartments
Address: 757 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Types of Apartments: Junior 1 BR, and 1- and 2-BR Apartments
Pool: No
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Walk Time to Bailey Park: 7 minutes
The 757 North Apartments is a workforce housing development located in the iQ. It was built in 2017 with the goal of providing more affordable housing for workers and students, with 25% of its apartments earmarked for households below the median income. It isn’t short on amenities, however, with fitness facilities, Wi-Fi cafe with complimentary coffee, game room, and outdoor patio. Units are open concept, with granite countertops and walk-in closets.
The Gallery Lofts
Address: 181 E. 6th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Types of Apartments: 1- and 2-BR Lofts
Pool: No
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Walk Time to Bailey Park: 6 minutes
The Gallery Lofts paint a picture of what loft-living downtown can look like. With floorplans named after famous artists, the lofts are designed with aesthetics in mind, including details like exposed brick, original hardwood floors, and open concept. The community of the Gallery Lofts is equally curated, with all the bells and whistles when it comes to fitness and clubhouse amenities and unique two-story art galleries inside.
Link Apartments Innovation Quarter
Address: 530 N. Patterson Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Types of Apartments: Junior, 1- and 2-BR Apartments
Pool: Yes
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Walk Time to Bailey Park: 3 minutes
The Link Apartments Innovation Quarter have just about every amenity you can think of: from the saltwater pool to the rooftop terrace, from the fitness center to e-vehicle charging stations. There’s even a chef’s demo kitchen! Those perks extend to your pets as well, with its own Paw Spa. Residence in the Link Apartments puts you right across the street from Bailey Power Plant and catty-corner from Bailey Park.
Piedmont Leaf Lofts
Address: 406 E. 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Types of Apartments: 1-3 BR Apartments and Loft-style Apartments
Pool: No
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Walk Time to Bailey Park: 2 minutes
The Piedmont Leaf Lofts are another set of luxury lofts for those history lovers out there. The Piedmont Leaf Lofts exist in two historic buildings, the Smith building and the Brown building, that were a part of the tobacco manufacturing industry of Winston-Salem. Both have been converted into luxury lofts, but hold onto the historic charm with original wood floors, exposed brick and ductwork, charming windows, and historic wood bar tops.
Plant 64
Address: 545 Power Plant Circle, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Types of Apartments: 1-3 BR, Loft-style Apartments
Pool: Yes
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Walk Time to Bailey Park: 6 minutes
The Plant 64 Apartments are characterized by industrial charm and high-end finishes, fitting of a former R.J. Reynolds manufacturing plant. With a number of floor plans and conveniently located near Bailey Park and the Bowman Grey Center for Medical Education (their back doors are right across the greenway from each other), it’s a great spot for people who like all the luxuries of contemporary living. Residents benefit from a lot of community amenities, such as a pool, yoga studio, outdoor theater, and clubhouse.
Winston Factory Lofts
Address: 675 N Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Types of Apartments: 1-3 BR, Loft-style Apartments
Pool: Yes
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Time to Bailey Park: 8 minutes
If you’re looking for a place that blends history with modern amenities, check out Winston Factory Lofts. The lofts consist of two historic buildings, both designated as Local Historic Landmarks and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, due to their history with the P. H. Hanes Company and R. J. Reynolds Company. The lofts are designed with that history in mind. Oh, and it has its own movie theater.
From the Property Manager:
“The Beaux-Arts details accenting the sprawling concrete and steel finishes of Winston Factory Lofts serve as a monument to Winston-Salem’s architectural and industrial heritage, making this an exceptional place for our residents to create their own history,” says Soren Daum, property manager of Winston Factory Lofts and 50 West Fourth Residences.
More Options for Apartments in Winston-Salem
If these options in the iQ don’t quite fit your requirements for living in Winston-Salem, there are plenty of options for apartments around the innovation district and throughout downtown Winston-Salem, as well as rental homes in neighborhoods around the city. The iQ itself has a couple hidden gems in Albert Hall, which has several condominiums in a converted tobacco factory, and the Goler Manor, which provides affordable, independent housing for seniors.
Here are some other resources you can check out for information about apartments–and other housing–in Winston-Salem:
- Greater Winston-Salem Inc., the city’s award-winning chamber of commerce, provides a number of resources regarding livability and housing.
- The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership has a lot of great information about events, livability, and even real estate listings.
For more information about lifestyle in the iQ, take a digital stroll around the iQ website to learn about restaurants, bars, events, greenways, and more that make the innovation district a vibrant place to live and learn.
