Salem Academy Building Will Become a Boutique Hotel and Conference Center

Salem Academy and College announced that the former Salem Academy building will become a boutique hotel and conference center.

November 11, 2024

What is Happening?

Salem Academy and College is partnering with Mayfair Hospitality Group to renovate the building, which will be operated by a to-be-selected hotel chain.

Salem Academy and College is also seeking a historical designation for the building. This designation would allow them to apply for historical tax credits, much like Salem Bottling LLC did with its Salem Bottleworks project.

• The Numbers: The venue, which is yet to be named, is expected to produce as much as $1 million in annual profit. These profits will support scholarships at Salem Academy and College. According to Triad Business Journal, the project will cost $30 million in total.
• Familiar Face: Mayfair Hospitality Group has worked on other projects in Winston-Salem, such as Hotel Indigo and ROAR.

Backstory

Constructed in 1930, the Salem Academy building housed and taught high school boarders for decades. However, when Salem Academy integrated with the college facilities four years ago, the building was left empty. (Triad Business Journal)

In 2023, Salem Academy created a task force to decide how to put the building to use. The task force established non-negotiables to guide their decisions:

• The building must be retained for Salem’s use
• The chosen partner must be consistent with Salem values and respect the institution’s history
• The project must benefit the community
• The project must be consistent with Salem’s goals

These guidelines led to the decision to create a boutique hotel and conference space.

What To Expect

The venue will be available to host weddings, corporate meetings, and other events. Features will include:

• 86 boutique hotel rooms
• Conference and meeting spaces
• 250-person auditorium space
• Onsite restaurant and bar
• Library lounge

Timeline

• 12-18 months spent acquiring historic tax credits
• 12-24 months of construction following acquiring historic tax credits
• Potential opening in 2027

Interested in learning more about Salem College? Check out its entry in our college and university guide!