The Innovation Quarter (iQ) is both the largest urban, mixed-use innovation district and the largest urban life-science research park within North Carolina. It boasts 1.9-million square feet of office, laboratory, and educational space for Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFU) on more than 330 acres—fueling groundbreaking research, biomedical science, information technology, and clinical services. Home to 90+ companies, five leading academic institutions, 3,600+ workers, 1,800+ degree-seeking students, and 1,000+ apartments, iQ is one of the fastest-growing urban-based districts for innovation. It is also a critical catalyst for growth and redevelopment in downtown Winston-Salem and the peripheral neighborhoods—a merging of corporations, retail, restaurants, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs that makes this vibrant community a place for all.

Our plan for dynamic spaces has dramatically changed the public’s experience of the city by encouraging greater collaboration, connectivity, and the congregation of people. At the soul of iQ can be found Bailey Park—a centrally located and publicly accessible private park of 1.6 acres of green space, Long Branch Trail—a multi-use, 1.6-mile greenway that runs the length of iQ and connects downtown Winston-Salem to the larger community, Bailey Power Plant—two 14-story smokestacks, a two-story 4,500 square foot hall, and an elevated set of railroad tracks which serves as a mixed-use workplace and entertainment hub, and the Coal Pit @ Bailey Power Plant—an open space “pit” below the retired railroad tracks.