In its early years, the building rented space to other businesses like dentists, attorneys, and insurance companies. But Reynolds eventually came to occupy the entirety of it, and for the most part, it became closed off to the general public, giving it something of a mystique.
Reynolds moved out of the building in 2010 and sold it to Kimpton and PMC Property Group in 2014 for $7.8 million. Before the hotel opened in 2016, the building underwent an estimated $60 million in renovations. Most of the building was gutted to make way for 174 guest rooms and about 130 rental units. The restaurant on the ground floor is named Katharine, after R.J.’s wife.
On the 20th floor, the office of Bowman Gray Sr., head of R.J. Reynolds when the building was constructed, retains its fireplace and has been turned into a conference room.
Using advanced laser scanning methods, the Coast 2 Coast team captured the beautiful historic details that were to be restored in the renovation project. A Revit model of the space was also delivered along to aide designers in their guest room conversions.