Ground broken on Creekside student housing in Winston-Salem

North Carolina Construction News staff writer

Construction has begun on Creekside at The Grounds, a new 229-unit, 521-bed student apartment community that will be the first vertical development within the 100-acre mixed-use district known as The Grounds.

Located along the restored Silas Creek and adjacent to Wake Forest University, the project marks a major milestone in the transformation of Winston-Salem’s sports and entertainment district into a walkable, year-round neighborhood blending housing, retail, offices, hospitality, and public spaces.

Creekside is designed specifically for upperclassmen and graduate students, offering fully furnished apartments with private bathrooms, modern finishes, and multiple floor plans. Amenities will include study lounges, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, kitchen and entertainment space, and direct access to new trails linking the development to campus and nearby attractions.

Developers say the project meets growing demand for high-quality off-campus student housing and introduces a residential experience that enhances both student life and community connectivity. Creekside also ties into larger trail and infrastructure improvements underway in the district.

Construction is underway with sitework and grading starting this week. Delivery is expected in fall 2027.

The project team includes The Preston Partnership as architect, Brasfield & Gorrie as general contractor, and Stimmel Associates as engineer. It is supported by national investment and banking partners and anchors the first phase of development at The Grounds, which now exceeds $215 million in planned investment. Additional projects in the initial phase, including retail and office space, are expected to break ground in early 2026.