Wake Forest assumes Graylyn management, launches renovations, improvements

Wake Forest, which owns the executive conference center in Winston-Salem that it opened in 1984, took over Graylyn’s management on July 1. Previously, the university contracted with a management group to oversee Graylyn directly.

“Graylyn is a substantial asset to Wake Forest and we have decided to directly manage it, ensuring a standard of quality in all aspects of use of Graylyn,” said John P. Anderson, vice president for finance and administration at Wake Forest. “We are investing the necessary funds to thoroughly renovate the facility, and we have in place an excellent management team.”

Wake Forest is spending approximately $2.5 million in improvements to Graylyn. Work already completed includes new air conditioning equipment for Graylyn’s Manor House, the largest and best-known building on the 55-acre former private estate.

Soon, the 16 guestrooms on the Manor House’s third floor will be renovated from floor to ceiling. Work has begun already on the thorough renovation of the 45 guestrooms in The Mews, originally a farm complex on the estate located on Reynolda Road, near the university.

“We’re replacing furniture, carpeting, light fixtures and window and wall coverings, as well as repairing and painting the interior walls in The Mews and the Manor House,” said Graylyn General Manager Troy Grooms. “New bathrooms are being installed, too.”

“The changes will enhance the comfort and attractiveness of the guestrooms,” Grooms added.

“High-speed data connections are also being installed in the guestrooms for those using computers during their stay at Graylyn,” he said. The connections will be convenient to new workstations in the rooms.

Similar high-tech work is planned for Graylyn’s meeting rooms, which will have new multimedia equipment installed.

Other projects for Graylyn are planned, including repaving the property’s roads and parking areas and improving the landscaping by trimming overgrown trees and bushes and expanding the property’s flower plantings.

In all, Graylyn features 98 guestrooms and 25 fully equipped meeting and breakout rooms.

Graylyn, a world-class facility, has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including the Top 10 Conference Centers “Paragon” Award from Corporate Meetings & Incentives magazine (11-time winner), the Gold Key Award from Meetings & Conventions magazine (three-time winner), the Award of Excellence from Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine (nine-time winner) for being “one of the best conference centers in the United States,” the Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award (four-time winner), and the Meetings South, Stars of the South Award (2000).

Graylyn supports a number of Wake Forest scholarships each year. The undergraduate scholars receive full tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Graduate scholarships are also provided for the School of Law, the School of Medicine and the Babcock Graduate School of Management.