Originally a 1929 silent movie theatre, the Stevens Center is a magnificently restored neoclassical theatre located in downtown Winston-Salem. Re-opened in April of 1983, it is the primary performance space for several local and state arts organizations. In 2000, working with a local architect, SKA performed a structural load study of the top five floors of the Stevens Center to ascertain the live load capacity allowable by the Building Code, in light of planned renovations and change in use of these floors. In 2001 and 2002, SKA provided to the Architect and Owner structural engineering services and made cost estimates for strengthening these upper floors to accommodate the renovations. SKA also provided structural designs for the strengthening of the existing cast-in-place concrete beams using external carbon fiber reinforcing.

The Phase II renovation project will consist of a significant, transformative, phased renovation to the existing ten (10) story tower as well as the attached auditorium. The entire Stevens Center will be shut down and unoccupied during construction and phased renovations. Currently, Phase I is under construction, with construction slated to finish in March of 2026. Based on the current project schedule, Phase II Schematic Design work is scheduled to begin in January of 2025 with construction bidding process taking place in October of 2026. Phase II construction commencement will follow in the fourth quarter of 2026. The project budget is $51M. SKA is providing structural engineering consulting services for Phase II including: removal of interior single viewing balcony and construction of 2 new interior balconies which will wrap around the sides of the auditorium walls, removal and reconstruction of orchestra level framing, reconfiguration of multiple basement levels for cohesive lower-level flow, potential relocation of loading dock and installation of bridge, relocation of mechanical equipment, floor and wall openings, strengthening of existing structural elements, and lateral stability upgrades.