In the public’s eyes, the performance of
The Lion King at The Peace Center in June 2012 is a chance to enjoy a premiere Broadway show. To architect Scott Garvin, it is a looming deadline of when his firm, Garvin Design Group, must ensure the completion of the three-phase renovation of The Peace Center. Begun in May of this year, the completed $21.5 million renovation will produce a building more accommodating for larger audiences and heavier pedestrian traffic.
The first phase of construction, which is well underway now, will result in a more pedestrian-friendly outdoor plaza fronting Main Street and an expanded front lobby for event-goers. When The Peace Center opened 20 years ago, it was at the south end of the downtown area. Greenville has grown rapidly in the last 20 years, and the Center plaza, which has become more centralized, receives heavier foot traffic. The plaza renovations will capture even more pedestrian traffic by creating an open, inviting and accessible space complete with water features. The addition of seating for lunchtime visitors makes the space feel more urban. Garvin says with the help of contractor Triangle Construction, they are removing brick pavers and reworking the space with stone so it blends seamlessly with other downtown features. The pavers are being recycled by the City of Greenville for other uses off-site.
“Greenville is proud of The Peace Center,” says Garvin. “It is a timeless, well-received space in which the arts are celebrated. Our job is to make an aesthetic statement by enhancing an already well-designed facility that incorporates both modern structures and historic buildings.”
This fall, construction begins on phase two of the renovation project, which includes the addition of a theater lounge on the back of the concert hall facing the Reedy River and updates to turn the outdoor amphitheater into a full-fledged music pavilion. “The addition is light and transparent with glass walls and seemingly little apparent structure,” says Garvin. “We do not want to diminish the importance of the existing buildings and will reference the historic buildings on the river.”
“Phases one and two are the main parts of the project affecting the public,” says Robert Gilbert, The Peace Center’s director of marketing and sales. “Phase three is still on the drawing board and is focused on updating administrative buildings, which includes offices and meeting rooms. “Before we broke ground, individuals, foundations and corporate donors had already supplied more than 60 percent of project funding,” continues Gilbert. “We are still receiving large corporate donations and will focus on increasing public donations later this fall.”
Like all renovation projects, this one is not without its challenges. “This is a very high profile part of downtown Greenville with a lot of stakeholders. With a project of this magnitude, we want to make everything right so the building is in as good shape in 20 years as when we first built it,” says Gilbert.
“Our greatest design challenge has been working with a great number of stakeholders,” concurs Garvin. “We are coordinating input from Center staff, board members, city government, and the public – all of which are very active participants. The expectation bar is high. We are renovating a facility that is already well designed. Plans for the plaza challenged us because we had to design it to please everyone, and everyone has a different use or purpose for it.
“This project is one of the most complicated additions we’ve ever dealt with because of the building’s unique structural system and special finishes,” admits Garvin. “But overall, we have received positive input from a wide range of audiences, which is enabling us to design a better building.”
The site incorporates some sustainable features, according to Garvin. Material composition outside (think natural stone) is a greener choice. Inside, the addition of more flexible, multi-use spaces is a way to reduce office space and results in a more eco-friendly footprint.
By the time
The Lion King rolls into town next spring, Gilbert projects The Peace Center’s halls will see 62,000 people in the four-week time period of the show’s tour. Since the Center’s capacity is 2,000, that means about 32 performances within one month will draw the public to see the renovations and new spaces. “
The Lion King is one of the biggest sellers in Broadway history, so that’s why we knew we needed to have renovations completed by the time it opens,” Gilbert says.
The Peace Center
The Peace Center brings independent films, Broadway shows, opera, dance and musical performances, children’s theater and more to Upstate residents. Find a complete show listing at
www.peacecenter.org.