Charlotte Arts Master Plan

[DigitalSky]

Found these renderings of the Knight Theatre today, courtesy TVSA.

[monsoon]

From this vantage point the museum reminds me of the modernist Rivoli Theatre built in Myrtle Beach in the late 1950s. (probably one of the last of the single screen venues) I liked that building and this one as well. It doesn't look like a Charlotte building at least in this rendering. Ironically the Rivoli, a movie theatre, included some abstract art built into the exterior of the building. This building is missing it. Still it's a nice change for Charlotte.

[atlrvr]

I enjoy the two sides depicted in the first rendering. The northern facade doesn't matter much because it faces the alley, but the Church St. facade of the theatre is the biggest let down of the entire Wachovia/Arts project. Hopefully they will have some theatre posters or something to soften the lifeless/opaque facade.

The block is partially redeemed in that the 440 S. Church office building under construction across the street will have retail.

[dubone]

I haven't been by in person but the model depicts that side as boring but not that bad. It just looks like a small brick building of a very pedestrian scale, plus a garage door. It has windows and an entrance on the corner. Did this somehow turn into something lifeless and opaque in real life?

The Church St side of Knight Theatre wouldn't matter as much (it is very slim) if the facade on the base of the 400 S Tryon deck on the rest of that block were better. That wavy split block is just awful, despite the seemlingly good intention.

[atlrvr]

^ That's not bad?

In 400 St. Tryon's defense, it at least has ground floor retail on Church. This has a metal gated garage door, a lifeless brick face (with some possibly faux-windows), and entrance that is not for public use (I believe this is for actors/crew only). In fact, this reminds me exactly of the back-of-house of Blumenthal along College that everyone decries, except that at least had an adjacent public entrance.

[dubone]

From an architectural perspective it is boring, as I mentioned above. In my view, though, no, it isn't bad for the urban fabric. It is a pedestrian scale building abutting the sidewalk with ample room for pedestrians and a facade with transparent windows at regular intervals, higher quality human scale materials (brick) and an entrance to building in which civic activity takes place. We can't have retail on every square inch of sidewalk, and as pointed out with the parking deck, even having retail doesn't mean the facade won't be opaque and lifeless. Likewise, just because it lacks retail doesn't mean it is lifeless and opaque. In fact, by definition, windows are not opaque, and the fact that it has an entrance for an active civic use means it is not lifeless.

I should point out the very key differences it has which should separate it from the Blumenthal back of house along 5th. The Blumenthal does not have windows, but rather display cases for posters. It also cramps into the pedestrian space by placing those pillars in the middle, creating a very narrow corridor to walk in. It is also for an entire block length, rather that 1/3 of the block like this is. And lastly, the Blumenthal's 5th Street facade has no entrance, whereas this this has an entrance that is given proper treatment with a set back and an awning rather than just a door on large facade.

[Mobuchu]

12-8-08

AACC

Bechtler, Knight, and Mint on Tryon

The return of 1st Street (both directions)

Ceiling of the Bech. now has Terra Cotta

Mint from Church St. It looks like they are going past 6 floors, its hard to see, but there is rebar for supports on what would be floor 7??

And in case anyone would like to continue the debate....

[cltheel.sdl]

I think it's hard to say right now about the condo tower...I think we'll know for sure in a week or two. It would definitely not bother me if the tower was built...the visiting Wells execs need someplace nice to stay!

[rockhilljames]

I hope they're able to do the exterior of the AACC right, it has the potential to be the most stunning piece of the cultural campus.

[Andyc545]

Thanks Mo for the photos. Truly some spectacular architecture represented in those...

[dubone]

Mo, don't forget that floor 6 also needs a ceiling.

I guess we'll see in another floor if they are going to stop at 6 or not.

[Mobuchu]

^Look at the side closest to the Wach trading floors, it has a ceiling and rebar extending up. Or does the ground floor not count?

[dubone]

I counted the ground floor, but didn't account for the rebar spiking up about the 7th there. I wonder how that works when they intend to stop but want to keep the ability to build beyond it later. I guess we'll see in a few weeks.

[Andyc545]

Discovery Place is beginning its 32 million dollar renovation finally. Contrary to the original plans to close the doors for 9 months then reopen after renovations, it seems they are going to keep it open and do sections at a time over 18 months instead. The cafe that is located at street level on Tryon will be the first thing to go.

[tozmervo]

Cladding is already going up on side of the Mint Museum. It looks a little more massive than I was imagining, but still looks good. If you go down Church Street you can really get a close look.

[krazeeboi]

Taken today:

[eastsider]

[AuLukey]

While I love the front side of this building, the entire backside seems like an afterthought, just so dark grey and bland. If I lived in the Ratcliffe, I'd be pissed.

[Norm2]

I believe that the backside was designed with that thought of that the back would eventually get covered up by another building, if one is ever build on that parking lot back there.

[New Name]

It's going to start getting every exciting, very soon - they've got the gutters an curbs built, and the paver plaza and a good deal of the sidewalks done in front of the Bechtler. I can't wait to see what this place feels like once the street barriers are opened up.

[Andyc545]

I wish these would have been completed in time for Summer so I could bring family when they come visit in May.

[cltheel.sdl]

Could someone please remind me when the opening dates of the cultural attractions are?

[atlrvr]

North Carolina Dance Theatre will begin site work next week on their new HQ/studio space. It will be on N. Tryon in Uptown on the vacant lot next to the McColl Center for Arts (the old church/artist space). Per the Observer, site work will begin next week.

Rendering:

No mention of who the architect is.

Not bad....I would have preferred something more substantial/dense on N. Tryon, but the design is ok. Reminiscent of Imaginon.

The Observer mentions there will be a costume shop included. Hopefully it will have an exterior entrance. That part would be exciting. Though I like Morris, I'd definitely support an urban store.

There is no chance of this not happening, as financing has been completely secured.

EDIT: Fixed rendering.

[tiblerbrit]

Awesome I didn't even know this was on the table. A bit more info from the offical press release on the Dance Theater's webpage:

35,000 square feet.

Architect is Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates.

Studios overlook Tryon so pedestrians can see.

Future expansion room behind building left for a "black box theater" for experimental dance.

Recently made possible by a big grant ($1.5 million from Knight Foundation).

Bigger Pic:

[InitialD]

The rendering looks like it shows the future 10th St. extension, is that correct?