Wharton Center employees certainly are pleased with the facility’s $18.5 million renovation as many of them were literally working from closets. But the public will be just as pleased when the new facility is unveiled at a public open house from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11.
“We were quite literally stacked in broom closets,” says Kent Love, spokesman for the Wharton Center.
The $18.5 million project included a 24,000 square foot expansion as well as a 9,000 square foot renovation of existing space. The expansion includes a large administration office, a four story backstage addition with a new service elevator, crew restrooms, a second-story 20-person dressing room and a third floor storage space.
The renovation includes an extensive, attractive façade, landscaping that includes an amphitheater and gardens, a new lobby, expanded gift shop and ticket area and restrooms. Second floor renovations include new restrooms and two new lounge spaces sponsored by Jackson National Life and the Christman Company.
“This is our first significant renovation,” Love says. “We opened our doors in 1982. This really has stood the test of time and the architects of the building created a contemporary design that really is timeless.”
The building also includes green elements, most notably 75 percent of the construction materials were diverted from landfills.
The facility was completed on time, but the Wharton Center still needs $4 million to meet its $11 million fundraising goal.
“We’re confident that we will continue to do that,” Love says.
The open house will include self-guided tours (definitely worth it if you have the time) and visits from influential guest such as Clifton and Dolores Wharton.
Source: Kent Love, Wharton Center
Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.
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