AECOM Hunt, in a joint venture, served as construction manager for additions and renovations to the Robinson Center Music Hall. The existing 133,500-square-foot facility was originally built in the 1930’s and featured a 2,609-seat performance hall with an exhibition hall underneath. The historic venue is an excellent example of the Art Deco style of architecture.
The interior renovations involved significant structural demolition while maintaining the historic exterior and bracing/seismic retrofit work, including the removal of the existing main seating level and existing balcony. The newly renovated 147,000-square-foot facility includes 2,214-seats on two levels, new box seats, an orchestra level, and all new world-class acoustics. The renovation also brought improved circulation throughout the building with the addition of a grand staircase and an enlarged lobby space. The project also included the replacement of all the HVAC, plumbing, electrical distribution and lighting to meet modern demands and energy standards.
Additions included new back-of-house facilities for the performance hall, including modern theatrical lighting and audio system, increased dressing and chorus room capacity, and increased support and staging areas for performers and sets. The stage was lowered over 30 feet to provide more acoustic volume and height to the performance hall, along with street level access to the newly expanded loading dock, making the building easily accessible for traveling shows. Another piece of the renovation and expansion project included the relocation of the Robinson Conference Center, which now boasts a two-story, glass-and-steel façade with flexible meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 530 people and four new meeting rooms with direct access to a 5,477-square-foot terrace overlooking the Arkansas River and beyond.
The Robinson Center Music Hall Additions and Renovations project received LEED Gold Certification on August, 23 2017.