Phase 2: Steinmetz Hall & The Green Room

It's so close you can almost hear it.

Fulfilling the original dream of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Steinmetz Hall and the Green Room will allow guests to enjoy a range of “unplugged” local, national and international artists in all-new, one-of-a-kind performance spaces.

These spaces complete the 698,312-square-foot facility in the heart of downtown Orlando. The entire project includes: three theaters, intimate performance space, grand lobby and other public lobbies, rehearsal rooms, classrooms, event space, administrative offices, a rooftop terrace, a public plaza, and production and support. Dr. Phillips Center also manages Bob Carr Theater.

fast facts about the campus

2-block, 9-acre destination in downtown Orlando
Campus footprint: 335,283 square feet
Total square footage of building (all levels, phase 1 and 2): 698,312 square feet
Phase 1 groundbreaking: June 2011
Phase 1 grand opening: November 2014
Phase 2 (Steinmetz Hall and the Green Room) groundbreaking: March 2017
Total project cost: $604 million
Full-time and part-time colleagues: approximately 200
Volunteers: approximately 300

physical address

445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801

phase 2

Steinmetz Hall: one of the world’s most acoustically perfect spaces, named after philanthropists Chuck and Margery Pabst Steinmetz
The Green Room: an intimate rehearsal and performance space, named after Joyce and Judson Green
8 dressing rooms that each accommodate 2–4 people; 2 dressing rooms for up to 10 people; 4 dressing rooms for musicians and chorus members; 1 conductor dressing room
A traditional green room where artists can relax before performances
A 2,750-square-foot commercial kitchen on tier 3 with ovens, refrigeration, freezer, dishwashing and storage
9 bars throughout 4 tiers
Continuation of the wave wall that borders Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater and Walt Disney Theater
8 restrooms (men’s and women’s)—2 on each of the 4 tiers

project leadership

Design architect: Barton Myers Associates, Inc.
Executive architect: HKS Architects, Inc.
General contractor: Whiting Turner
Owners’ representative: The Projects Group
Structural/mechanical/electrical engineer: TLC Engineering for Architecture
Theater planners: Theater Projects Consultants, Inc.
Acoustician: Stage Consultants
Lighting design: Ann Kale Associates

anticipated opening: fall 2020

steinmetz hall design features

sound

Steinmetz Hall will be one of the world’s most acoustically perfect halls, designed to achieve an N1 sound rating—the lowest level at which humans can detect sound.
The entire theater is encased inside an exterior concrete frame. Between the theater and the frame are 437 18-inch steel and rubber isolation pads that act as shock absorbers to deaden sound from traffic and passing trains, and other ambient noise.
Once the hall is completed, it will be acoustically tuned for approximately six weeks.
The tuning will include precise adjustments to 70 mechanized fabric panels concealed within the ceiling, and six large acoustical curtains located throughout the hall that direct and filter sound. They will be adjusted to create optimal acoustics for different types of performances and room configurations. Specific formulas will be created to help guide the production team as they get the hall ready for performances.

shape

The hall is a multiform theater that will transform in shape, seating and acoustics to accommodate a variety of art forms and events.
Different configurations are achieved through a 62-foot-high, 27-foot-deep shell with movable floor, walls and seating. By moving the 210-ton shell from upstage to downstage (front to back) along heavy-duty, steel train tracks, the space transforms into a perfect acoustical concert hall.
Along with the shell, two 53-foot-high stage towers add to the hall’s flexibility. When in use, they can be placed at either side of the shell or used to augment the proscenium, which is the permanent structure that frames the stage.
The towers rest on air casters, transforming them into hovercraft that can manually move from place to place.
The hall is ideally suited for orchestral concerts, staged opera, recitals, dance, popular recording artists and speakers.

seating

There are 4 main levels of seating, including the orchestra and 3 additional tiers. There are also seats along the perimeter of the shell, which can be configured to present performances in the round. At its maximum, the theater will seat approximately 1,700 people.
When not in use, 22 rows of seats in the lower orchestra pivot forward 180 degrees and are stored upside down under the theater, creating a flat floor for dancing or catered events.
The first 5 rows closest to the stage also have 3 distinct height options, making it easy to create an orchestra pit or add a forestage, as needed.
Both orchestra and upper-level seats are close to the stage and arranged on moderate inclines to provide an even more intimate viewing experience.
The seat structures and theater millwork are natural-stained cherry wood, seat bottoms are tamarind (deep brown) faux leather and seat backs are a rich copper hue.

floor plan specs

proscenium | 1,600 seats

In this format, the shell and towers are not used.
The stage box has a maximum opening of 50’ wide by 44’ tall. Performers will be able to move in a performance area that is approximately 67’ wide and 50’ deep, with 20’ of wing space on either side.

Additionally, there is a side stage approximately 50’ by 45’ that can be used for varying performance-related needs.

100-line sets for set pieces, lighting and other rigging hangs 110’ above the stage floor.
The stage floor is sprung and is monolithic between two large railroad tracks that carry the concert enclosure. This provides a ballet space which is 67’ x 50’.

concert | 1,600–1,700 seats

Through an elaborate system, the full orchestra setup includes a unit shell that slides into place to form an in-the-round concert hall for approximately 100 musicians, several soloists and a conductor.
First five rows of seats fold away and the lift becomes a stage extension.
A set of custom orchestra platforms are arranged in front of the enclosure’s rear wall.
The fixed ceiling contains concert lighting and the ability to drop screens to accommodate multimedia productions.
To reach concert mode, seats are stored under the stage floor to allow the stage to extend in length.
A smaller recital hall can be created as well by removing two of the seating towers, providing an intimate performance venue for solo artists.
The rear wall of the orchestra can be utilized for guests, but can also house 130 choir members for select performances.

flat floor | variable seating

The orchestra floor can utilize the full stage house and rigging, or can be utilized with the concert-hall style enclosure.
A set of articulating stairs on each side of the auditorium can pull up to stage level or positioned down at the corridor level.
Floor can be configured in tiers for cabaret or conference set-up.
The flat floor space is ideal for banquets and corporate events, able to accommodate 590.

production

Throughout the hall, there are approximately 20 mechanical lifts that hoist heavy set pieces and scenery into place.
There are 5 separate lighting systems in the theater: house lights, work lights, running lights, concert lights and a state-of-the-art production lighting system. In total, there are 1,203 lighting circuits throughout the hall and stage.

dimensions

Including performance spaces, public walkways, lobbies and all back-of-house areas, phase 2 is 127,680 square feet.
The stage box—which includes the stage and the area immediately above the stage—is 126 feet high, the tallest point of the theater.
The shell is approximately 62 feet high by 78 feet wide by 27 feet deep.
The stage towers are approximately 53 feet high by 10 feet square.

accessibility

There are 28 wheelchair and companion seat positions in the theater.
All public restrooms on all tiers are wheelchair accessible.
Elevators access all levels of the theater and wheelchair lifts reach select tiers.
Complimentary Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) are available for most shows.

the green room design features

This 3,000-square-foot, multi-purpose space was inspired by the performance space at Jazz at Lincoln Center in midtown Manhattan.
It’s designed to give artists a place for musical exploration and innovation.
A signature design feature is a soaring, 27-foot wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.
It’s equipped with leading-edge digital recording equipment and built-in video mounts to enable artists to professionally record tracks in front of live audiences.
A full commercial kitchen just steps away will make the Green Room a popular space for corporate and family events.

phase 2 construction facts

From start to finish, completing phase 2 will require in excess of 1.2 million hours of labor.
With the acoustical demands of the theater, the project required underground foundational work 36 feet below street level, which took almost a year to complete.
The entire project will utilize approximately 110,751,300 pounds of concrete and 1,666,500 pounds—or 833.25 tons—of structural steel.
The foundation alone is 7 feet thick and made of more than 23 million pounds of concrete, 3.5 million pounds of reinforcing steel and 1 million feet of steel rebar that, if laid end to end, would stretch 188 miles.
Built into the foundation are 670 concrete and rebar pilings that support the theater.

key project milestones

Completed:

Groundbreaking March 2017
Concrete mat foundation October 2017
Tower cranes installed October 2017
Concrete structure to ground level March 2018
Concrete stage box August 2018
Concrete theater box November 2018
Structural steel trusses for theater November 2018
Remaining concrete structure May 2019

Expected completion in mid 2019:

Structural steel and structural canopy

phase 1 composition

della phillips grand lobby (tier 1)

The main entrance space, located at the foot of the signature wave wall.
Event space with state-of-the-art bar and catering preparation room.
Capacity: 600 people

walt disney theater (tier 1)

With 2,711 seats, this amplified theater is the art center’s largest performance space used for Broadway productions, concerts and traveling shows.
Named on behalf of its sponsor, Walt Disney Theater has three levels of seating: orchestra, mezzanine and balcony.
Amplified sound is loud but clear with strong bass support, superb sound imaging and clearly understandable reinforcement for actors and singers.
Capacity: 2,711 people

alexis & jim pugh theater (tier 2)

A multi-purpose, 300-seat community theater ideal for plays, dance, music and education.
Named for local business leaders and philanthropists Alexis and Jim Pugh, the intimate space is designed in a horseshoe configuration with a thrust stage that can extend into the audience.
The theater’s acoustics give strength to solo and spoken-word performances.
Like Steinmetz Hall, the orchestra-level seating can transform to a flat floor for performances, banquets and events.
Capacity: 294 people

devos family room (tier 3)

This one-of-a-kind, 4,500 square-foot space is one of Orlando’s most sought-after locations for weddings, corporate meetings and special events.
Three sides of the room are ceiling-to-floor windows and offer magnificent views of downtown Orlando and the Seneff Arts Plaza. A special perk: one of the three window walls completely opens to the outdoors.
Capacity: 350 people

kessler tier and the rooftop terrace (tier 5)

Located on the highest level and are perfect for receptions, dinners and other social events.
Capacity: 150 people

seneff arts plaza (the “front lawn”)

This spans more than three acres of green space with tall palm trees, shaded seating and towering architecture.
It’s used to host a variety of free and ticketed events, including evening receptions, food truck rallies and music festivals.

adventhealth school of the arts (tier 2)

The school was created to add a new dimension to what was currently offered in the community.
Within five large, brightly lit classrooms, teaching artists direct classes in dance and movement, theater and musicianship, and many instruments are provided to students, like pianos, drums and keyboards.
The school also hosts summer camps, master classes, training seminars and professional development workshops for educators.

additional phase 1 features:

5 loading bays
35 bathrooms
24 showers
Artist lounge area and 12 dressing rooms
Laundry room
Rehearsal room
2 Steinway concert grand pianos for artist and educational use
76 wheelchair positions with companion seating

ADVENTHEALTH FENCE

AdventHealth’s branding surrounds our phase 2 construction site as part of our partnership and their ongoing commitment to uniting wellness and the arts—especially through AdventHealth School of the Arts at Dr. Phillips Center.