News 13 takes you inside the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando this exclusive special.

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Introduction

Seven years in the making, some thought it would never happen, hampered by the fall of the national economy.

But the fight was on for the arts in Central Florida. Years of fundraising for millions of dollars paid off as, block by block, we saw a major change to the downtown Orlando skyline.

This is the Making of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. It's an exciting tale to tell, a game changer for the city of Orlando, but also a story of determination.

It's a unique building — there are only 37 complexes of its kind in the world today — but while the nearly $500 million Dr. Phillips Center is now officially open, more work remains.

The construction fence still outlines the back of the facility as the final touches are made inside the Dr. Phillips Center, the first of three phases at the complex.

In addition, the American Federal Building, better known as the "Round Building," did not meet deadline for demolition. Crews were supposed to complete the teardown in October, but then said it will not be complete until the middle of December.

Construction

Years before Orlando city leaders broke ground on the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, it was a grassroots effort to gain support and funds.

Defined as a private nonprofit, it became a project with philanthropy at the heart of it. After years of research and planning, Balfour Beatty Construction took on the job and began work in 2011.

The construction created more than 3,000 jobs, logged more than 1 million man hours, and the majority of the work was supplied by local labor.

"This building was built by our community," said Sean DeMartino, president of Balfour Beatty Construction's Florida Division in Orlando. "It's going to serve our community, and it's at the heart of our community."

The performing arts center is named for philanthropist and citrus magnate Dr. Phillip Phillips (1874–1959), and the center is within walking distance of the house he and his wife, Della, owned on Lake Lucerne. Dr. P. Phillips hosted many concerts, bringing acclaimed musicians from all around the world to play on his front lawn for the entire Orlando community to enjoy.

The Dr. Phillips Center took a year longer than expected to complete, but the Dr. Phillips Center is now ready to serve the community and has been dubbed the "front porch of the city."

"It's very iconic in its nature," said DeMartino. "The beautiful canopy that sits over the plaza is meant to be, as I understand it, a welcoming feature."

A welcoming design feature unique to this arts center is the entrance. Walking to the performing arts center, you don't step up or step down.

Once inside the five-story building, more than 3,000 guests can enjoy events at both the Walt Disney Theater and the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater. The building also houses rehearsal rooms, banquet space and educational facilities.

"It's very open, from a perspective of daylighting and all of the glazing that's on the outside of the building," said DeMartino. "A lot of the structure is exposed. A lot of the structural steel and the concrete, a lot of the areas in the building are open."

While the first stage of the project is complete, it wasn't without challenges and delays.

"We've actually gone through three different economies, believe it or not," said Kathy Ramsberger, President and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center. "You learn as you move along. We've had some dynamics to change."

With a goal of $425 million, funds came in from donors, the city, county and state. But it wasn't enough when the deadline came and went.

"When the recession hit and the tourist development tax dried up, we looked at a way we could continue to move forward," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. "There was no way we could build the entirety of the performing arts center, so we developed a plan to build it in two stages."

The second stage will build the 1,700-seat Acoustical Theater. The plans are drawn, but funds still have to be raised. So far, no developer has been assigned to the project, and breaking ground on the third theater may not happen until early 2016.

"A good house is never finished, and so even when we finish the entire building, we're always going to be making it better," Ramsberger said.

Reshaping Downtown Orlando

Even as construction moves forward, the opening of the Dr. Phillips Center is a climactic ending for those who put their heart and soul into getting the project underway. But it's also just one piece of a larger master plan that dates back more than a quarter-century.

Sitting on 9 acres of prime real estate, right across the street from Orlando City Hall, is the new performing arts center, along with three commercial sites on the property.

Thousands of guests will be able to take in shows, music and events, but that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the big picture.

Mayor Buddy Dyer and other city leaders have been on a mission to reshape downtown Orlando altogether, and over the last 10 years, the city has seen major growth.

"It's part of an overall plan to have a linear sports and entertainment district," Dyer explained.

Already checked off on the master plan is the Amway Center, the new home of the Orlando Magic that opened in 2010. Massive improvements to the Citrus Bowl are also underway, the site is cleared for Orlando's high-tech Creative Village, and shovels dug up purple sand at the October groundbreaking of the nearly 20,000-seat Orlando City Soccer Club stadium.

"We're really trying to build a very, very creative community where there are choices," said Kathy Ramsberger, President and CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center.

But one challenge remains: Once complete, will the people come, and how will they get there?

"We're going to have over 60 million visitors this year," Mayor Dyer said. "But a large percentage of them will come here and never see our downtown, because you can go from the airport to Disney or Universal or I-Drive without ever passing through downtown."

That's why the other vision for downtown Orlando is to reshape transportation. The mayor says Visit Orlando is promoting downtown and all modes of travel, from SunRail to LYNX and Lymmo.

"We want to make the city more pedestrian-friendly, but when we talk about getting around, it's mobility," said Dyer.

Not to mention walkability. The Dr. Phillips Center has entrances on the street level, making it more accessible, and that brings up a big issue: Parking. A garage that specifically serves performing arts patrons was never built.

"Their primary garage will be the CNL garage, behind City Hall," the mayor explained. "There's a walkover through City Hall and through the CNL building that puts you right in front of the performing arts center."

Orlando's O-Cartz shuttle will also be available to take guests from the City Commons Parking Garage, on Boone Avenue behind City Hall, to the front door of the Dr. Phillips Center. Besides that garage, officials say there are 4,000 existing parking spaces within a 5-minute walk and thousands more located a little farther.

Here is a map of the parking garages downtown. If you can't view the map below, you can open it in Google Maps.

If hunting for a parking spot isn't your style, the Dr. Phillips Center offers a valet service. Just look for the guys in the orange shirts. The dropoff location is on Magnolia Avenue, in front of the facility.

On performance days, you will also find some alternative transportation. You could hop on a pedicab or take a ride in an electric cart.

Of course, all of these options are designed to make sure you have more time to enjoy your performance at the Dr. Phillips Center.

An Inside Tour

The first time we got to take our news camera inside the still-under-construction Dr. Phillips Center was in mid-April.

Scaffolding was up everywhere. We saw what was supposed to be the "wave wall," and the grand staircase was still coming together.

Now, it's all a reality. It's polished, and the "new" smell of iron, carpet and paint is everywhere.

After the ribbon was cut, for the first time in months, we had 2 hours to run from room to room, rolling on everything in our sight, including places only VIPs will ever get to see.

"Oh, my God, I had tears in my eyes," said Jim Pugh, chairman of the Dr. Phillips Center Board of Directors, following the grand opening ceremony. "It's once in a lifetime."

Pugh and the other board members helped build one of only 37 venues of its kind on the planet. One of the reasons for that is because of the acoustics, so let's first take you inside the two completed theaters.

Inside the 300-seat Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater, your eyes are immediately drawn to the colorful ceiling of abstract artwork, featuring 34 pieces by artist Tom McGrath.

If you want more stage area, the orchestra level seating can be transformed into a flat floor.

You wouldn't know it, but this theater is surrounded by a potentially noisy bathroom and kitchen. In light of that, designers used acoustical insulation and promise no unwanted noise, even with a much larger theater right next door.

The grand poobah of theaters, the 2,700-seat Walt Disney Theater is 9 times the size of its neighbor down the hall.

You'll notice the Walt Disney Theater has more of an industrial feel that you might be used to in a theater. That's on purpose.

"Concrete floors, the combo of concrete and carpet and the walls, is made for one reason: For the acoustics to be absolutely perfect," said Jeheira Amaez, with the Dr. Phillips Center.

Unlike the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center down the road, the Walt Disney Theater has aisles, cup holders, and enough space for you to walk to your seat without making people stand up.

We got to go backstage, too, and into the green room, where performers and celebrities will hang out before and after shows.

Those are the two theaters, but it's out in the Della Phillips Grand Lobby, named for the wife of the performing arts center's namesake, that provides the first impression.

You'll notice purples and clean whites, especially up the grand stairwell, and a variety of textures.

On Tier 1 is Harry's Bar, with a giant wave wall with an ever-changing color scheme as its backdrop.

For the best views of downtown Orlando, head up to Tier 3, to the balcony of the Ravago Bar, one of five stationary bars inside the Dr. Phillips Center.

On the same level, bring your beverage into the DeVos Family Room, with its huge, floor-to-ceiling walls.

Interestingly, the space where only donors are allowed is one level down, so your view is technically better.

Speaking of limited-access areas, get a load of Harriett's Ladies' Lounge, which we snapped photos of while still in construction. Named by fashionista and philanthropist Harriett Lake, this restroom is adorned with chandeliers, each with clear and pink crystal droplets and pink accents.

Lake, herself, approved everything. In Phase 2 of the Dr. Phillips Center, Harriett's will get an expansion.

Speaking of restrooms, there's something else we should share, as no one likes standing in a long line: In the lobby areas alone, there are 49 restrooms with a total of 123 stalls throughout the entire venue, both backstage and front.

That should make the ladies very happy.

By the Numbers: Dr. Phillips Center facts
  • 69 Florida companies were involved in the Dr. Phillips Center's construction.
  • 49 of those companies were local to Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.
  • 78 sinks and 123 stalls line the restrooms in the front of the house. 
  • 304 seats are in the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater. 
  • 2,731 seats are in the massive Walt Disney Theater. 
  • 103 feet, 7 inches is the height of the Dr. Phillips Center at its tallest exterior point.

Economic Impact

The entire Dr. Phillips Center complex sits on 9 acres along Orange Avenue, across from Orlando City Hall. Developers want to use every inch of that space, including building a third theater on a grassy plot right next to the center and South Street. That will be Phase 3 of the project.

The next two phases are geared toward sleeping, eating and more ways to play in downtown Orlando. Here is a look at the possible moneymakers and new downtown neighbors expected to have a huge impact on Orlando's economy.

The Bob Carr Theater is a staple of downtown Orlando entertainment dating back to 1926, but its size and scope are now dwarfed by the new Dr. Phillips Center.

"Night and day, no comparison," said Mayor Buddy Dyer. "This is truly a world class building."

The Bob Carr will stay in operation — for now — until plans for the next two phases of the Dr. Phillips Center get off the ground.

The third theater, capable of holding 1,700 seats, is still raising funds for construction. Officials said the rest of the money will have to come from donations.

Half of the funds for the project came from the tourist development tax, CRA funding, state grants and philanthropy. All of that brings the grand total to $500 million just for the performing arts center, which is just one of the venues that make up the city's $1.2 billion master plan for downtown Orlando.

That's a lot of dough, but city officials predict it will all pay off in the long run.

"Businesses really want to know that they have the workforce in a region, that there's infrastructure in the region, and there's a great quality of life for their employees as well," said Jennifer Wakefield, vice president of marketing and communications for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.

The Orlando EDC is promoting the City Beautiful as a stronger business destination, and that comes with a new campaign in the new year called "Orlando: You Don't know the Half of It." The campaign will highlight venues downtown, including the Dr. Phillips Center, the Amway Center, the newly renovated Citrus Bowl, and the future site of the Creative Village.

City officials say they borrowed inspiration from a number of cities to create what downtown Orlando is today.

"We've gone to other cities that have been successful," said Mayor Dyer.

"We took a trip to Nashville to look at what they've done in their art scene and found that they've been very, very successful in recruiting companies and talent to their market," said Wakefield.

While officials couldn't put a dollar amount on how all of these venues will impact Orlando's economy, officials say the region is already generating a lot of interest.

"This will be completed and be another feather in our cap," said Wakefield.

Seneff Arts Plaza

The Dr. Phillips Center already put the Seneff Arts Plaza, outside the front of the building, to work the first weekend after the performing arts center opened.

Thousands of guests packed the plaza to see Sheryl Crow perform a free concert.

The crowd was totally into it, and Crow even came back out for two encores.

The green space that is the Seneff Arts Plaza was designed to not only accomodate outdoor shows, but also double as Orlando's new "town square."

You might consider the heart of downtown Orlando to be Lake Eola, Church Street, or perhaps Wall Street.

But a town square? Not so much.

After the public got its first look at the rendering of the outdoor arts plaza, did they think it coould become Orlando's ultimate gathering space?

"Oh, of course," said makeup artist Nicole Dupre back in April, when we showed her the rendering.

"Definitely, especially if there's food and drink over there," said Tom Neyland, whom we also spoke with in downtown Orlando shortly after the concept art was first revealed. "Could be a good hangout."

"This could really be, finally, that for Orlando," added Marc Collins.

Originally known as simply the CNL Arts Plaza, it has since been renamed after James Seneff, CNL Financial Group's executive chairman and former vice chairman of the Dr. Phillips Center Board of Directors. The plaza was named after him to reflect his personal work with the development of the performing arts center since day one.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, city commissioners and developers gathered in April to reveal their vision of what should go in front of the Dr. Phillips Center's main entrance. That vision included a fountain that integrates water, lighting and music effects, restaurants, bars and other shops.

"I'd like to see locally run restaurants — not major chains — locally run bars," Neyland said.

Right now, you see sodded and unsodded land to the north and south. Those will eventually be built on, said Dr. Phillips Center President and CEO Kathy Ramsberger.

"The large fields on the outsides of the palm trees, one side is a commercial building. The other side happens to be a hotel, a boutique hotel," Ramsberger explained.

The center space is designed for outdoor concerts, like Sherl Crow's grand premiere concert on Nov. 8.

"That center field fits 3,000 people," said Ramsberger.

As far as additional concerts, we know that six free shows will be part of the first concert series sponsored by Florida Blue. Those are planned for Thursday evenings.

So far, the U.S. Navy Band committed to March 7, 2015, and — on dates to be determined — Original Wailers and Tiempo Libre.

But from the start, developers says there's going to be something going on out there "most nights" of the week.

"Some live music will get a lot of young people," Dupre said. "I think that's something that Orlando needs, because we're a young, hip town."

Upcoming Shows & Events

Here are just some of the highlights of the Dr. Phillips Center's first-year schedule. You can see all upcoming shows and events here.

FAIRWINDS BROADWAY IN ORLANDO SEASON 14/15
December 3 – December 14, 2014 The Phantom of the Opera
December 26, 2014 – January 4, 2015 The Book of Mormon
January 27 – February 1, 2015 Disney's Newsies
March 10 – March 15, 2015 Motown The Musical
April 21 – April 26, 2015 Pippin
May 12 – May 17, 2015 Disney's Beauty and the Beast
May 26 – May 31, 2015 Anything Goes
June 23 – June 28, 2015 I Love Lucy Live on Stage
JAZZ ROOTS SERIES
November 20, 2014 George on My Mind: Celebrating Ray Charles
January 16, 2015 Pink Panther 50: Tribute to Henry Mancini
February 13, 2015 An Evening with Chris Botti
April 17, 2015 A Night in Rio: Sergio Mendes
STAGE SPECTACLES
November 29, 2014 The Chocolate Nutcracker
February 16 – February 28, 2015 Slava's Snowshow
April 4, 2015 Pilobolus
FAMILY THEATER
February 14, 2015 Wild Kratts Live!
May 10, 2015 Jim Henson's Dinosaur Train Live! Buddy's Big Adventure
June 2015 Disney Junior's Chuggington Live! The Great Rescue Adventure

Many of the Broadway shows listed above are making their very first stop ever in Orlando.

A lot of the shows seem too far away, and that's why some folks jumped at getting tickets to the star-studded "Broadway & Beyond," the first big show inside the Walt Disney Theater, this Saturday, Nov. 15.

Broadway bigshot Richard Jay-Alexander cast Central Florida's own Norm Lewis, who's playing the Phantom on Broadway right now, along with nearly a dozen other familiar faces.

Grammy-winning megastar Jon Secada joined us in town for the lineup announcement in June.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the Ray Charles tribute, only because I love all of the performers involved," he said.

When we asked Secada why he wasn't on the announced roster, he replied, "It's going to happen."

Someone who did land a gig was comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who will joke about the little things in life at the Dr. Phillips Center on Jan. 17.

The Orlando Ballet is going to use the Acoustical Theater once that's built. In the meantime, shows like "The Nutcracker," "Swan Lake" and "Battle of the Sexes" will all happen in the Walt Disney Theater, sharing the theater designed for the biggest stage shows ever on tour in America.

Get Involved

So, it's the night of a show. The lights flicker twice, and you need to get to your seat. You have your wine in one hand, and you're handed a Playbill.

But wait. Think about it. It's kind of an automatic thing being given one of these. Have you ever wondered about that person who hands out the Playbill, who didn't pay a thing to get into the theater?

John Wonner, Historical Ambassador for the Dr. Phillips Center, is celebrating his 96th birthday. He's a volunteer, one of nearly 500.

"There's nothing they get back, except the reward of doing this project, honestly," said Dr. Phillips President and CEO Kathy Ramsberger.

One of the best ways to get better access than everyone you know is to become like Mr. Wooner.

There are seven different volunteer titles you can apply for at the Dr. Phillips Center, ranging from ushers and ticket scanners to greeters and program distributors.

What's cool about that is you'll get to take part in exclusive, yet-to-be-announced volunteer-based events.

Making the most of the new venue might also mean getting that "Members Only" title. A spokesman says the Dr. Phillips Center opened with more "members" than any other arts center has had at its opening, ever.

Memberships range from $75 to $10,000, but that lowest — and most realistic — price tag still gets you access to presale tickets and heads-up emails regarding special events.

About a week before the grand opening, nearly 900 members from 19 counties, seven out of state, and two from other countries — Peru and Dubai, to be specific.

So far, 20 people have bragging rights to that $10,000 Champion-level membership.

"Some of them came out of the woodwork and surprised us," said Jill Swidler, the Dr. Phillips Center's senior director of annual giving and memberships.

A third way to make the most of the Dr. Phillips Center is Arts Education. Not only will Wonner find programs he might enjoy, but your kids can, too!

Starting in January, the Dr. Phillips Center plans to offer 81 classes a week, ranging from dance and training seminars to music and theater.

You can go resister for the classes here. The Dr. Phillips Center is looking forward to seeing which classes spark the most interest.