The Atlanta Opera to build new arts center along Beltline | EarRelevant

The new facility, set to open by 2027, will serve as the permanent home for the world-renowned opera company and feature a state-of-the-art recital hall

EarRelevant Staff | 23 SEP 2024

ATLANTA, Georgia— The Atlanta Opera has announced plans to establish a new arts center on the historic Bobby Jones Clubhouse site along the Atlanta Beltline. Set for completion by summer 2027, the project will transform the 17,000-square-foot clubhouse into a 56,000-square-foot facility designed to serve as the permanent home for the internationally recognized opera company.

The new arts center will include a 200-seat recital hall, rehearsal and administrative spaces, a film studio, and a costume shop, among other amenities. In addition to supporting the Opera’s productions, the facility will host a variety of performances, including jazz, cabaret, chamber operas, and lectures, further integrating the arts into the community.

Tomer Zvulun, general and artistic director of The Atlanta Opera, emphasized the importance of the new space. “This permanent home will serve as a source of creativity for both local and visiting musicians, positioning us to better engage audiences and collaborators across the city and beyond,” said Zvulun.

The $45 million project is a significant part of the Opera’s recently launched $110 million fundraising campaign. Core funding has already been secured, with further donor announcements, including title naming rights, expected soon. Architectural firm Post Loyal, led by Allen Post, is spearheading the design, with plans to restore the clubhouse’s exterior and seamlessly blend the facility with the surrounding neighborhood. The complex will be flanked by the Atlanta Beltline, providing direct community access to the arts.

While The Atlanta Opera will continue staging its main productions at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, this new center will offer a state-of-the-art facility to enrich the city’s cultural landscape. Rhys Wilson, chair of the Opera’s board, highlighted the organization’s strong management and financial health, noting that it successfully presented live performances during the pandemic and has maintained a balanced budget for the past eight years. “The open and welcoming design of this building reflects our commitment to making music accessible to all,” Wilson said.

The Atlanta Opera’s current headquarters, located off Northside Drive, has become insufficient for the company’s growing needs, with rehearsal spaces doubling as storage areas. The new center on the Beltline will provide a more suitable and inspiring environment for its performers.

Situated on 4.7 acres of green space, the arts center will be the first of its kind on the 22-mile Beltline loop, which connects numerous neighborhoods, parks, and cultural sites. The project aims to not only serve the Opera’s artistic needs but also enhance Atlanta’s vibrant artistic community.

The Atlanta Opera is working closely with local organizations such as the Haynes Manor Foundation, Peachtree Battle Alliance, and Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy to ensure the project aligns with community interests. The arts center is expected to be a major asset to both the opera company and the city, fostering creativity and collaboration for years to come. ■

Design Illustrations:

Perspective as seen from driveway. (Post Loyal / courtesy of The Atlanta Opera)

Perspective as seen from Woodward Way. (Post Loyal / courtesy of The Atlanta Opera)

Interior: Recital Hall. (Post Loyal / courtesy of The Atlanta Opera)

EXTERNAL LINKS:

The Atlanta Opera: atlantaopera.org

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