Dallas Center for the Performing Arts

Construction has begun on a new multi-venue performing arts center for music, opera, theater and dance that will include the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House and Annette Strauss Artist Square, both designed by Foster and Partners, the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, co-designed by Pritzker Award-winning architect Rem Koolhaas (OMA) and Joshua Prince-Ramus (REX), and City Performance Hall, designed by Skidmore Owings Merrill. The four venues will be woven together by a new Performance Park covering more than ten acres, which will unify the buildings and create a dynamic cultural destination in downtown Dallas.

http://urbandallas.us/images/PerformancePark-1.jpg

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http://urbandallas.us/images/performance_park_05.jpg

Buetiful cant wait whennil it be done

I hope it looks better in real life. The model looks like its going to be a gigantic Exxon station. Is Exxon the largest donor? I think Nashville really beat Dallas on this one.

I definitely agree... this rendering is not very attractive at all in my opinion. It looks like a shiny red trash can on top. Just my opinion no offense.

i really like the model and i cant wait until this is all built! the red pops out so i like that!

I don't like it at all. Nashville's looks much better.

looks mediocre for a city that has the stature of Dallas. How much are they spending on this?

^ $275 Million

^ $275 Million

World's most expensive gas station

can't judge a book by it's cover. let's wait until we see the interior before we just throw this one to the side.

i love this plan. dallas has really stepped up its game; this is a world-class complex, and i love the calatrava bridge being built there. (unrelated)

what is what? i'm assuming the red gas station will be the opera house, but what's the glass box? (i like the gas station though, i just found that moniker to be pretty funny even if a little condescending)

http://www.dallasperformingarts.org/images/DCPAF_Winspear_Opera_House_Foster.jpg

More of Winspear Opera House...

http://www.*************/architects/foster/winspear/1foster.jpg

http://www.*************/architects/foster/winspear/2foster.jpg

http://www.*************/architects/foster/winspear/3foster.jpg

http://www.*************/architects/foster/winspear/5foster.jpg

http://www.*************/architects/foster/winspear/4foster.jpg

it's a world-class facility

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2188/2071903361_30d506a017_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12570373@N06/2071903361/)
dallas center for performing arts & opera house_11-27-07 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12570373@N06/2071903361/) by demforlife (http://www.flickr.com/people/12570373@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3341/3220906409_450d198d57_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelahunt/3220906409/)
2008.01.10 - Opera House Topping Out Ceremony (http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelahunt/3220906409/) by Angela Hunt (http://www.flickr.com/people/angelahunt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3422/3220906317_e619c936ea_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelahunt/3220906317/)
2008.01.10 - Opera House Topping Out Ceremony (http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelahunt/3220906317/) by Angela Hunt (http://www.flickr.com/people/angelahunt/), on Flickr

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2087/2090399808_6db5221025_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eartotherail/2090399808/)
Dallas Center for the Performing Arts (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eartotherail/2090399808/) by eartotherailfotos (http://www.flickr.com/people/eartotherail/), on Flickr


Here's a recent fly-through video of the project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvkonDJSXkk

And construction cams can be found here:
http://www.dallasperformingarts.org/

What a faddish design. This will be world class, and cutting edge! Just not after a few decades..

ehhh. Its nothing great and on the verge of just ugly.

The Winspear could have been a LOT better if they just went with more of a Romanesque look instead of forcing ultra-modern design. On a THEATER.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5366/img0236gf9.jpg

I absolutely despise the glass surrounding the theater in this rendering:

http://www.*************/architects/foster/winspear/1foster.jpg

If they just got rid of all the glass casing and the glass overhang then we'd be talkin.

The Winspear could have been a LOT better if they just went with more of a Romanesque look instead of forcing ultra-modern design. On a THEATER.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5366/img0236gf9.jpg

I absolutely despise the glass surrounding the theater in this rendering:

http://www.*************/architects/foster/winspear/1foster.jpg

If they just got rid of all the glass casing and the glass overhang then we'd be talkin.

It looks like a gigantic Exxon station, but I'm withholding judgement to it is actually built.

this is a beautiful project. it will be a great addition to my hometown!

wow, check out all the haters that dont want to think outside the box.

This is an amazing project and with on 5 years, when you are standing in Woodall Rogers Deck Park and looking, you will be with in less then a mile of 4 buildings designed by award winning and internationally acclaimed architects.

Maybe the "haters" have an opinion and don't like the design. Who cares? I personally don't think it is that bad, but to each his own.

It is real nice from ground level. Very nice inside.

The top looks so-so. Maybe if they had made it look glassy. Instead of a dull color.


The Kansas City art centre... looks like what I would imagine a hindu temple woud look like. I think it will look good from the front.

"Dallas Arts District poised to rival Lincoln Center in art, architecture" - The Dallas Morning News

The Wyly Theatre (Designed by REX/OMA, Joshua Prince-Ramus and Rem Koolhaas)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/4024949340_2679bb0dc2.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/4024949340_f545bd2f11_o.jpg)

The Winspear Opera House (Designed by Foster & Partners)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/4024194773_d2226ed222.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/4024194773_ebbfacaa25_o.jpg)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/4024197527_193ae409ab.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3482/4024197527_ca1db5d243_o.jpg)

The Nasher Sculpture Center (Designed by Renzo Piano)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/4024318561_e7817eb876.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/4024318561_c10e25d47a_o.jpg)

The Myerson Symphony Center (designed by I.M. Pei)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4024953030_fd9613ddf9.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/4024953030_5260cf32a9_o.jpg)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/4024952018_84ba69d2e7.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3483/4024952018_b9a18a7292_o.jpg)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/4024195497_04236d98cf.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/4024195497_2e2a5e5407_o.jpg)

NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/arts/design/15dallas.html?_r=1

it was a mixed review. I like the Wyly more then the writer did.

LOVE the new Performing Arts Center. It's not without its critics though..

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/06/jeez_somebody_really_doesnt_li.php

"Have a look at Dallas's biggest-most expensive-in-the-world arts project floating in a gray sea of concrete and weep over the brutal exercise of power and wealth that is high culture when wielded by the big hands of Texas oil men and Enron ex-cons. (Here's the Dallas project.) But shed your bitterest tears for this apocalyptic vision of "urban" life and design, two malls -- one cultural the other "traditional' -- divided by an eight-lane freeway; parking lots and roads, deadly to cross by foot, close its borders, everywhere strips of sprawling mayhem.

Where the Arabs and Asians race to build the highest skyscraper, the Texans favor the horizontal for their open-range cultural ambitions. They flout the billion-dollar price tag and their usual-suspect, dream-team of architects -- Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, and Rem Koolhaas -- with the subtlety of a Longhorn bull mounting a comely heifer."

Word of Advise from someone who lives in Dallas.... DONT READ THE OBSERVER TO GET YOUR OPINION OF DALLAS. That magazine lives off being negative.

The negative opinion, which is freaking hilarious, wasn't from the Observer (clearly).. it was published by a Cornell professor.

While I'm not really a fan of the Wyly Theater (at least from the rendering), I can appreciate the variety in architecture. The opera house in particular looks like an oversized, futuristic gas station but I really dig it.

The opera house in particular looks like an oversized, futuristic gas station but I really dig it.[/QUOTE]

Ha! I couldn't quite put my finger on it but you nailed it! For all the starchitectural firepower here, the results are just meh. One look at Daniel Liebeskinds Denver Museum of Art addition and you'll see why the Big D should demand her money back!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

The opera house in particular looks like an oversized, futuristic gas station but I really dig it.

Ha! I couldn't quite put my finger on it but you nailed it! For all the starchitectural firepower here, the results are just meh. One look at Daniel Liebeskinds Denver Museum of Art addition and you'll see why the Big D should demand her money back!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

I disagree. Liebeskind is cool, it also reminds me of a lot of buildings in Minneapolis and Cleveland. Dallas' arts complex is a very unique design that it can be proud of. It's also a very inspirational, open design.

Photos by Ninjatune:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4031499906_849742dd41.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031499906/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/4031501636_d10f6cf1ff.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031501636/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/4031501050_cb5abee2b0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031501050/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/4030746237_d4eb5d1d87.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4030746237/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2770/4030745887_43c057a894.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4030745887/)

(BTW)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4031499572_d58412a547.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031499572/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/4031499382_f99ed97f35.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031499382/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4031499180_33257f190f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031499180/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/4031498968_21f128e04d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031498968/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2461/4030744433_0605ca8491.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4030744433/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/4030744215_4ce92ab55c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4030744215/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/4031498460_fdf4e14c64.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031498460/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2691/4031498146_a0bea5fe49.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninjatune/4031498146/)

^ Yep, he's better!

The interiors are even cooler.

STOP POSTING NINJATUNES PHOTOS BEFORE ME!!!!!

great shots arnt they?

so if I can ask..how are reactions on the Wyly theatre...
its over there now for some years..
does it work? the flexibility, mulitfuncionality?

is it a nice theatre? do they use the flexibilaty?

thanks in advance

^ I think the theater is great, and it's amazing how many configurations they can change the space to accommodate (I've never seen it the same twice). The landscaping gets some bad criticism, but the building recently won another award: http://www.aisc.org/newsdetail.aspx?id=26600

SOM's City Performance Hall is getting further along, too (not officially part of the AT&T PAC, but next to it).

http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/4994/pa2j.jpg

Strauss Artist Square, the last piece of the AT&T Performing Arts Center, finally openend in September:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5103082198_fb9123e5bc.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Strauss_Squarehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_Strauss_Square

LOVE the new Performing Arts Center. It's not without its critics though..

http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2009/06/jeez_somebody_really_doesnt_li.php

"Have a look at Dallas's biggest-most expensive-in-the-world arts project floating in a gray sea of concrete and weep over the brutal exercise of power and wealth that is high culture when wielded by the big hands of Texas oil men and Enron ex-cons. (Here's the Dallas project.) But shed your bitterest tears for this apocalyptic vision of "urban" life and design, two malls -- one cultural the other "traditional' -- divided by an eight-lane freeway; parking lots and roads, deadly to cross by foot, close its borders, everywhere strips of sprawling mayhem.

Where the Arabs and Asians race to build the highest skyscraper, the Texans favor the horizontal for their open-range cultural ambitions. They flout the billion-dollar price tag and their usual-suspect, dream-team of architects -- Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, and Rem Koolhaas -- with the subtlety of a Longhorn bull mounting a comely heifer."

The Arts District might be impressive to some outright, but it has to be impressive to all in regards to how it has become the most important transitional piece in connecting one urban area to another, with these being downtown Dallas to Uptown Dallas, while, at the same time, locating it dead center in the prime real estate of Central Dallas! In fifteen years, the city of Dallas has created its DART Lightrail, developed its area of Uptown, recovered condemned property and converted it into the Victory Park development, and created the Katy Trail with all of these developments being important transitions in bringing downtown and Uptown together. The Katy Trail mirrors the already established Turtle Creek Park trail for much of its way which has long been a classic. Now, at ground zero within this prime area, a park is being built over the submerged part of Woodall Rogers Freeway and sitting in front of that is a new centerpiece forty-two story condominium called the Museum Tower.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6688472487_4b0ae1c613_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j0n6/6688472487/)
Dallas, Winspear yarn bombing N01 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j0n6/6688472487/) by J0N6 (http://www.flickr.com/people/j0n6/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6688472693_062ab40f17_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j0n6/6688472693/)
Dallas, Winspear yarn bombing N03 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j0n6/6688472693/) by J0N6 (http://www.flickr.com/people/j0n6/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2124/5700930913_5f8ec7bdc8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34734039@N04/5700930913/)
Winspear Opera House at Night (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34734039@N04/5700930913/) by JSsocal (http://www.flickr.com/people/34734039@N04/), on Flickr

The Dallas Ats District 2013

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8644784852_24e240e479_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstephen/8644784852/)
Largest Concentration of Pritzker Award Architecture in the World - Dallas Art's District from Above (http://www.flickr.com/photos/markstephen/8644784852/) by Mark Carroll Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/markstephen/), on Flickr