2030 Vision Plan
For over three decades, the Peace Center has been at the forefront of transforming Greenville, South Carolina, into a thriving community with a bustling downtown centered around arts and entertainment. In December 2019, the Board of Trustees approved a bold strategic vision with an exciting overarching goal: by or before 2030, the Peace Center will realize a fully-functioning, ten-venue arts and entertainment campus. Over the subsequent years, leadership has collaborated with local architecture firm Craig Gauldin Davis and urban planners MKSK to develop a master plan encompassing every building and bit of ground on the Peace Center's six-acre campus.
The Peace Center's 2030 Vision Plan will repurpose three historic buildings into new, mission-centric venues. In addition, enhancements will be made to other key buildings and the grounds of the Peace Center campus. Once completed, the Peace Center will further solidify Greenville as the heartbeat of the region's arts and music scene and will be a national model for develping emerging and established performing artists.
Coach Factory
The Peace Center will repurpose a historic carriage factory, utilized as a restaurant since 1991, into a 1,150-capacity, two-tiered, flat floor music and event venue. The Coach Factory will feature genres of music ranging from rock, jazz, country, and pop to rhythm and blues and electronic dance music. Coach Factory will be comparable to the Orange Peel in Asheville, The Fillmore in Charlotte, and Center Stage’s The Loft in Atlanta. One of Coach Factory’s unique features will be glass walls behind the stage that open for an indoor/outdoor concert experience with the backdrop of the Reedy River and The Pavilion.
The Mockingbird
The Peace Center has owned the Markley Building since its inception in 1990 and purchased the Gullick Building in 2012. These Main Street buildings, which have been leased to tenants until the last few years, will be merged to create one of the most unique artistic operations known to the music industry.
At street-level, the Markley and Gullick will be transformed into an intimate 250-capacity listening room and lounge: The Mockingbird. As a nod to Nashville’s famous Bluebird Cafe, The Mockingbird will feature a wide variety of up-and-coming and experienced singer/songwriters, musicians, and performers, a gorgeous bar, hardwood and tile floors, beautiful tin ceilings, and a plush lounge. Artists will perform in front of a floor-to-ceiling glass wall with the backdrop of downtown Greenville and a window into the performance for passersby walking down Main Street.
The Studio
The second floor of the Gullick will be an arts education and community engagement center featuring artist development and community spaces. The Studio will be utilized as a laboratory for students to experiment with different aspects of the performing arts as well as a space for community conversations and gatherings.
Artist Dorm
Above the listening room will be an Artist Dorm featuring three luxury hotel-style ensuites and a shared kitchen and lounge area. The Artist Dorm will be utilized by artists performing in any Peace Center venue and will be particularly attractive to those participating in residences and week-long engagements.
Huguenot Mill + Ramsaur Studio
The Peace Center has plans for a full renovation of the Huguenot Mill including the addition of a terrace off the Ramsaur Studio.
By adding these outdoor spaces, the Peace Center will provide a special area for patrons to enjoy a new front door to the Reedy River. Floor to ceiling doors and windows will lead out to the terrace. This will offer patrons attending performances at the Peace Pavilion, guests for private events, students taking classes or participating in workshops, and musicians rehearsing for the evening’s Broadway performance, an opportunity to delight in this beautiful new outdoor feature.
The Wyche, Riverwalk, + Public Gardens
The Peace Center will make many improvements and enhancements to the grounds of its campus to better celebrate the Reedy River and the beauty of our surroundings.
The Wyche will receive minor enhancements to become a multi-functional, open-air event venue on the Reedy River including interior and exterior illumination, ceiling fans and heaters, accessible pathways, and lush landscaping.
