A few weeks ago, Mary and I briefly told you about our lunch with Mayor Knox White. The man is a human encyclopedia, with Greenville written on the front cover.

We knew going in we were going to learn a lot + wanted to share that bit of local knowledge – starting with the Peace Center: where it started, where it is today, and what its future looks like.

Today, the Peace Center is a major landmark downtown and also the cultural center of Greenville.

Prior to the Peace Center’s existence, Greenville’s downtown was far from what it is today. In the 70’s, major downtown businesses had moved to the suburbs, like Belk, was relocated to McAlister Square in 1974 (which was a shopping mall and now houses Greenville Technical College + other education organizations). This was in the thick of suburbanization, the shift from urban centers, resulting in suburban sprawl.

Falls Park was covered up by the Camperdown Bridge, and what we know as ONE City Plaza had armed guards to walk patrons from the Bank of America building.

The idea of building the Peace Center was sparked in the 1980’s, by a mission to “further the cultural advancement, arts appreciation, and economic development in our region”. A $10 million gift donated by Bony Peace Jr. and his two brothers to the Center of Performing Arts Foundation kicked off a $42 million capital raise. With help from individuals, public-private partnerships, and the rest of the Peace family the Peace Center for the Performing Arts was brought to life in 1990.

In 2010, the Peace Center launched plans for a new $23 million renovation which included adding the staples we know today: The TD Stage, Graham Plaza, Genevieve’s, and the expanded concert hall lobby.

Construction of the TD Stage circa 2012 - by Mike Nice, GreenvilleDailyPhoto.com

Fast forward to today: The Peace Center brings in more than 380,000 people per year, which generates $35 million in economic activity.

The Peace Center is now working on a fundraising campaign to help with upgrades inside the Peace Center Hall such as new theatre seats (to replace the originals, installed back in 1990).

Provided by Summerour and Associates Architects via Greenville Journal

The rendering above is an “on-paper conversation” which outlines potential future projects such as:

Putting glass windows in the Wyche Pavilion
Making the Graham Plaza more green with a grassy area
Moving the box office to the front of the Graham Plaza

And even a two-story terrace on the former Roe Coach Factory (horse carriages, not handbags) which is now Larkin’s on the River

The Peace Center has had a major impact on Greenville and we’re thankful to early movers like them for betting on downtown.

We look forward to bringing you more stories about downtown and if you have your own, please don’t hesitate to share them with us.

Happy Thursday, Greenville.

– Logan