Project Description
El Dorado, Arkansas has a rich history as a former oil boomtown with uniquely historic architecture, and a well-established arts and entertainment community, which includes the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the South Arkansas Arts Center, and numerous music festivals. Community leaders sought to anchor these community assets into a regional draw as a cultural performance mecca. DLR Group’s master plan and design leverages existing historic assets, including the National Register-listed Rialto Theatre, five additional legacy structures, and new construction. The resulting design strategy creates a multi-venue downtown arts and entertainment district that preserves and celebrates the unique identity of El Dorado while attracting contemporary audiences and future generations. “The master plan resurrects a dense cluster of historic buildings through the co-location of community, art, and performance venues,” explains Principal Matt Janiak, AIA, LEED AP. “Enlivening the once-forgotten intersection at Jefferson Street and Locust Street leverages synergies among venues for the community’s enrichment.” Implemented in phases, the 125,868-SF site includes a 7,000-patron festival venue/amphitheater; a 2,000-seat indoor music venue; a 100-seat black box/multi-purpose room; an 850-seat multi-use theater; a restaurant/club with a stage; a visual arts facility; a farmers’ market; a children’s activity center; a park; and considerable site improvements with new structures to support festivals. The plan re-imagines three abandoned, historic, 1920s structures, all connected at ground level by new construction. Phase 1 built out the new amphitheater and support facilities, and transformed the historic Griffin Auto Building. This dual-level, historic filling station and repair shop has been adapted as a restaurant and flat-floor, indoor music venue. Future phases will renovate the Rialto Theatre with an expanded stagehouse to host the South Arkansas Symphony, local and regional performing companies, and to serve as a presenting house for traveling shows. Featuring a flexible pit/forestage lift, the Rialto can convert into a black box. The McWilliams Building, a four-story, former furniture store/warehouse, will be adapted as a center for visual arts, artists-in-residence, arts education programs, and offices. The Trinca Building, formerly a single-story bus depot, will function as a reception space. The project utilized state and federal historic tax credits for project equity. DLR Group provided master planning, architecture, interior design, MEP and structural engineering, theater technical, audiovisual, acoustical, and IT/security services.