The George Street entrance; the 12 exterior pilaster capitals were hand-carved by the artisans of Bybee Stone Company of Bloomington, Indiana, which sourced the 1,500 tons of Indiana limestone used in the project.
The Performance Hall was designed by world-renowned David M. Schwartz Architects of Washington, D.C., with acoustical engineering by Akustiks, LLC, and theater consultation by Fisher Dachs Associates of New York.
The neoclassical Gaillard Center and its centerpiece Performance Hall are modeled after the great European concert halls, with an orchestra level surrounded by three balcony tiers.
Every element of the 1,800-seat (with comfy mohair cushioning) hall was designed to enhance acoustics and audience experience, including the custom-made orchestra shell with adjustable ceiling and side panels to direct sound into the auditorium.
Local iconography was incorporated throughout, including a custom palmetto ironwork lattice fronting a deep indigo background masking the top-tier adjustable acoustical chambers.
... as well as the column designs.
The artful weave of Charleston sweetgrass baskets inspired the inlaid wood pattern of aisle-facing seats...
All in the Details From ornate ceilings to sweeping stairwells to a Lowcountry-inspired palette of coral, dusty blue, soft green, and taupe, the Gaillard Center’s interiors announce “wow!” The soaring two-story lobby makes a grand first impression, featuring columns crowned by the Gaillard’s signature palmetto, crescent moon, jasmine flower, and musical note motif (designed by Steven Knight of the Schwartz team). The interior pilaster capitals are custom molded.
Base and treble clef notes inspired the railing designs, with much of the millwork sourced locally.
Detail of the Gaillard’s signature palmetto, crescent moon, jasmine flower, and musical note motif designed by Steven Knight of the Schwartz team.
Galas & Groups Galore Long gone is the “welcome to the basement” feel of the old Gaillard Exhibition Hall. Now, there are elegant gathering spaces for celebrations of all sorts. The new ground-floor portion of the Exhibition Hall is about one-third larger than its predecessor. The Grand Ballroom comprises three partitioned and acoustically controlled sections (approximately 4,200 square feet each), allowing for flexible configuration, as well as pre-function spaces, kitchen and service facilities, four salons, and a 7,500-square-foot terrace.
The elegant Gallery, Dress Circle, and Upper Grand lobbies offer additional event space, and the Founders Hall, reserved exclusively for major donors, will host distinctive private receptions and functions.
