Wharton Center Announces $11 Million Upgrade at Anniversary Party

The Wharton Center is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a planned $11 million upgrade. The money will pay for a renovation of the existing building as well as a 24,000 square foot expansion.

According to excerpts from the articles:

The project will expand the Wharton Center by 24,000 square feet and renovate an additional 9,000 square feet of the existing structure, adding new space for education programs, backstage facilities for touring productions, V.I.P lounges and office space.

The announcement came from Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon at a dinner celebrating the center’s 25th anniversary.

“We’re looking at the next 25 years,” Mike Brand, Wharton’s executive director said.

Brand said his predecessors have already put $9 million in improving the center, including stage renovations and seat and carpet replacements, but this new series of improvements will take the center to another level of performance venue and educational center.

“These amenities take it to state-of-the-art for this decade,” he said.

The proposed space will give Wharton an extreme makeover, covering its existing face with a four-story facade of glass and brick.

The expansion will include an enlarged front lobby, box office and gift shop on the first floor, two additional education and reception areas on the second floor, staff offices on the third floor and new crew rooms, dressing rooms and restrooms, including what Brand says will be a “tremendous amount of women’s restrooms.”

Read the entire article here.