Wyche Pavilion structural, site changes deferred by Greenville city Design Review Board
Development at the historic Wyche Pavilion is delayed as an application to add metal screening to the windowsills and various property alterations was deferred by the city's Design Review Board at an April 18 meeting.
The decision comes after MKSK, a design and architecture firm, submitted a proposal to the board on Feb. 5 asking to make additional structural and site changes to the windowsills, add steel mesh infill to the flooring, change lighting, remove the North entrance and staircase, and make various curb appeal revisions.
The planning staff report mentions additional proposed site modifications, including removing existing trees, adding riverfront seating, and reconfiguring walkways to the property at 20 Japanese Dogwood Lane.
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About the changes to the Wyche Pavilion
The proposal submitted to the design board calls for structural modifications, including decorative metal gates to surround the windowsill, landscaping changes, and the removal of trees and benches.
There were eight recommendations for approval of the request with specific conditions from the document submitted on April 5.
According to the planning staff report, the denial of the proposed screening was due to the failure to follow the guidelines set by the Downtown Design Guidelines and Preservation Guidelines. In the past, the structure has a historic use as an open-air pavilion providing 24/7 access to the public, a unique and defining feature of downtown Greenville.
The recommendation also adds that any area outside the pavilion shall be allowed based on an approved lease or maintenance agreement currently being reviewed by the city administration.
The Greenville News contacted the Peace Center for additional comments on the deferral decision, but no statement was made available.
What is the Wyche Pavilion
The historic brick pavilion, which sits along the Reedy River, was built in 1904 and originally began as the Markley Carriage Paint Factory. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 to preserve the 19th and early 20th-century industrial commercial district structure.
The building was renovated to accommodate Duke's mayonnaise factory in 1922. It had been vacant since 1958 until it was purchased by the Peace Center in 1990. The Peace Center uses the venue for smaller events, including music and entertainment.
In January 2019, the Peace Center announced plans to restore and expand the Wyche Pavilion, creating a performance and event space connecting to Falls Park.
In 2022, they announced upgrades are part of the upcoming renovation to the entire Peace Center campus by 2029 — repurposing three buildings on its campus for a music club, an "intimate listening room," a podcast and recording studio, and an artist dorm known as A Music Project which will run along the east side of the Peace Center amphitheater.
The next Design Review Board meeting takes place on Thursday, May 16.
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– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Wyche Pavilion changes deferred by Greenville city design review board
