S U M M A R Y
Agenda Item Summary
H I S T O R I C P R E S E RVAT I O N B OA R D
Location Map Subject Location
Project Description
The applicant is requesting landmark designa-
tion for the property.
Background
The facility is located at 401 W. Livingston
Street and is zoned PD/T/PH and is within
the review jurisdiction of the Appearance
Review Board (ARB).
The Municipal Auditorium was constructed
in 1926.
Reopened in current form in 1978 as the
Mayor Bob Carr Performing Arts Center.
Property is being nominated for Landmark
Status under categories a and b.
Public Comment
Courtesy notices were mailed to nearby prop-
erty owners on July 15, 2016. As of July 27,
2016, staff had received no inquiries from the
public.
A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 1 6
Case Number
HPB2016-00148
Applicant
City of Orlando, Historic Pres-
ervation Office
Property Location
401 W. Livingston Street
(District 5)
Requested Action
The applicant is requesting
Orlando Historic Landmark
Status for the structure at
401 W. Livingston Street,
historically known as the
Municipal Auditorium/
Mayor Bob Carr Theater
(built 1926).
Recommendation
Approval of request above,
as the property meets the
criteria for Orlando Historic
Landmark status.
Project Planner
Richard Forbes
Updated: July 28, 2016
A G E N DA I T E M 7 401 W E S T L I V I N G S T O N S T R E E T - B O B C A R R
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P RO P E R T Y H I S T O RY A N D A N A LY S I S
Case Number HPB2016 -00148 August 3 , 2016
Section 65.720, Designation of
Historic Landmarks
The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any site, building, structure or object as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and: (a) That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (b) That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or (c) That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or (d) That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Nomination. Historic Landmarks may be nominated by the Historic Preservation Board, a member of City Council, owner of the proposed landmark or an authorized agent, a government agency, any organization with vested interest in the property and a recognized interest in historic preservation, or any person. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25102; Ord. of 6-20-1994, Doc. #27635)
The property known today as The Mayor Bob Carr Theater and located at 401 West
Livingston Street has been nominated for Orlando Landmark status under criteria
categories (a) and (b).
Timeline:
1920s: “During the 1920s a great building boom aided in Orlando’s continuing prosperity,
evidenced by the opening of the Orlando Public Library in 1923 and the Municipal Audito-
rium in 1926” (Scotty Moore)
1924: On October 4, 1924, voters approved a $100,000 bond issue for the city auditorium
but turned down the appropriation for the $25,000 pipe organ. (Bacon, Vol. 1 343-49)
The Auditorium was constructed for approximately $175,000 on land that was originally
owned by Orange County and reserved for the annual Orange County Fair, as well as other
events. The land became too valuable for that use as the City grew and it was purchased
by the City. (Moore)
1925: Multiple complaints that the City will lose out on Florida events. Council under Mayor
Giles brought motion for “Bonds for the purpose of acquiring real estate for auditorium
purposes” which carried unanimously (The Florida Sun, 1925)
On May 26, 1925, at a special election, the voters chose the Fairgrounds at Exposition
Park as the site of the City Auditorium and on July 14 approved a $170,000 bond issue for
the building and equipment. (Bacon, Vol. 1 343-49)( Including the Estes Pipe Organ)
On November 28, 1925, the Peterson Construction Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota
received the $128,000 contract to build the City Auditorium at the Fair Grounds. JJ Kates
was awarded the plumbing contract for $10,250, and Johnson Electric Company the wiring
contract at $6,449.40 (Bacon)
1926: Orlando Municipal Auditorium, later Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, is built for
$175,000.
1950: The Florida Symphony began playing their subscription series
1954: Bond issues failed in a vote to add air-conditioning due to a lack of voter turn-out
1955: Elvis performed at the Auditorium in Orlando for the first of three times on May 11,
1955 (Scotty Moore). Also played July 1955 and finally as the main act in two perform-
ances August 8, 1956; an estimated 6,500 attended the two shows. Andy Griffith Show
played July 26-27 1955 with Marty Robbins, Ferlin Husky, Elvis Presley, Tommy Collins
and Glenn Reeves
1956: Local Article-“City goal to expand or build new auditorium
Current Condition
Section 65.720, Designation of
Historic Landmarks
Page 3
L A N D M A R K A N A LY S I S
Case Number HPB2016 -00148 August 3 , 2016
1962: A front-page Orlando Sentinel editorial calls for a new arts center
1974: In 1974, the Orlando Central City Neighborhood Development Board decided to reexamine
the Municipal Auditorium and investigate a possible renovation that would transform the facility
into a top-notch theater and concert hall. City Council agreed and construction began in fall of
1975
1978: it was renamed Bob Carr Municipal Auditorium after a two-year, $2.3 million remodeling
project. It honored Carr who was Mayor of Orlando when the idea of the renewed auditorium was
originally developed.
General History:
In 1924, the City realized a need for an auditorium and meeting space. A special vote ap-
proved a $100,000 bond toward the purchase of land for building a municipal auditorium
and a second $170,000 bond for construction and equipment. Cruz and Parrish, Architects
designed the building in a Classical Revival design. The James Paterson Construction Com-
pany built the theater with brick, steel, and concrete. Completed in 1926, The Municipal
Auditorium hosted stage productions, organ recitals, beauty pageants, cooking shows, dog
shows, fashion shows, Buddy Ebsen Dance recitals, speeches, graduations, Junior League
follies, church meetings, and briefly served as a movie house, until complaints were made
by other local movie houses. The auditorium opened with an Estey Organ, which six experts
from Estey Organ Factory came to install. It took 3 freight cars to bring in the parts which
included a solid mahogany case and 30-horse power motor; the largest pipe weighed 300
pounds and was 32 feet long. The organ was removed circa 1962.
During World War II, the City turned the Municipal Auditorium over to its service men twice a
month for dances. The Municipal Auditorium housed the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra,
Orlando Opera, and the Orlando Ballet. Other notable performers included Elvis Presley,
Andy Griffin, Liberace, Nelson Eddy, Grace Moore, and the Florida Theatrical Association.
Elvis performed at the Auditorium in Orlando for the first of three times on May 11, 1955
(Scotty Moore). – Also played July 1955 and finally as the main act in two performances
August 8, 1956; an estimated 6,500 attended the two shows. Andy Griffith Show played
July 26-27 1955 with Marty Robbins, Ferlin Husky, Elvis Presley, Tommy Collins and Glenn
Reeves
By the 1950s, the City realized the Auditorium was too small and needed other adjustments
including air conditioning. City leaders felt that they were missing out on larger conferences
and events due to the small auditorium. The Orlando Convention Bureau was formed to
assess the auditorium and determine if it could be expanded or if a new convention should
be built. Complaints included the lack of air-conditioning, inadequate restrooms, the small
lobby, broken switch boards too costly to repair, no room for dressing rooms or storage, lack
of kitchen facilities, and poor acoustics. Both performers and attendees complained about
the sound system and the heat. For over 20 years the City would weigh and debate the op-
tions of a new location, demolishing the auditorium and rebuilding, or expanding.
In 1974, the Orlando Central City Neighborhood Development Board decided to reexamine
the Municipal Auditorium to determine if the facility could be transformed into a top-notch
theater and concert hall. City Council agreed to the modest budget of $2.2 million to reno-
vate the auditorium, as opposed to building a new structure. Led by local architect, Tom
Price, the renovation began in 1975. The project included gutting the interior, installing
every-other row seating, increasing leg room, improving technical equipment, and an acous-
tical shell for orchestral performances was put into place. The most significant alteration
was the exterior glass shell which enclosed the original brick façade. The glass shell was
considered to honor and preserve the theater’s rich past while elevating it to a more con-
temporary style. The Design Team determined that the original interior layout, which re-
sulted in 320 “blind seats” blocked by poles and contributed to the poor acoustics, was not
The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any site, building, structure or object as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and: (a) That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (b) That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or (c) That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or (d) That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Nomination. Historic Landmarks may be nominated by the Historic Preservation Board, a member of City Council, owner of the proposed landmark or an authorized agent, a government agency, any organization with vested interest in the property and a recognized interest in historic preservation, or any person. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25102; Ord. of 6-20-1994, Doc. #27635)
Section 65.720, Designation of
Historic Landmarks
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L A N D M A R K A N A LY S I S
Case Number HPB2016 -00148 August 3 , 2016
worthy of preservation. According to acoustic consultant, George C. Izenour Associates,
there was a unanimous decision between the owner, users, architect, and acoustic consult-
ant “that the only thing worth saving and within the allotted funding was the architectural
cubage represented by the primary structure of the existing auditorium”. The expansion
included a sonically live concert hall-theater, completely reconstructed stage house, power-
operated ceiling cantilevered side walled acoustical shell, orchestra pit-stage apron lift,
new theatrical rigging and lighting systems, expanded technical backstage spaces, a re-
hearsal hall, and the expanded glassed-in lobby which retained the original façade. Overall,
the theater renovation was well received and as the Sentinel Star reported “the surround-
ing building (did not have) a regrettable effect”. In 1978, it was renamed the Bob Carr Per-
forming Arts Center.
These improvements shifted the focus of the facility to musical and theater productions. In
May 1978, the same month as the grand opening of the Bob Carr Theater, Orange County
approved and began collecting the Tourist Development Tax which would be used to con-
struct a separate convention center. The Orange County Convention Center opened in Feb-
ruary 1983 to serve the large conventions and as the primary local meeting space. In
1987, another push to replace the Bob Carr Theater began. In 1989, Mayor Bill Frederick
called for a new arts center but the effort failed to gain traction. In 1991, a half-million dol-
lar renovation was approved to reupholster the seats, replace the stage curtain, paint the
interior halls, add new carpet and update the bathrooms and dressing rooms. More work
was proposed in 1993 to the backstage areas and framework from which the set pieces
are suspended. An Orlando Sentinel article in 1994, “Performing Arts Center being re-
habbed but cosmetic changes won’t help its poor acoustics” addressed the continued com-
plaints about the theater’s poor acoustics despite multiple renovations. In 2007, the City
and County leaders approved a $1.1 billion downtown-venues plan that included a new arts
center. In 2011, construction began on the new Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
which opened in 2014. The site of the Bob Carr Theater is now within the area of the pro-
posed Creative Village. There has been no final determination as to how the building will
be repurposed and utilized as part of the proposed Creative Village. This uncertainty is the
biggest threat to the Bob Carr Theater. The structure is an ideal candidate for rehabilitation
or creative adaptive reuse for a new purpose.
The Municipal Auditorium/Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre is a significant part of Orlando’s
history. It served as Orlando’s performing arts center during the city’s most rapid growth
periods and served its growing need for entertainment, meeting spaces, and community
events. The building was continuously altered, expanded, and upgraded with modern tech-
nologies such as sound equipment, air-conditioning, and theater-rigging to keep up with
modern stage and concert productions, as well as, for the comfort and theater-going experi-
ence of its patrons. These alterations include a glass shell that preserves the original clas-
sical façade. Many of the original window openings on the west and east side of the struc-
ture were filled in with similar brick. Additional fly space was also added to the rear of audi-
torium above the stage. Parts of the original brick hexagonal shaped buildings are still visi-
ble. While the architecture of the structure has been altered extensively, the building is an
iconic landmark in Orlando. The structure is significant under criteria a and b. The original
façade with in the building is important to the structure and city and could qualify under
criteria c.
Landmark status would require that any exterior alterations to the building be reviewed by
the HPB and a Certificate of Appropriateness issued for any proposed work.
Staff Recommendation:
The property is significant for the history, culture, and association with significant people and events
in Orlando’s past. The building meets the criteria a and b in Section 65.720 and is eligible to be an
Orlando Historic Landmark.
The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any site, building, structure or object as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and: (a) That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (b) That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or (c) That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or (d) That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Nomination. Historic Landmarks may be nominated by the Historic Preservation Board, a member of City Council, owner of the proposed landmark or an authorized agent, a government agency, any organization with vested interest in the property and a recognized interest in historic preservation, or any person. (Ord. of 9-16-1991, Doc. #25102; Ord. of 6-20-1994, Doc. #27635)
Section 65.720, Designation of
Historic Landmarks
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S A N B O R N F I R E I N S U R A N C E M A P C I R C A 1 956
Case Number HPB2016 -00148 August 3 , 2016
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S I T E P H O T O S
Case Number HPB2016 -00148 August 3 , 2016
West Side of Building
Fly Space Addition from Side Entry Area
General View
Rear of Fly Space Addition West Side of Building Showing brick filled windows
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H I S T O R I C IM AG E S
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P H O T O S
C O N S T R U C T I O N P H O T O O F A D D I T I O N C I R C A 1 9 7 7
Early Photo-Date Unknown
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P O S T C A R D C I RC A 1978
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H I S T O R I C OP E N I N G AN N O U N C E M E N T S
1927 1978