Proposed restoration plans to the Peace Center’s iconic Wyche Pavilion into an enclosed space include: adding in glass windows + doors, a kitchen, grand foyer and meeting space. Last week, we broke down the project for you, including the history of the iconic building.
The publicity of those plans cooked up a social media storm – our Instagram post alone received 1,266 likes + 220 comments – and we had a poll which 729 of you took. With the pavilion’s history and landmark status, we wanted to know whether our readers were for or against the renovations.You had a lot to say.
Newsletter poll
Our newsletter poll received 729 votes, with 419 of you saying you liked the design (57%), compared to the 310 of you who said you want it to be left alone (42.5%)
In our inbox
We asked those in favor of the design (or who have suggestions) to reach out with their thoughts. Twenty of you responded; here’s what a few had to say:
“It is a good plan to enclose and make events more enjoyable across seasons with one request that is not to add an outdoor deck to the side: it will ruin visual symmetry with the TD stage, people dance on the lawn in that area and we don’t need more VIP areas. An alternative is to put a deck on the river side. There is 8 feet there, and if the deck need to be larger, it could cantilever over the river a bit.” - Ross M.
“I love the idea of enclosing with windows as it once was. But the extension needs redesign. It’s not different or similar enough. Just a safe in between that reads as awkward.” - Betty B.
“I think it’s a great idea. It can be used all year and will be much easier to get to. All the added facilities will make it more accessible to everyone, including guests and service people involved in the various events being held. Great example of historic preservation without tearing down and rebuilding.” - Ellie M.
“The fact that this is an open-air pavilion makes it more unique. By closing it off people will no longer take their prom pictures here, rollerskate through it, or enjoy the shade. This will take away a lot of public interest because seeing the skeleton building that anyone can walk through inspires people to cross the river and explore. The designs for the renovation are lovely though, but by putting doors on it some charm would be lost.” - Blake O.
On Facebook
Our post received 79 comments.
“It has limited use the way it is! Go ahead with the planned improvements.” – Edd S. on Facebook
“It’s too valuable a property to just leave as is, but having said that, the plan submitted is totally a flop. Not fitting for the riverfront. Not even close.” - Sally E.
“Sad day if they do this.” - Kelley S.
“Oh no! I remember going there and dancing at night with my friends. Lots of kids did.” - Kristi B.
Our Facebook poll
Our post received 9 comments, with 48% for the renovation and 52% against.
“I’m excited about having this space enclosed. I just hope we will still be free to go inside during an unexpected rainstorm.” - Marsha D.
“I agree it’s going to be a great space but I love the open aspect to it now. I love that on a pretty day, anyone can go and take pictures in it and have a beautiful backdrop, or sit in shade and eat lunch by the water but still be “outside.” That won’t be a thing if it becomes enclosed. The design is amazing, I just hate that a public “open air” space done by the water will be gone.” - Suzanne E.
“I’d rather it stayed open air. Closing it off will change the feel of some of the festivals and such that happen at the stage.” - Andi K.
On Instagram
Our Instagram post received 1,265 likes + 220 comments, with 7% for the renovation and 93% against.
“This isn’t a public space anyways it’s owned by the peace center and have been gracious enough to bequeath to public use for the recent past. Yes it would remain charming as is but the structure gets used for much more than just random sittings and light saber battles, of which don’t improve and create that much value to the city.” - turtlepower864
“This makes me very sad. This building has been iconic to Greenville for decades. You don’t find a beautiful building next to the river like this in other cities.” - wanderingsoutherner
“I understand why developers would want to utilize this space, it’s real estate gold! But NO. This is a wildly inconvenient idea. As someone that isn’t a native to this city, as someone that organizes monthly gatherings that often utilize this space, as someone that seeks shelter here during the rain, this would greatly, negatively impact the dynamics and interactivity of the riverwalk area. The openness is what draws me in, and it draws in visitors to our city as well. When I host meetups here, people from out of state always comment on how lovely it is to have such an accessible space in the heart of downtown…” - sea_of_cirque
Our Instagram poll
Our Instagram poll received 724 votes, with 49% in favor of the renovation and 51% against.
