Center in the Square restoration will usher in a new era of excitement and growth

Since its creation in 1983, Center in the Square has been recognized as a foundation of Roanoke’s economic revitalization and a cornerstone of downtown culture. Now, 25 years later it is steadfastly holding on to that reputation as it generates renewed excitement surrounding the renovation and restoration of one of our area’s most beloved buildings.

Earlier in my career, I was lucky enough to be involved with the design team that worked on Center in the Square as part of Design ’79. It was an honor at the time, and it is an even greater honor now to find myself affiliated with the restoration of such an important building and client.

Any architect will tell you, there is a unique perk to ourprofession — our dreams on paper are transformed into striking realities that we are fortunate to see come to fruition. Those of us at Spectrum Design drive by many of downtown Roanoke’s most recognizable buildings — such as the Roanoke Higher Education Center, the O. Winston Link Museum and the State & City Building — with a great sense of pride knowing we contributed to the beauty and vitality of our city.

Center in the Square offers that same sense of pride for us as architects. But that sense shouldalso well up in every Roanoker. Through the organizations and activities it supports, it has played a key role in helping Roanoke achieve long-term economic stability and develop the city’s vibrant character. Now, Center in the Square is ushering in a new era of economic growth from which an entirely new generation will benefit.

It is almost cliche at this point to say that times are tough everywhere. But Roanoke continues to uphold high standards for growth, prosperity and innovation. We, as citizens of the Roanoke Valley, have a responsibility to uphold the history that has brought us to this point and consider our history when planning for the community’s future.

A restored Center in the Square will be a symbol of how far Roanoke has come, and where we plan to go. Roanoke’s most unique and endearing qualities are found in the architecture that makes up our city — we are a city of beautiful historic buildings that each tell a story of where Roanoke has been. With every restoration and repair, we are paying homage to a rich history while writing the next chapter in that story.

At Spectrum Design, we have worked tirelessly to capture this paradigm for Center in the Square by marrying a respect for the past with innovative features that will be unlike anything along the East Coast. We are returning a nearly 100-year-old building to its original design, restoring many of the original architectural features that have been lost over time, such as the original cornices, 15-foot window conditions and first floor transoms. At the same time, stateof- the-art energy saving design and technology will move Center in the Square forward as a LEEDcertified facility and maintain it for generations to come. From the 5,000-gallon living reef aquarium in the lobby to the stunning new rooftop, with its two-story glass butterfly habitat, technology garden and living wall, to everything in between, Center in the Square will attract visitors from across the region as a destination attaction and anchor of downtown activity.

Center in the Square embodies what makes Roanoke stand out, and it has truly been a privilege to help move it, and our city, forward.

(David Bandy is a principal, vice president/director of design for Spectrum Design.)