Imagine this as the site of your next big event. Oh yea!
The Kimmel Center is about to get a serious face-lift. One that’s set to include more eco-friendly spaces, a Jose Garces restaurant, and mega-profit potential for the Philadelphia hot spot.
The renovation is said to be costing a stunning $14 million, but will be generating more interest — in and out of season — and profit in the 11-year-old venue.
Imagine being able to host your next event on the Kimmel Center roof-top. Some people have already and have gone so far as to contact the KC regarding renting it out, but until now, the space was just not compatible for a party. After this renovation, though, it will not only be compatible but perfect for a special night.
A new rooftop garden will be planted. Then the whole space will be enclosed by a glass-and-steel shell that will serve to control the previously fluctuating climate — something that made the space ultimately undesirable in the past.
Kimmel president and chief executive Anne Ewers said that, based on previous inquiries, renting out the rooftop garden could generate some $400,000 a year.
“We get about a thousand inquiries a year [to rent the space], and we could do a total of eight last year,” Ewer told Philly.com.
Another revenue-generator…a Jose Garces restaurant. The space that’s currently occupied by a gift shop (yawn) will be renovated to include a full-time Garces restaurant. At an estimated $40-$65 per person bill, the restaurant is sure to bring in the city’s finest diners.
The Garces restaurant, which will likely seat 80 to 100 guests, has yet to be named, nor has a theme for the restaurant been announced, but its operation schedule is concrete. The restaurant will be open despite the Kimmel Center schedule making it a dining staple despite the stage schedule.
“The goal over all is to create a restaurant and bar that are attractive to Kimmel Center patrons and with a broader audience in Philadelphia, to increase the use of the building,” said Architect Richard L. Maimon to Philly.com.
Well, suffice it to say that a rooftop entertainment space and a Garces restaurant will certainly attract that broader audience. Heck, maybe even a bunch of losers like us might end up there one night. Anyone got an extra invite to that rooftop, let us know!
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