Project Description:

The Vilar Center is a full, three-story, underground Performing Arts Center, which showcases the May Gallery and is completely covered by a year-round, outdoor ice rink. The theater seats 517 people and was built in conjunction with Beaver Creek’s Market Square and the Beaver Creek Metro District Transportation projects.

The Vilar Center has ample back-of-house facilities to attract performers from around the world. It has an upper and lower lobby with adequate facilities to accommodate the public during intermissions as well as before and after performances. Set construction, green rooms, dressing rooms and costume repair and storage as well as a semi-sized loading area for public broadcasting is also a part of the facility. The Vilar Center is a great cultural asset for Beaver Creek and the surrounding communities.

This entire project shows great creativity in its design and also illustrates what can be accomplished when proper land planning is involved. The entire Vilar Center is cooled by a geothermal mechanical system which uses Beaver Creek as its heat sink. Thus virtually free cooling and heating is supplied. The acoustical performance is ranked among the best in the country.