New Entry Plaza, Welcome Center for The Mann

A bevy of improvements will create a more modern look for the beloved performing arts center

With the warm weather this week lifting the spirits of everyone I’ve come across, our mind races with thoughts of mild evenings outside. And for our money, there are few places within the city limits better to experience this than the Mann Center in Fairmount Park. The wooded environment, the open grassy areas, and the view overlooking the skyline truly create a magical experience. And while this nearly 50-year-old venue is still a treasure, the Mann Center Board decided it was time for Phase 1 of a facilities update, with their eyes on a refresh of the welcome plaza.

An aerial view of the Mann Center complex

A closer look at some of the current scenes on site

Another aerial, this time focused on the plaza area

Excitingly, the Mann Center has just submitted new plans to the Art Commission for this big-time update. Several buildings will be reimagined, include the ticket office, welcome center building, bathrooms, donor entrances, and more. Additionally, accessible parking and pathways will be added along with new lighting, creating a better experience for those getting around the site. The design from EwingCole looks pretty darn nice, with low-rise modern buildings taking on a natural color scheme, blending in nicely with the surrounding woods and landscaping that’s included throughout the site.

The reimagined site plan would require expanding the Mann’s current boundaries

A site section shows the change in grade across the plaza

The lion statues will be moves to flank the main entrance

The new approach to the main entrance

The new donor entrance emerges from a wildflower meadow

Clean, simple, and modern for the ticket center

A look at the Welcome Center

Another look at the Welcome Center, to include a gift shop, Hall of Fame, offices, and archives

Vertical wood siding and uplighting for the new bathroom building

In tandem with these changes to the built portion of the venue, there is also huge focus on the digital, experiential component. Crafted Action is leading the way here, with a focus on blending the online and in-person experiences of concert goers. With this, there will be new digital signage throughout the complex. But the biggest addition in this area is undoubtedly the massive digital wall that will grace one of the walls of the venue itself. This huge screen will display info on the site and its history, along with art in collaboration with Mural Arts. And don’t worry, this will not be visible from the surrounding neighborhood, so visual/light pollution shouldn’t be a concern.

A look at the different digital components to be added

Details of the different components of the digital experience

A Hollywood-inspired sign, overlooking the city skyline

The dynamic digital Satell Centennial Wall East adds

So, while these updates haven’t yet been heard by the Art Commission and won’t be ready in time for this year’s Roots Picnic, plans here call for this work to be complete in 2026 - in time for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration. We are most definitely stoked to see this spot get an update, and we can’t wait to once again get over there (or anywhere) to enjoy some music under the stars.