City Board Says 1978 Downtown Orlando Bob Carr Center is a Historic Landmark

By Mark Baratelli

99% of the Bob Carr was built in 1978. The remaining 1% was built in 1926 and consists of 3 walls. While the 3 walls are historic, they can be moved. On August 3rd the City of Orlando Historic Preservation Board said the Bob Carr is "an iconic landmark in Orlando" because it's associated "with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history" and "with the lives of persons significant in our past."

However, all of the events and significant peoples' visits happened in the 99% of the original building that was demolished in 1978.

Despite these conflicting ideas, the Historic Preservation Board voted 7 to 0 in favor of recommending that City Council designate the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center (401 W. Livingston Street) as a historic landmark.

How did this happen?

#1 How does something get historic landmark status in Orlando?

The Historic Preservation Board may designate by ordinance any site, building, structure or object as an Historic Landmark only when appropriate documentation demonstrates significance in history, architecture, archaeology, engineering or culture and it possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association and:

A - That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
B - That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
C - That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or
D - That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Only one of the four criteria needs to be met for Orlando Landmark Status. These criteria are identical for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The City Staff found that the structure meets criteria A and B of section 65.720.

#2 Can I nominate something in Orlando for the board to consider for historic landmark status?

Historic Landmarks may be nominated by the Historic Preservation Board, a member of City Council, owner of the proposed landmark or an authorized agent, a government agency, any organization with vested interest in the property and a recognized interest in historic preservation, or any person.

#3 What's the history of the Bob Carr?

The building that the Bob Carr replaced has a long history. Bob Carr does not. The original building was called the Municipal Auditorium or "Muni Aud" by the locals.

In 1924, the City realized a need for an auditorium and meeting space. A special vote approved a $100,000 bond toward the purchase of land for building a municipal auditorium and a second $170,000 bond for construction and equipment.

Cruz and Parrish (architects) designed the building in a Classical Revival design. The James Paterson Construction Company built the theater with brick, steel, and concrete. It was completed in 1926. See a photo of it HERE.

Muni Aud hosted stage productions, organ recitals, beauty pageants, cooking shows, dog shows, fashion shows, Buddy Ebsen Dance recitals, speeches, graduations, Junior League follies, church meetings, and briefly served as a movie house, until complaints were made by other local movie houses. The auditorium originally had an organ, an Estey Organ, which six experts from Estey Organ Factory came to install. It took 3 freight cars to bring in the parts which included a solid mahogany case and 30-horse power motor; the largest pipe weighed 300 pounds and was 32 feet long. The organ was removed circa 1962.

By the 1950s, the City realized the Auditorium was too small and needed other adjustments including air conditioning. City leaders felt that they were missing out on larger conferences and events due to the small auditorium. The Orlando Convention Bureau was formed to assess the auditorium and determine if it could be expanded or if a new convention hall should be built. Complaints included the lack of air conditioning, inadequate restrooms, small lobby, broken switch boards too costly to repair, no room for dressing rooms or storage, lack of kitchen facilities, and poor acoustics. Both performers and attendees complained about the sound system and the heat.

For over 20 years the City would weigh and debate the options of a new location, demolishing the auditorium and rebuilding, or expanding.

#4 How much of the original building is left?

The City decided to rebuild. The original interior layout was deemed not worthy of preservation. This is why the interior today looks and feels as if it were constructed in the 1970s... because it was. According to acoustic consultant, George C. Izenour Associates, there was a unanimous decision between the owner, users, architect, and acoustic consultant “that the only thing worth saving and within the allotted funding was the architectural cubage represented by the primary structure of the existing auditorium."

So that's what was saved: the structure. No interior architecture or design. No original layout, lighting, staircases, seats, stage tools or lobby features. Everything was removed.

#5 If most of the Bob Carr does not contain the original structure, why is it being designated an historic landmark by the Board?

While the architecture of the structure has been altered extensively, the board feels that the building is an iconic landmark in Orlando.

The original façade within the building is important to the structure and city says the board, and could qualify under criteria C which is "That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values."

But, the board's main reason for the designation is A and B:

A - That is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
B - That is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
C - That embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values; or
D - That has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

And remember, they only need one of the above four to recommend a something as historic.

#6 Why is the designation needed?

There has been no final determination as to how the building will be repurposed and utilized as part of the proposed Creative Village. The board feels this uncertainty is the biggest threat to the Bob Carr Theater. The structure is considered by the Historic Preservation Board as an ideal candidate for rehabilitation or creative adaptive reuse.

#7 What if someone wants to revamp the exterior?

Landmark status would require that any exterior alterations to the building be reviewed by the HPB and a Certificate of Appropriateness issued for any proposed work.