Welcoming Exhibitions
Curated and rotating contemporary art installations produce galleries in the lobby, ballroom and the hotel’s pre-function space, restaurant, meeting rooms and circulation spaces. Other than times when the ballroom or meeting rooms are in use, the hotel’s 10,000 square feet of exhibition space is free of charge and open to the public 24 hours a day.
21c’s overarching objective is to forge connections between people and cutting-edge art. Although some of the pieces can be provocative, a friendly staff and the deliberate selection of comfortable furnishings make the spaces inviting. The public can lounge on the furniture or have a snack at the bar while viewing the installations. “It’s an unconventional way to experience art,” Schroeder says. “Exploration and playfulness is an important part of 21c’s brand, and we worked to create spaces that let the art pieces shine. At the same time, we focused on wayfinding strategies to keep you moving through spaces, viewing the art and discovering more.”
Retrofit Team
Architect and Interior Designer: Deborah Berke Partners, New York
- Deborah Berke, FAIA, partner
- Stephen Brockman, senior principal
- Terrence Schroeder, principal
- Stephen Lam, project manager
- Virginia Gray, designer
Architect of Record: Perfido, Weiskopf, Wagstaff + Goettel Architects, Pittsburgh
MEP Engineer: KLH Engineers, Fort Thomas, Ky.
Engineer: Stewart Inc., Raleigh, N.C.
Civil Consultant: Coulter Jewell Thames, Durham, N.C.
Lighting Consultant: IlluminationWorks, London
Acoustical Consultant: Babich Acoustics, Pittsburgh, (412) 228-0917
Construction Manager: Skanska, Durham
Structural System Renovation: Phillips Iron Works, Raleigh
Restoration of Existing Limestone and Polished Granite Cladding: Baker Restoration, Raleigh
Roofing Contractor: Baker Roofing, Raleigh
Materials
Steel and Glass Hotel Entry Canopy: Acurlite System
Sure-White EDPM Membrane: Carlisle Syntec Systems
Storefront and Guest Room Terrace Doors: Kawneer
Switchable Glass in Public Restroom: Paragon Architectural Products
Vanishing TV (21c suite and restaurant lounge): Seura
New Doors, Hollow Metal Door Frames and Door Hardware: Engineering Specialties, (704) 933-9496
Fire-rated Curtainwall and Door: Aluflam
Custom Invisible Millwork Doors (ballroom, art vitrine and coat closet), Cabinetwork and Custom Woodwork: Cleora Sterling Corp.
Hotel Electronic Locks: VingCard Elsafe
Acoustical Ceilings: Fellert NA
Paint: Sherwin-Williams (throughout) and Scuffmaster ScrubTough (typical guest corridor)
Zinc (restaurant and bar): HandCrafted Metal
Wall Coverings: Arc-Com Fabrics (spa) and Wolf Gordon (21c suite)
Floor and Wall Tile: Nemo Tile Co. Inc., Daltile, and Stone Source
Brentwood Stone (bar and garde manger countertop): Architectural Minerals & Stone
Historic Vault Art Floor Tile: BANK (Unswept Floor Series): Leslie Lyons and JB Wilson
Resilient Flooring (spa and fitness area): Lonseal Loneco Midnight
Office Furniture: Innerplan
Case Goods: Kimball Hospitality (guest rooms) and Cheng Meng Furniture Beachwood Collective (public area)
Upholstery and Seating: Carson’s Hospitality
Dimming System, Lighting Controls: Cooper Control
Plumbing Fixtures: Hansgrohe (guest rooms)
Energy Management: Inncom by Honeywell (guest rooms)
Photos: Chris Cooper