In 2017, the US Virgin Islands sustained severe damages inflicted by a series of Category 5 hurricanes that tore through the region. The Reichhold Center lost its roof in the storms, and suffered flooding throughout the lower levels, the combination of which resulted in irreparable damages to the stage area as well as the lighting, rigging and sound systems.
The University set out to rebuild the Reichhold Center with the following mission:
“To support programs that preserve and enhance the artistic heritage and cultural foundations of the Virgin Islands, the wider Caribbean and the Americas, and to enrich the cultural and social life of the University of the Virgin Islands and its community with programs and performances drawn from across the globe that exemplify the best human artistic expression and, in so doing, to be recognized as a center of excellence of the University.”
With that mission in mind, NV5, in partnership with The Bourne Group, set about redesigning the University’s flagship performance venue. The Reichhold Center is comprised of two facilities − the 25,422 SF Performing Arts Center, which houses an 1,196 seat open air amphitheater, a stage, a reception area with seating, multiple storage areas, a green room, an art gallery and studio space, a kitchen area, offices, conference rooms, sound tech booths, restrooms, dressing rooms, a laundry room, and various other support spaces, and a separate 2,000 SF gallery building, which includes a concessions area, a roof deck, an art gallery and restrooms. NV5 is providing MEP/FP engineering services for both facilities, and architectural lighting design services for all interior and exterior spaces in the Performing Arts Center.
