Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts Open House [PHOTOS]

The Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts was open to the public this weekend for a preview of the new $500+ million venue. The free events included a tour of the entire center during the community open house, a Sheryl Crow concert and a family festival.

The photos below follow the tour and feature shots of the entrance, the grand staircase, the Walt Disney Theater, the view from the main stage, the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theater, the DeVos family room, a classroom for the School of Arts, and more. The Walt Disney Theater will seat 2,700, while the smaller Pugh Theater can seat 300 in a very intimate setting.

The “Grand Premiere” events mark an important milestone in the long, delayed and over-budget process to open a new performing arts center in downtown Orlando. The project is still not complete and there is no information on the financial status or fundraising for the final phases of future construction. The fate of the historic Bob Carr Performing Arts Center is directly connected to the completion of the Dr. Phillips Center. There was also only one eye-sore, the Round Building which is partly demolished but still standing (see last photo below).

Here are a few photos from this weekend: