Charlotte Happenings

JUN 2017

Charlotte Happenings is your monthly guide to events and things to do in and around Charlotte, NC.

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With grandeur that's difficult for the eye to take in all at once, Charlotte's tallest building, Bank of America Corporate Center, has been cleverly dubbed "The Taj McColl"—a nod to former Bank of America chairman and financial mogul Hugh McColl. The space was originally announced as a 50-story building but was modified to 60 stories in honor of the city's namesake, Queen Charlotte. The number 60 pays tribute to her highness' 60-year reign as Queen of England. The tower's opening ceremonies were attended by 55,000 guests who were transfixed as members of nearby Fort Bragg's 16th Military Police Brigade rappelled the full height of the building. The building rests on the site of earlier Charlotte department stores Belk (1929-1989) and Efird's (1923- 1989) and an iteration of Charlotte's City Hall (1891-1925). The marble that adorns the main lobby comes from quarries in Spain, Italy, France and Turkey. In the lobby, visitors find a selection of stunning frescoes (among the largest secular frescoes in the world) by North Carolina artist Ben Long. A small gallery in the northeast corner of the lobby sheds light on 100 N. Tryon St. B A N K O F A M E R I C A C O R P O R AT E C E N T E R 5 the details behind the frescoes' construction. It includes their materials and some of the original sketches Long used to create them. The building is a gateway to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's performance powerhouses—Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse and Stage Door Theater. Directly connected to the tower's lobby is Founders Hall, the massive atrium that houses top restaurants, like Aria Tuscan Grill and City Smoke, apparel retailers Ivy & Leo and Jos. A. Bank, and a skybridge connection to Overstreet Mall. 70 JUNE 2017

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