We travel again to the site of METALCON 2018 to highlight our host city of Charlotte, North Carolina. Located in the heart of downtown and standing at 60 stories and 871 feet high is the Bank of America Corporate Center. It is the most widely known building in the Charlotte skyline and best known as the world headquarters for Bank of America. When it was completed in 1992, it was and still remains the tallest building in Charlotte. It is among the tallest buildings on the East Coast behind buildings in New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
Although sheathed in granite, the building contains 150 tons of reinforcing steel at the center of the tower and the foundation reaches 38 feet below street level supported by 36 concrete and steel piers. From a field of seven architectural firms, Cesar Pelli was selected for his winning design. Named one of the ten most influential living American architects in 1991 by American Institute of Architects, his most notable buildings include the World Financial Center in New York City and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
The Bank of America Corporate Center’s crown shaped spire is the focal point of the building and it makes it stand out architecturally. It shines from within with glass now illuminated by LED lights, making it stand out from the many world skyscrapers. The building marked its 25th anniversary last year by completing the first part of a major upgrade to the lights on its “crown,” switching to LED lights making it easier to change colors.
The Center’s lobby boasts a work of art by artist Ben Long, one of the largest secular frescoes in the world. The work took more than a year to complete and was painted on site using the traditional technique of fresco painting. Connected to the tower is the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, which contains three performance halls and overlooks the tower from various skylights.
Located only a half mile from the Charlotte Convention Center, be sure to take a stroll through downtown to check out one of the tallest buildings on the East Cost of the United States while you are in town for METALCON 2018.