Take a tour of the new Hancher Auditorium
Chuck Swanson walked into the new Hancher Auditorium Tuesday afternoon and saw the massive bright gray curtain rise from the stage for the first time.
"Isn't that neat? That must have been installed just today," Swanson, executive director of Hancher, said standing in the orchestra seating level, looking up at the curtain as it rose inside the 1,800-seat auditorium filled with silver-green padded chairs, eight sets of gallery seats above the orchestra level and two massive balconies above it all.
It's been a long time coming for Swanson, Hancher employees and Iowa City for the curtain to rise again: 1,078 days since the demolition of the University of Iowa's original Hancher started on Sept. 24, 2013, more than 2,800 days since the June crest of the 2008 flood damaged the original building beyond repair.
It took 250 workers over 1 million hours of labor, even during the winter of 2013 and 2014 that featured temperatures of -32 degrees Swanson said, but Hancher is officially ready for a close-up.
Just days away from its ribbon cutting on Friday, when Hancher Auditorium will be open to the public for the first time, Swanson gave a guided tour to media Tuesday, through the auditorium, the dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms.
With an innumerable amount of detail making up the $176 million construction project, one number stood out the most to Swanson: 14,000. That's the number of stainless steel panels, 9,000 of which are one-of-a-kind sizes, that build the curved exterior of Hancher, what Swanson called a "360-degree building" that has "no back sides."
Hancher Auditorium 2016-17 season
Those concerned about future flooding may find one other number more satisfying than any other: Hancher's new stage is 13 feet higher than the old stage. The entire building is 7 feet above the Iowa River's 500-year flood level, according to a Hancher fact sheet from the University of Iowa.
A quick glance outside the massive windows that line all sides of Hancher reveals the site of the old Hancher, which was opened in 1972 with a performance by New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Some 44 years later, the same group will perform on Sept. 16 with Trombone Shorty as the first concert at the new building.
"Then we will have a season like none other," Swanson said.
Featuring 32 events over nine months, including Broadway smash hits like "Mama Mia!" and "The Book of Mormon" and numerous performances by world-renowned dance and musical groups, ticket sales have been "strong across the board," said Rob Cline, director or marketing and communications.
To make sure all the patrons who will soon be filling Hancher are happy — and well-fed — Swanson said Hancher will employ 150 to 200 UI students to be ushers, concierges, coat-checkers and more. They will also help run the four permanent concession stands inside.
The Stanley Cafe, which will act as Hancher's biggest food provider, stands on the second level and features what Swanson said was "one of the best views in the Midwest." Either looking out the wall-sized windows or standing on the balcony, patrons can soak in sights of downtown Iowa City, the sprawling green space around Hancher, the Iowa River and the Iowa River Trail.
Open before, during and after shows, and every Thursday night from 5 to 7 p.m. starting in October, Swanson said Stanley Cafe is also available for rent as an event venue for parties of up to 200 people.
The details that make up Hancher come from many sources, Swanson said. Design firm Pellie Clarke Pelli Architects, OPN Architects, Mortenson Construction, Hancher staff, UI staff, community members and more.
"Everybody was so collaborative," Swanson said. "We all had our 2 cents in the design of Hancher, and that obviously paid off for everyone."
Reach Zach Berg at 319-887-5412, zberg@press-citizen.com, or follow him on Twitter at @ZacharyBerg.
If you go
What: Hancher ribbon cutting.
Where: Hancher Auditorium, 141 E. Park Road.
When: The ribbon will be cut at 3 p.m., the open house will run with guided tours throughout Hancher until 7 p.m.
Cost: This event is free and open to the public.
More Hancher numbers
Over 50 percent: The original Hancher Auditorium was ruled to have damage over 50 percent of its value in February 2009, leading to its closure and eventual demolition.
18 months: The time it took to establish a site plan for the new Hancher.
30 months: The time it took to fully design Hancher.
59 applications: The number of applications received for the design architecture job, which went to Pellie Clarke Pelli Architects.
27,000 square feet: The amount of cypress wood used for both the interior and exterior ceilings.
191,977 square feet: The total size of Hancher.
115 feet: The greatest distance between one seat and the stage inside Hancher Auditorium.
50: The number of performances Hancher will host each year.