Located in downtown Montclair, the Wellmont Theatre will become the heart of a new Arts District. This redevelopment will include preservation of the historic theatre, 220 residential units, 50,000 sq. ft of retail, 30,000 sq. ft of office space and a new parking garage. At the center of this redevelopment is a new 15,000 sq. ft “Arts Plaza.”
The plaza will become a pedestrian street that accommodates a variety of programmable uses, shopping and outdoor dining. A key component integrated into the fabric of the design is public art, that tells the story of Montclair’s rich musical history.
Arterial was commissioned to design the public “Arts Plaza,” the surrounding streetscape and the private rooftop amenity spaces. The Arts Plaza is designed as a vibrant, programmable space that is enjoyable for day-to-day use but can also accommodate performances and events at a variety of scales. Key elements of the design include sculptural entry walls, overhead catenary lighting and a unique “performance stair.” The performance stair is designed to provide stepped seating for day-to-day use, can be transformed into an outdoor classroom for small performances, and it can become a full stage for larger performances.