Just as rock-n-roll has evolved over the last four decades, so has a Tampa venue that has celebrated the music for 40 years.
Seminole
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino recently added an 18,000-square-feet performance space and lounge.
James Geier of
555 Design Fabrication Management says the new project makes Hard Rock more competitive in the current club scene.
"We were hired to develop a new prototype for Hard Rock to elevate their place to make it more relevant to what's going on in the world of entertainment," says Geier. "It's been the same way for 40 years, and they want to make it like other clubs around today."
Geier says the stage is the focal point of the new space.
"They've always had small stages for small acts. But in this case, we had an 18,000-square-foot space in total. The stage is reminiscent of the Hollywood Bowl. It's really the central focus of the cafe. The canopy is the engine that leads to the stage and dining area. So everybody has a grand view.
Geier says small touches make the venue unique.
"There are screens for projections and DJ equipment, so if there isn't a live act going on, there's still something there for patrons to enjoy," he says. "We've also manufactured chandeliers out of speakers and cymbals. The stage is framed in silver RF connectors. A lot of these elements we've shipped off to other Hard Rock venues around the world. They're very cool rock-centric elements."
The venue had its grand opening in January 2011 and is now open for business with
concerts three nights a week.Writer:
Missy Kavanaugh
Source: James Geier, 555 Design Fabrication Management
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