Less than 2 weeks after the pre-construction phase was complete, the Tateuchi Foundation is gifting $25 million towards the creation of what has long been known as Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE). With the generous donation also come the naming rights of the performing arts center, which will now be known as the Tateuchi Center.

The project has now raised $60 million of the $160 million goal. Fundraising hasn’t come as easily as organizers had once thought. The hope is with this large contribution that other donors will now be encouraged to donate as well. The 5-story, 135,000 square-foot Tateuchi Center is planned to break ground in the summer of 2011, which would put the project on track to open in the first half of 2014.

According to the Seattle Times the $25 million donation ranks among the biggest gifts to an art organization in the area, matching the $25 million donation to the Seattle Art Museum from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and surpassing the $20 million the McCaw family donated to McCaw Hall at Seattle Center.

According to a release, the Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) has announced that all pre-construction documents and activities have been filed with the City of Bellevue. This concludes the 36-month design and planning phase of the project that would be located in Downtown Bellevue at the corner of NE 10th Street and 106th Avenue NE.

PACE has raised nearly $35 million of the $160 million in capital needed. According to John Haynes, PACE executive director and CEO, they will need to complete funding and financing in order to break ground in 14 months. Once the project has broken ground, construction will take 24 months to complete. Following construction, another 6 months will be required to install, test, tune, and commission theatrical systems within the building. According to these timelines, PACE could be on schedule to open in the first half of 2014.

PACE’s plan would allow for a 5-story, 135,000 square-foot performance venue. The Concert Hall is planned to seat 2,000 people and is also flexible for smaller, intimate events for as little as 250 people. Once complete, PACE hopes to attract musicians, dancers, actors, and entertainers to the Eastside.

On Friday, April 16th the Westin Bellevue is set to host Silhouettes of Style 2010 – Talk of the Town. The event will be put on by Act Two Guild to raise money for PACE (Performing Arts Center Eastside.)

This is the 2nd annual Silhouettes of Style. (See last year’s event)

The event will take place from 11:00am – 1:30pm and feature a luncheon as well as a runway fashion show put on by the Bellevue Collection. Tickets are available for $95 per person and are also available to reserve by table.

PACE will feature a 2,000-seat concert hall and 250-seat cabaret. According to the PACE website, the anticipated opening date has crept out another year and is now scheduled to for 2013. The project has been underfunded and was originally reported to break ground in 2008 and be finished in 2010.

Make a donation or register now to Silhouettes of Style 2010 to help fund PACE and get it built!

PACE is currently scheduled to be open in 2012.

The Bellevue Collection’s stores will be featured in the season’s runway show. The event will feature contemporary designers with the latest styles and shop trends.

Act Two Guild, which is intended to appeal to women in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s is now made up of over 30 women whose sole purpose is to raise money and support for PACE.

“This is a dynamic group of young women with an eye for fashion and tremendous experience in putting together very special events,” says Suzanne Hutchinson – director of guilds for PACE.

In addition to raising money, the event also hopes to raise awareness and buzz around PACE.

PACE, scheduled to open in 2012, will be a 2,000-seat performing arts center when complete.

Downtown Bellevue’s portfolio, although quite impressive, is still missing an entertainment venue allowing musicians who bring larger audiences to have a place to play. PACE, which plans to be complete in 2010, will bring a dynamic and much needed music venue to the Downtown Core.

The Hyatt’s remodel will nicely accompany and interact with PACE once it is complete. This “superblock,” as you can see from the image below, has plans to deliver additional upgrades to where the Washington Mutual building currently stands, as well as the office building on 106th Ave.

The $6 million grant brings the grand total of received contributions to PACE for the project, to $30 million. The campaigns goal is $160 million.

The Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) project will break ground in 2008, and is scheduled to open in 2010. The final design and proposal were officially approved. The original proposal was for $100 million, and now with upgrades has jumped to $160 million.

The 2,000-seat venue has the mission to, “Enrich Eastside cultural life with a wide diversity of live entrainment, arts, and education.” PACE promises to bring nationally and internationally acclaimed performances to Bellevue.

PACE when complete will be located in the midst of Downtown Bellevue at the corner of NE 10th St and 106th Ave NE.

Images Source Performing Arts Center Eastside