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When it was completed in 2010, the Duke Energy Center didn't quite become the tallest building in Charlotte — that distinction belongs to the 265-metre Bank of America Corporate Center — but it did become the largest in the North Carolina city, when measured by square footage. With 48 floors rising to a height of 240 metres, the building, originally meant to be known as the Wachovia Corporate Center, was introduced to the public and press in 2004. Renderings for the tower weren't released until late 2006, months after demolition of the pre-existing Firestone Tire dealership was completed.
The concrete-framed cast-in-place structure was rapidly assembled, with a series of precast concrete floor panels forming the space between the core and the perimeter. A handlebar crown, where cooling towers and the building's maintenance unit are located, frames views of other downtown towers.
Today, the towering glass monolith serves as the centrepiece of the Levine Center for the Arts, a cultural complex of museums and concert halls. Attaining LEED Platinum certification, the building has adopted a number of environmentally friendly initiatives, and incorporates water-saving fixtures, rainwater recycling, and a green roof. Meanwhile, the exterior is equipped with hundreds of programmable LED devices, that are illuminated in colours that match the theme of events staged at the nearby Bank of America Stadium. When the Carolina Panthers play, it's common to see the tower lit in the team's blue hue.
The surrounding mixed-use district successfully converted an urban wasteland typified by acres of surface parking lots into a thriving community, with office, retail, and residential uses guaranteeing a lively 24/7 atmosphere.
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