Colored exterior lights have already made the Duke Energy Center high-rise an iconic part of Charlotte's skyline. Now Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers says he plans to open one of the building's top floors to local nonprofits for board meetings and benefits. The 46th floor atrium and conference rooms feature panoramic views of the city. At a grand opening celebration Friday, Rogers reflected on the dramatic turn that led Duke Energy to occupy the building instead of Wachovia, for whom it was originally designed. "If I could re-run the tape, I would have been happier if Wachovia was still headquartered here and we had two banks headquartered here and we were over in our other building," said Rogers. "But life didn't work out that way, and so it's been a great opportunity for us. And it's also a way for us to step up and support the community." The Duke Energy Center anchors the museum and concert hall complex known as the Levine Center for the Arts. Bank of America's skyscraper further down Tryon Street is still the tallest in Charlotte. But the Duke Energy Center is the largest by square feet and Duke occupies about half of the floors.
Duke's New Digs
