Commission supports height findings for Music Academy redevelopment at 901 State Street, asks for corner and rooftop refinements

The Historic Landmarks Commission reviewed updated designs April 8 for the Music Academy's planned renovation at 901 State Street, a project that would add a performance hall, teaching studios and a rooftop event space in a building designated as a community benefit project by city council.

Applicants presented a revised rear tower and rooftop plan intended to provide elevator and stair access to a new roof deck and a carved interior performance volume dubbed the “Aurora” space. The team said the interior volume is tuned to accommodate ensembles up to orchestra scale and that the design integrates the new tower with a restored State Street façade.

Commissioners praised the program and the project’s fit for a downtown setting. Several commissioners encouraged design moves to make the rear corner feel more solid — for example, narrowing the large corner openings so the tower corner reads as a heavier, more supported element — and suggested integrating musical motifs in exterior ironwork or signage to make the building’s use legible from the street.

Commissioners requested the applicant return to planning commission (which must make the required height findings) with the HLC’s comments and the comparative height studies the team provided. The HLC's motion forwarded strong support for the community benefit height findings while requesting modest refinements to the corner openings and additional studies showing rooftop privacy, lighting and access arrangements.

The commission’s comments were recorded as advisory to planning commission rather than as final HLC project design approval. The project will return to HLC for development plan review after planning commission completes the height‑finding process.