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SoCo Patio
2023 NC Main Street Award: Design
Best Outdoor Space Improvement
Greg and Paula Stafford
Town of Pittsboro
Chatham County
NC Department of Transportation
Hobbs Architects, PA
Emerson Land Planning, PLLC
Lynch Mykins Structural Engineers, PC
Barton Associates Consulting Engineers
Barringer Construction
SOLUTIONS
The SoCo Patio, located at 39 West Street, is a new event, dining, and nightlife destination across the street from the historic Chatham Courthouse. A small, non-historic structure was razed to accommodate the new outdoor space. The Patio serves as a focal point where several local breweries and wineries gather in one central location and serve drinks during events.
The 6,000 square-foot outdoor patio spans a full city block, and includes a large outdoor stage to accommodate live music facing the historic Justice Motors Building. The Town of Pittsboro paid for streetlights and water/sewer replacements, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation covered the cost of hardscaping in the public right of way. The grade was dropped two feet, and a knee-high wall was constructed to provide patio protection and to offer additional seating. These improvements enable patrons to walk in and out of the adjacent building with no grade change, therefore creating a seamless indoor/outdoor experience. The design is harmonious with the surrounding historic character, and new elements such as a canopy, 9 large fire pits, outdoor stage for live music, and food truck hookups have been incorporated to give this space a new and innovative quality and a sense of place that contributes to a vibrant hub of activity for the downtown district.
The $1,300,000 outdoor space can hold up to 300
people at a time and has been successfully attracting large crowds daily. SoCo Patio hosts live music several times a week and has become a focal point for downtown events.