Turns out it’s not hard to get to the top of the Duke Energy Center

I’ve heard whisperings of private events taking place at the top of the Duke Energy Center, in the Vista. I immediately, and perhaps irrationally, assumed it was this posh, closed-off space in the Wells-Fargo-owned building that could only be accessed by a secret elevator, which could only be accessed with a secret password. And maybe with an invitation that disappears in a puff of flame and ash after reading.

Nah. Turns out this space is open to all Duke Energy employees during regular business hours, according to Randy Wheeless, who handles Duke Energy communications. You just point an elevator to the 46th floor and up you go. And then your ears pop.

I needed a visitor pass to join the fun. And I was flabbergasted to note that Wheeless and I were the only people up here at 10 a.m. on a work day. If I worked here, I’d blast up the elevator and cozy up on one of the couches the second I needed a coffee break. I’d soak up the hushed atmosphere and bask in the sunlight laser-beaming through the glass.

Or maybe I’d press my face up against the floor-to-ceiling windows in the heat of the space (greenhouse-like) and gawk at the abyss. Which features the I-277 loop, the EpiCentre and Bank of America.

Or maybe I’d lollygag just outside the elevators and check out this wall-length screen that vacillates between displays of digital art and Duke Energy ads.

Or poke my head into one of the immaculate conference rooms.

Or stare up at the only floors above me, the 47th and 48th, which I was not allowed to access.

And while I’m not sure that my 26th birthday party would be approved for this space, it’s cool to note that outside non-profit groups can rent the Vista for events, pending approval from the Duke Energy Foundation and a Duke Energy executive.

Wheeless shared that, during the first three quarters of this year, 53 events have been held in the Vista, including Duke Energy Board of Directors meetings, a Leadership Charlotte gathering and a United Way leadership meeting.

Interested parties can send requests to meetingplanning@duke-energy.com. Don’t worry Duke Energy executives, I will likely just take my birthday rager elsewhere.

Photos: Katie Toussaint

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Turns out it’s not hard to get to the top of the Duke Energy Center."