The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro raised $35 million privately, to be paid over ten years.

After working for a year, a task force recommended a state of the art center in February 2013.

War Memorial Auditorium, with 2,400 seats, was too large for some events but had a small stage and orchestra pit as well as poor acoustics; Coliseum Managing Director Matt Brown had plans for $5 million in improvements but no funding.

A preliminary study recommended a performing arts center with 1,700 to 2,000 seats, and a smaller 500-seat facility.

[12] In 2008, Brown said events were being lost to the Durham Performing Arts Center and that Greensboro was entitled to a facility of equal quality.

A Greensboro Performing Arts Center Task Force began meeting in February.

[12] In 2013, Greensboro attorney Kathy Manning agreed to serve as chair to seek private funds for the performing arts center.

Land was purchased at North Elm and Lindsay Streets and Summit Avenue at a cost of $11.5 million.

[17] Because the Tanger Center is expected to lose money in its early years, a new premium parking lot at the Coliseum Complex will be used to help with operating expenses.

The 111,000-square-foot building will face Abe Brenner Place and occupy part of a 5.5-acre lot also bordered by North Elm and East Lindsay Streets and Summit Avenue.

[23] Steven Tanger and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper attended the groundbreaking April 26, 2017.

[24] A web site was available and included what is described as a real-time camera permitting viewers to watch construction progress.

[1] Tanger Center held an official opening ceremony November 15, 2021, that included the dedication of Genesis by Mabel Poblet, "nearly 200 strands of laser-cut, reflective metallic and clear acrylic discs ... from 6 inches to 24 inches in diameter" hanging from the ceiling of the lobby.