Okland Construction also was carrying out the phased renovations to the Capitol Theatre, including reconfiguring the seating and upgrading the lobby and restrooms. More changes to the seating and layout of the theater space are planned in the near future, says Brian Junge, design principal with the Salt Lake City office of HKS Architects, the project architect.

The ballet center originally was planned for another site elsewhere in the city, but donors were unenthused. But after the county acquired the lot adjacent to the old theater, which it also owns, it "saw an opportunity to provide Ballet West with a unique new home adjacent to where they perform," Junge says. Pedestrian access between the new ballet center and an adjacent office building now is referred to as Ballet Alley.

Lighting Up Downtown

The center's most prominent exterior feature is the crosshatched pattern of metal panels backlit by multi-colored LED lights. They wrap the second and third levels facing the street.

"That feature is a contemporary interpretation of the terra-cotta brick pattern on the Capitol Theatre," says Junge.

The team was looking for ways to create a vibrant street presence without replicating or detracting from the theater's classic marquee. "The lighting will allow the building to transform and create an atmosphere. We can change lighting to reflect the performance in the theater," Junge says.

Derek Losee, a design assistant at architectural glass and steel supplier Steel Encounters of Salt Lake City, says the approximately 4-ft-sq metal panels that make up the feature were thinned at the edges so the light "could wrap around them."

"The panels are held out about 3 to 4 inches off the wall," says Losee. "We developed a method of attaching them so there are only vertical supports and light can carry through the joinery. We wanted a clean look, and the scrim behind them allows the light to reflect smoothly." LED lights above and below the panels can be adjusted to create an array of colors.

While the exterior lighting highlights the older theater next door, the new lobby extension features identical chandeliers and carpet as those inside the old theater. Junge says crown moldings and other interior design features also were carried over to the ballet center's lobby.

Connected Just Enough

Besides the expanded lobby, which has more concessions, restrooms and reception areas for Capitol Theatre patrons, the remainder of the building is dedicated to expansive rehearsal space for dancers, offices for company staff and a top-floor terrace and reception gallery.

"We wanted to develop a building that is unique for the county," Junge says of the ballet center. "We worked closely with the county and the Quinney family for seven years to design this building. We wanted to add vibrancy to downtown, and I hope we've done that. The county gets a new event space downtown. It works out for the betterment of everyone."