The project revitalized a historic 1920s-era French Baroque theater —that once hosted Buddy Holly & the Crickets, Chuck Berry, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald—by preserving its former grandeur while integrating modern technologies to meet today’s performance standards.

The 72,000-sq-ft theater had previously repurposed as a university gymnasium and classroom facility, but the team transformed it back into a 2,700-person music venue—integrating contemporary systems into the aging structure while working in a densely populated urban area. Despite working with unknown existing conditions, team members ensured safe access to various parts of the building predating modern engineering standards through detailed planning and design. They also had to develop scaffolding that could adapt to dynamic changes necessary for access throughout the restoration.

While the large volume of materials needed and the physically demanding nature of constructing the scaffolding added to work complexity, the 21-month project finished on schedule.

Maintaining its cultural significance and adapting to contemporary needs to attract a new audience, the comprehensive renovation covered eight levels of the theater, from basement offices and artist green rooms to the upper mechanical and spotlight rooms. The team says each space “has been meticulously restored to harmonize the theater’s old charm with new functionalities.”