Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Restorations
-
January 16, 2009
Plans to restore the Saenger Theater
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The Saenger Theater was heavily damaged by hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has remained shuttered since then with only enough work to keep it stable.
Plans to return the theatre to its original 1927 state have been announced by city officials with a hoped for opening date of 2011. As part of its agreement with the Canal Street Development Corp., the Saenger Theatre Parntership group will oversee efforts to renovate the theater. David Anderson, one of the partners said the restoration will keep an eye toward the theater’s original decor, “including gold-leaf accents, life-size statues and lavish chandeliers. Most of that has been lost because of the storm damage. There is a huge amount of time and money that is going to into the authentic restoration of the interior.”
An article on the restoration can be found at nola.com.
4 comments -
October 24, 2008
A Grade II Listed derelict Art Deco jewel is saved and restored
BERKHAMSTED, HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND — Check out the theater page for the Rex Cinema to see Ian’s post on 10/20 regarding the remarkable developments in this one theatre’s path back to life.
-
September 9, 2008
Art marquee restoration first step
HOBART, IN — Still pleasing moviegoers after almost 70 years, the Art Theater’s new marquee is the one of many renovations coming.
A new, three-sided marquee illuminated by bright, flashing lights will greet downtown moviegoers tonight.
The marquee outside the Art Theatre is the latest upgrade in a two-year project to restore the 67-year-old theater to its former grandeur.
The marquee is reminiscent of the one that was in place when the Art opened in 1941, although it’s not quite as big as the original, owner Scott Frey said.
Read more at the Post-Tribune.
-
August 20, 2008
Gala funds pay to restore Alameda Theatre’s 1932 mural
ALAMEDA, CA — Continuing to polish every last part, the Alameda Theatre’s murals are almost completely restored.
After several weeks of effort, months of anticipation and years of hope, the original mural in the Alameda Theatre’s mezzanine lobby is nearly restored.
“I’ve really enjoyed working on it,” said painter Jane Armstrong. “The days really go fast, and sometimes I forget to take lunch.”
Alamedans got their first glimpses of the mural back in 1932, when the art deco-inspired movie theater — designed by noted San Francisco architect Timothy Pfluger — opened its doors.
Read more at the Mercury News.
(Thanks to gwen for providing the photo.)
-
August 13, 2008
Natchez restores movie cinema
NATCHEZ, MS — This story broke last week about work on the Ritz Theatre in downtown.
Newly installed thin strips of neon lights run up the top of the building and new sheet metal has been put on the marquee.
The work, which should be completed by fall, is a collaborative effort between the Historic Natchez Foundation and two local companies.
Read the full story in the Natchez Democrat.
-
August 12, 2008
Boyd Theatre restoration photos! (before work ceased)
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Before preliminary renovations ceased, Clear Channel and successor owner Live Nation beautifully restored a section of the auditorium of the historic Boyd Theatre.
This work was done after a Paint Study was done to determine the original 1928 Art Deco design. These photos depict some of the work that was designed to restore the Boyd Theatre to its original Art Deco splendor. Fully restored, the Boyd would be one of the most dazzling theaters in the US.
Friends of the Boyd continue to volunteer to get the project back on track, with a new owner and restoration funding.
(Photo courtesy of Rob Bender of Friends of the Boyd.)
-
July 22, 2008
Campus Theatre’s auditorium lost - exterior restored
MILLEDGEVILLE, GA — The Campus Theatre opened in 1935. It was designed in the popular Art Deco style of the day. The theatre closed 1983 and ownership of the theatre changed hands several times over the years. Talks of reopening the theatre never materialized. In 2006 plans to convert the theatre into a “mixed use” building were discussed. In February 2008 then current owner Randall Hattaway sold the theatre to the Georgia College & State University for approximately $800,000. [] Plans were approved]([url=/news/16868_0_1_0_C/) in May of 2008 for a “conversion” of the theater which began in June.
The finalized plans restore the exterior of the theatre, including the marquee and box office, to its original design. The lobby, a portion of the first floor and added basement space will be converted to a book store. The current auditorium will be replaced with a literal black box that will contain a theatre for mixed use presentations. The balcony will be converted into office space along with the current offices already located on the second floor.
-
June 26, 2008
Momence Theatre continues restoration
MOMENCE, IL — The Momence Theatre just east of Kankakee, IL, continues its restoration work. Currently we are making major repairs to secure the roof and get the building closed in for the interior work. Recently an engineering firm was brought in to give an analysis of the building’s condition and it turned out to be better than expected. We now have a plan of attack to move the four center posts holding the auditorium room in place.
The town of Momence, which is an Illinois Main Street community, continues its work to bring all of the wonderful historic buildings back into business. Their facade grant program has been a major help to us with tuckpointing.
-
June 9, 2008
Pantages restoration
VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA — Check out the official website of the Pantages Theatre to see what’s going on with the exciting restoration.
This extraordinary structure, built as a vaudeville house in 1907 and opened on 6 January 1908, enjoys the finest acoustics of any theatre in British Columbia. Closed since 1990, it is now the subject of a major restoration project headed by developer Marc Williams and the non-profit Pantages Theatre Arts Society.
This restoration will recreate the look and ambience of a century-old treasure. It will offer the most modern technologies available in light and sound, in broadcasting and webcasting, in lobbies and galleries, and in multi-use purposes—all within a unique and meticulously restored house, in Canada’s poorest, but culturally richest neighbourhood.
-
May 21, 2008
Balboa restoration receives award
SAN DIEGO, CA — The recently completed Balboa Theatre restoration is winning awards for the meticulous work done to bring it back to its former glory.
The Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) is being honored with a 2008 People in Preservation, “A Star is Reborn” Award, on behalf of Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO), as well as a Historic Preservation Award for Architectural Restoration from the City of San Diego Historic Resources Board for the historic restoration of the Balboa Theatre. The vaudeville-era 1,300-seat live performance theater in the heart of downtown San Diego reopened in January and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The project is being recognized for the great attention to detail in restoration of artwork, the color scheme, the 600 light vertical marquee sign and more. Both award ceremonies will be held in May, which is National Preservation Month. The Historic Preservation Award Ceremony is on May 22 and the SOHO Awards Ceremony is on May 30.
Read more at the Centre City Development Corporation.