The Restoration of the Attucks Theater has been awarded the 2004 National Award for Excellence in Construction by the Association of Builders and Contractors for renovations between $2 Million and $10 Million.
Two years ago, Armin Schallermeir, Project Superintendent for VIRTEXCO Corp., Bill Hickmann of NRHA, George Falkner, Project Architect of Livas Group and myself stood in the center of the auditorium of the theater. Plaster was hanging off rusted lath, paint was peeling off walls, pigeons flew thru openings in the roof, the balcony was barley stable, and the roof timbers were ready to fall in at any moment.
After two years of hard work involving many long hours of work and sleepless nights, the four of us were able to sit in that same auditorium and for the first time, realized the magnitude of what we were all a part of. Watching a performance where actors and musicians such as Duke Ellington once played, you really begin to understand the richness that the Theater has to offer to generations to come.
Rarely does the opportunity come along to be involved in such event as rebuilding and returning a building such as the Attucks Theater to its former beauty. I will be forever grateful for such an opportunity.
The Attucks Theater is approaching the final phases of renovation. The new Balcony has been installed, box seats are being completed, and the building addition’s drywall is ready for paint. The Livas Group Architects is the designer of record and the contractor is VIRTEXCO Corporation, both of Norfolk, VA. The first scheduled performance is Sept. 19, 2004.
The Restoration of the Attucks Theater has been awarded the 2004 National Award for Excellence in Construction by the Association of Builders and Contractors for renovations between $2 Million and $10 Million.
Two years ago, Armin Schallermeir, Project Superintendent for VIRTEXCO Corp., Bill Hickmann of NRHA, George Falkner, Project Architect of Livas Group and myself stood in the center of the auditorium of the theater. Plaster was hanging off rusted lath, paint was peeling off walls, pigeons flew thru openings in the roof, the balcony was barley stable, and the roof timbers were ready to fall in at any moment.
After two years of hard work involving many long hours of work and sleepless nights, the four of us were able to sit in that same auditorium and for the first time, realized the magnitude of what we were all a part of. Watching a performance where actors and musicians such as Duke Ellington once played, you really begin to understand the richness that the Theater has to offer to generations to come.
Rarely does the opportunity come along to be involved in such event as rebuilding and returning a building such as the Attucks Theater to its former beauty. I will be forever grateful for such an opportunity.
Brennan Raab
Project Manager, VIRTEXCO Corp.
Update:
The Attucks Theater is approaching the final phases of renovation. The new Balcony has been installed, box seats are being completed, and the building addition’s drywall is ready for paint. The Livas Group Architects is the designer of record and the contractor is VIRTEXCO Corporation, both of Norfolk, VA. The first scheduled performance is Sept. 19, 2004.