The
re-openings of the 1925 Strand Theatre and the 1906 Capitol Theatre in
York, Pa., mark a new lease on life for two treasures that have been on
the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. The $17.3 million
project, led by Westlake Reed Leskosky (formerly van Dijk Westlake Reed
Leskosky), encompasses restoration, adaptive reuse, and new construction,
joining together four landmark buildings of various styles, vintages,
floor levels, and construction types, and three new building additions
to create a unified venue for the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center.
The Capitol Theatre is integrated into the center with support space
share with the Strand, stage expansion, and backstage improvements. The
Strand Theatre boasts new 250-seat mezzanine balcony seating, enhanced
backstage facilities, a new 49-line set stage house, renovated lobby space
expanded to double its size, additional support space, and restoration
of the exterior façade and interior decorative ornamentation. The
new design also added new rehearsal hall and community multipurpose meeting
spaces. From Broadway touring shows, visiting artists, and programming
of the York Symphony Orchestra to educational offerings such as dance
workshops, artist discussions, and master classes, all the performing
arts have a place to thrive in the new facility.
The
purchase of property adjacent to the theaters allowed for the construction
of a new two-story structure to serve the backstage needs of both with
one stage entry. The Capitol received the support space and the Strand’s
stage and stage house have been enlarged and truck load-in improved to
enable it to serve outside presenters and touring shows more fully. New
patron amenities and significant new rehearsal space in the upper volume
of the new addition serve the entire complex.
The proscenium of the Capitol, covered for more than three decades, is
now exposed and restored, and the balcony has been renovated to improve
comfort and sight lines. Designers enlarged the Capitol’s stage.
Renovation of the Strand focused on the exterior façade and the
complete revitalization of the theater’s interior.
“The
Strand has come alive with the restoration of the delicate beauty of its
fine details, rich palette, artwork, and ornament, all seen in harmony
and with fresh light,” says principal architect Paul E. Westlake
Jr., FAIA. He notes the new addition presented an opportunity to shape
the urban landscape. “Visually and functionally, the Strand-Capitol
Performing Arts Center is now integrated on the exterior and the interior,
and the city block unified and transformed to give a strong downtown presence.”
Saving two theaters with one plan
Costing more than $1 million, the Strand Theatre exemplified Italian Renaissance
architecture with its marble terrazzo floor, graceful archways, and ornate
decorative details, including 1,800 pounds of gold leaf, 100 pounds of
bronze, 4,000 pounds of ribbon gold in pilaster moldings, a 2,800-pound
chandelier, and Spanish leather seats. It prospered during the Roaring
’20s and silent films, managed through the Great Depression, and
continued to show movies until the growth of residential suburbs and shopping
centers. With the decline of downtown businesses the two theaters suffered,
and the Strand closed in 1976. Later, involvement by dedicated community,
business, and public officials and Center’s board of directors saved
it from the wrecking ball. Intense fundraising efforts helped raise enough
capital to meet the expanded scope set by the Center’s board.
A
key feature of the work in the Strand is the addition of a 250-seat mezzanine
balcony that enhances the visitor experience and compensates for seats
that were removed at the orchestra level for ADA-related upgrades. Elegant
function rooms overlooking the street were added at the mezzanine level,
providing amenities for patrons and a new revenue stream for the facility.
The renovation also provided entirely new mechanical and electrical infrastructure
and upgrades to life-safety, audio, and theatrical systems.
Westlake describes the visual impact of the restoration efforts: “The
Strand’s decoration is unique among its genre and its signature
owes much to the murals by Pogany in the historic audience chamber. These
murals are intimately related to the architectural decoration of the theatre,
an example of the conspiracy of artists and artisans of the golden era
of American theatre design who developed spaces of fantasy and illusion
and escapism. The restoration of the murals celebrates them in the space,
not only as fine artwork, but as a vital part of the success and visual
richness of the Strand.”
Pogany is a Hungarian artist who created scenic designs for the Metropolitan
Opera and the lavish Ziegfield Theatre. Collaborating with ornamental
restorers EverGreene Painting Studios and Hayles & Howe Inc., the
architect team restored and registered murals and rejuvenated the interiors
with fine details and a polychrome palette set against the cream backgrounds
that are harmonious to the original.
Along with Westlake Reed Leskosky, which provided architectural, mechanical,
and electrical design services, Theatre Projects Consultants, with Webb
Management Services, performed the market study. Separate personnel from
Theatre Projects assisted in programming, and Jaffe Holden Acoustics participated
as acoustic consultants. Kinsley Construction provided services in structural
design and cost estimating.
Copyright 2004 The American Institute of Architects.
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