The recently opened expansion of Phoenixville’s historic Colonial Theatre will be honored with a 2018 Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. This annual award recognizes historic building projects that have been restored or renovated in an exemplary way. The Colonial’s reimagining of the former Bank of Phoenixville building is one of the many exceptional projects to be honored this year.
“This year’s Grand Jury winners exhibit astonishing variety and demonstrate the breadth of preservation efforts in the City and throughout the region,” said Paul Steinke, Preservation Alliance Executive Director.
Owned and operated by the non-profit Association for the Colonial Theatre (ACT), the historic venue reopened in 1999 as a single-screen movie theatre and concert venue. After several years of operation, ACT conducted an expansion study and decided that it was in the theatre’s best interests to pursue that option. In 2011, ACT purchased the adjacent and dormant Bank of Phoenixville via funds raised and contributed by generous donors. The local firm of Carnevale Eustis Architects conceived the adaptive reuse of the historic building, while the project was constructed by Caldwell, Heckles & Egan Construction, Inc. of Lancaster, PA. Special expertise was sought from Cosler Theatre Consultants of New York and Applied Video Technology of Kimberton, PA. Construction of the expansion project began in April 2016 and the new addition opened its doors in May 2017.
“This award is not only an honor for everyone who drew blueprints, poured concrete or wired a projection booth,” said Mary Foote, Executive Director of the Association for the Colonial Theatre, “It’s also a wonderful way to commemorate our members and the community. Not only did they rejuvenate this historic theatre, they also helped it thrive and grow into this beautiful new addition.”
The new wing of the Colonial showcases a spacious lobby, a 30’ concession stand with a selection of beer and wine, and two new movie/performance auditoriums: the 174-seat White Rabbit theatre and an intimate 65-seat Berry Theatre. Plus, the former bank manager’s office has been reimagined and repurposed as a beautiful rental suite with a rooftop deck.
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia actively promotes the appreciation, protection, and revitalization of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities, and landscapes. A 501c3 non-profit membership organization, the Alliance leads in setting the agenda for preservation issues of regional importance and advocates strong public preservation policies.
Grand Jury Award winners were selected by a Princeton-based panel of preservation architects and historians. See the complete list of Grand Jury Award winners here.
The award will be presented to the Colonial at the Preservation Achievement Awards ceremony on June 6, 2018. The annual Achievement Awards celebration is the largest gathering of preservationists in the region, with more than 500 guests expected. Tickets are available at http://www.preservationalliance.com/2018-preservation-awards/
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