Project Description
Convergence led the design team for the renovation and conversion of a 1936 movie theater in Portland’s Historic Foster-Powell neighborhood into a new black box theatre space for ballet and other dance performances. The project included a full build-out of the previously gutted interior while preserving the historic cast-in-place concrete structure and iconic marquee.
Renovations included adding a new mezzanine bar area, accessible all-user restrooms, a LED video screen wall, a Marley dance floor, a lighting grid, full replacement of the building’s MEP systems, and new seating and risers. We closely coordinated the design of the theater with the design of the adjoining ballet school, both with the same owner.
During the project, Convergence addressed some key challenges, including meeting City of Portland seismic requirements, upgrading to current life-safety and accessibility standards, and maintaining the spirit of the historic structure while repurposing it for its new mission. Convergence led our multidisciplinary team of structural, civil, MEP, and landscape consultants to develop cost-effective and realistic solutions for the historic building.
