The American Conservatory Theater's renovation of the old Strand Theater is one of the biggest projects in the current revitalization of the Mid-Market neighborhood, and lots of progress has been made since ground first broke more than a year ago. The formerly run-down theater is now filled with scaffolding as the structure transforms from an abandoned, graffiti-filled shell into a 285-seat showcase space with a smaller theater upstairs and a café. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is leading the redesign, with Page & Turnbull on board as the historic preservation architect. The building's facade is being preserved and updated, and much of that work is already under way. Restored windows will be installed soon, as will a new glass storefront for the lobby.
Photos showing the theater in an earlier phase of work, between October 2013 early 2014.
Along with preserving the theater's historic facade, A.C.T. decided to hang onto some of the Strand's more recent history. The building has been vacant since 2003, and some of the graffiti left by squatters who stayed there will live on in the theater's new incarnation. The most notable is an oversized "Junkies for Life" graffito. The $33.5 million renovation is set to be complete next year, with the first performances held in late spring.
The photos that follow have been taken in the past month or thereabouts, so you can see how much things have changed since the images from last year (see the thumbnail gallery above) were taken.
· Mapping 40 Major Changes Reshaping the Mid-Market Corridor [Curbed SF]
· Exclusive Photos: Ground Has Broken on Strand Theater Renovation [Curbed SF]