Boston – Huntington Theatre Company announced the start of major construction of The Huntington Theatre, located on Huntington Avenue and beginning an 18-month construction period that will restore, renovate, and modernize the 95-year-old Boston landmark.
Theatre rendering
In order to optimize the time of the theatre’s forced closure due to the pandemic, The Huntington has accelerated the timeline of its renovation plan with the goal of reopening the storied venue in the fall of 2022.
The revised renovation plan requires an innovative phased approach. Phase 1 includes the restoration of the theatre building, the adjoining service building which houses dressing rooms, and a rehearsal room and function space. It will include new lobby space, an elevator that serves all floors, new restrooms, and a new accessible-to-all entrance. Phase 2 of the project will include expanded lobby spaces and public spaces in the neighboring residential tower. The renovations will cost $110 million.
This major renovation will address the needed maintenance and updating of the almost century-old building, providing critical upgrades of all mechanical systems from HVAC to the electrical wiring. The renovation project will use key elements of sustainable design, moving toward the city of Boston’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
The project will also restore and revitalize the key architectural features of the historic building, and provide modern comforts and amenities both in public areas and behind the scenes. These substantial improvements will allow The Huntington to expand its services to artists, audiences, staff, young people, and the community at large.
The principal architect of the Huntington Theatre project is Jason Forney of Bruner Cott and Associates, working alongside Nurit Zuker, Karen Greene, and Rima Abouseleiman. The construction manager for the project is Shawmut Design and Construction, led by project executive David Lyskowski. Jeff Ganem of Leggat McCall Properties is the project manager, and Kat Herzig is the Huntington Theatre Manager. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, theatre design consultants; Jaffe Holden, acoustical consultants; and Selbert Perkins Design; are providing additional services.
