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Originally opened as a vaudeville house and movie palace, built in 1928, Flint’s iconic Capitol Theatre has been closed for the last two decades. But, after undergoing a $37M upgrade and restoration which started in 2015, it will reopen shortly.
Through the restoration of its ornate John Eberson design and upgrades, the theater is expected to be a focal point for the community, presenting national acts and providing platforms for local arts groups. The revitalized theater is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors annually.
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1985, the restoration of the theater building will reinterpret the theater’s original vibrancy while upgrading it to a state-of-the-art performing arts venue.
Led by a design team comprised of architects DLR Group|Westlake Reed Leskosky, and construction managers The Christman Company, the project will preserve the atmospheric style of the 1,600-seat structure and faithfully restore historically significant elements of the theatre’s original design.
Restoration and recreation of decorative plaster work and statuary throughout the theater, lobby, and interstitial spaces connecting front and back of house amenities; reproduction of original theater seats; updating historic lighting and fixtures throughout, including installation of state-of-the-art performance lighting.
The revitalization project will also include the renewal and refurbishment of 25,000 square feet of attached office and retail space within the theater’s building.; restoration of the building’s original 1928 facade, including restoration of terracotta ornamentation on the building’s exterior, restoration of the historic marquee and blade.
The Capitol Theatre, 17 miles north of Fenton in downtown Flint will reopen in late 2017. It will be managed as a nonprofit performing arts center alongside The Whiting Auditorium