Memorial Boulevard Intradistrict Arts Magnet School

Location
Bristol CT

Institution
Bristol Public Schools

Acoustician
Akustiks

Construction Manager
D’Amato/Downes Joint Partnership

The Bristol Memorial High School was built in 1920 and closed by the school system in 2012. The community has long been saying renovating the theater should be part of downtown renewal. The 97-year-old building is in good shape, which means the focus of the remodel can be on improving theater equipment: proscenium theater will be given an automated adjustable acoustic banner system, motorized rigging, and upgraded front of house lighting positions as well as an LED stage lighting system. The stage will be enlarged, replaced with a sprung floor, and seats will be made more accommodating. In addition to renovating the main proscenium theater, the renovation plan also includes a new studio theater where the swimming pool used to be.

Construction Type
Renovation
New construction

Square Feet
124,000

Cost
$54 million

Completion
2022

Users
The Town of Bristol

Spaces
700-seat proscenium theater
100-seat flexible studio theater
Scene shop
Costume shop
Support and instructional spaces

Photography © QA+M Architects