Originally constructed in 1920 for use as a motion picture theater, the building was operated for this use into the 1960s. Since that time, it has housed multiple tenants, including, most recently, Habitat for Humanity offices in the front and a nightclub in the rear. The current rehabilitation of the Roosevelt Theater is designed primarily as a cinema with potential additional use for community lectures, live-music performances, and other community events. The design approach is nostalgic of the historic theater’s Art Deco heritage. While being influenced by the historic period and record photos of the original marquee, it is also a modern re-interpretation of the theater which takes advantage of design features, amenities, and technology available today.
Art Deco celebrated the modern world and industry and developed from what people saw as the promise of the Machine Age. It was sleek and sophisticated, featuring smooth surfaces and bold colors in high contrasts such as black and white. Art Deco design embraced angularity and was often hard-edged and geometric. These concepts influenced the reinterpreted design of the front façade, lobby, and theater interior.
The configuration of the tiered theater seating is based upon optimal sightlines and maximized seat count for the proportions of the long narrow theater while complying with life safety and accessibility codes. Arcollab has led the team of consultants to provide structural reinforcing to the existing building shell, new interior and marquee signage structure, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, acoustic and audio-visual design, and FF&E coordination. Arcollab has hired a cost-estimating consultant to provide pricing on the recently completed construction documents in order to solidify the construction cost and fundraising goals for the City of Jefferson.
