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Balboa Theatre

The curtains rise again in a once-abandoned theater.

The restoration of the Balboa Theatre, bordering the Gaslamp Quarter Historic District in San Diego, California, recreates the vaudeville-era theatre and movie house to its original 1924 design, while transforming it into a modern performing arts center that accommodates diverse performance programs, as well as community, corporate, and convention gatherings.

Photo © Nels Akerlund Photography

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Photo courtesy Westlake Reed Leskosky

Row 1, Left to Right
Paul E. Westlake, Jr., FAIA, Principal-in-Charge (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Gary J. Bosse, Senior Project Manager, Construction (Centre City Development Corporation)

Eli Sanchez, Senior Project Manager (Centre City Development Corporation)

Donald M. Telford, President, COO (San Diego Theatres)

David Marshall, AIA, President (Heritage Architecture & Planning)

Curtis Drake, Project Architect (Heritage Architecture & Planning)

 

Row 2, Left to Right
Robert A. Mather, AIA, LEED AP, Associate Principal, Project Director (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Richard Sourbrine, AIA, Associate, Project Director/Construction Administration (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Darrell R. Ziegler, ASTC, Associate, Theatre Specialist (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Monica Green, AIA, CSI, CCS, LEED AP, Principal, Specifications (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Fonda Hosta, NCIDQ Certified, Associate Principal, Interior Design (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Roger Brevoort, Director of Historic Preservation (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

 

Row 3, Left to Right
V. Mitchell Lyles, P.E., Principal, Mechanical Engineer (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Robert J. Diez, PE., Associate Principal, Mechanical Engineer (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Megan Blank, Mechanical Engineer (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

David D. Woytek, Jr., Associate, Electrical Engineer (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Joe Borzyn, P.E., Associate, Electrical Engineer (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Jason Clausen, Electrical Designer/Construction Administration (Westlake Reed Leskosky)

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1,339-seat live performance theatre in the heart of downtown has been renovated under the direction of the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC), a public, nonprofit corporation created by the city of San Diego for the redevelopment of 1,500 acres downtown. CCDC renovated the landmark located within the Horton Plaza redevelopment project area, succeeding after numerous attempts to make it viable though private developers had failed.  The rebirth of the Balboa – a structure that blends Mediterranean Classicism with Moorish and Spanish revival styles, and one of America’s last surviving and un-restored historic theatres of its scale to be preserved – exemplifies how preservation and reinvestment contributes to the reinvigoration of communities.

A 22-year effort and comprehensive $26.5 million phased project solved space constraints and technical complexities, including a unique seismic retrofit, precise fitting of the program, and forensic paint analysis revealing a palette of lavender and metallic bronze.  The scope of the design encompasses the restoration of the exterior rotunda, lobbies, and the audience chamber and balcony, including new, wider seating and the restoration of the theatre’s decorative ceiling and walls, original chandeliers, and indoor waterfalls.  New mechanical, electrical, and theatre performance systems such as rigging, lighting, and audio/visual technology, were installed. 

Using a digital printing process, and based on a historic photograph, a new house curtain and grand drape valance were created in the style of the original. Lobby, box office, loading area, and public amenities were improved and expanded.  Enhancements also include an accurate recreation of the exterior blade sign, entry marquee, and storefronts, and the addition of an orchestra pit lift and orchestra side shell panels. The building’s structure was reinforced for seismic stability.

Formal name of project: Balboa Theatre

Location: San Diego, California

Gross square footage: 45,113 sq.ft.

Total construction cost: $26.5 million restoration

Completion Date: January 2008

Owner:
Centre City Development Corporation
San Diego, California

Gary J. Bosse, P.E.
Senior Project Manager, Construction
619-533-7163
bosse@ccdc.com

Eli Sanchez
Senior Project Manager
619-533-7121
sanchez@ccdc.com

Theatre Operations:
San Diego Theatres
San Diego, California

Donald M. Telford
President, COO
619-615-4004
don.telford@sandiegotheatres.org

Owner’s Representative:
Pfocus
Scottsdale, Arizona

Karen Neu O’Connor, Project Manager
Rick Pfannesteil, Principal
Laura Goodwin, Construction Manager

Architect:
Architect, Mechanical/Electrical Engineer, Interior Designer, Theatre Technical Consultant:

Westlake Reed Leskosky
One East Camelback Road
Suite 690
Phoenix 85012-1668
602-212-0451 t
602-212-1020 f
www.WRLdesign.com
pwest@WRLdesign.com

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