Commonwealth Architects

Masonic Theatre

Clifton Forge, VA
Size: 26,300 sf
Services: Historic Tax CreditsHistoric PreservationInterior Design
Awards: International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Interior Design Excellence Award (IDEA), Honorable Mention in Historic Preservation, 2017

Commonwealth Architects has completed the complete interior and exterior rehabilitation of the Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge, Virginia. Designed by Frye & Chesterman Architects and constructed in 1905-06, the Masonic Theatre was originally opened for stage performances and was quickly adapted largely for movie screenings. The third floor housed a meeting room for the Masons and the lower level contained a furniture warehouse.

Working with The Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation, the design rehabilitated the building’s exterior and marquee, adds a stage loading dock, restores the interior Lobby and Auditorium, creates a Lower Level Lounge, Concessions area, restrooms, new Dressing Rooms and connection to the adjacent amphitheater, and rehabilitates the second and third floor offices, as well as a Community Room on the third floor. The adjacent building, which has been historically connected to the theatre since it was constructed in 1907, houses restrooms, a secondary lobby/coat room and mechanical rooms.

All work was designed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the project took advantage of Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits.

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