FOX THEATRE

The 1928 building, designed by C. Howard Crane, houses the 5,000 seat Fox Theatre, a fantasia of Arabic, Indian, Oriental and Moorish influenced architecture. Edward D. Francis was the Principal in Charge and was responsible for the renovation and restoration work. The theatre, with the longest free standing balcony in the world, was restored to its original appearance. Patron restrooms were enlarged, an elevator added, food service areas were expanded, and the mezzanine level was converted to private boxes. The backstage of the theatre was modernized to accommodate an entire range of performing arts - from opera to dance. The ten-story office building was renovated to accommodate 400 employees. An atrium space in-filled in the building’s light well. The entire building was updated to meet current building codes. Economic feasibility for this project depended on receiving Federal Tax Act Certification. Edward D. Francis successfully achieved this goal for Little Caesars International. Owner: Little Caesar’s International; Completed: 1989; Budget: Confidential; Role: Architect-of-Record|Renovation and Restoration; Awards: 1989 Honor Award, Michigan Society or Architects; 1989 Outstanding Achievement Award, Engineering Society of Detroit; 1989 Honor Award, Detroit Chapter American Institute of Architects.

The 1,700 seat Michigan Theatre is the main stage at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts in Muskegon, Michigan. The structure was built in 1927 by Master Theatre Architect C. Howard Crane of Detroit. Since its birth, the Michigan Theatre has been the premier venue in the City of Muskegon. With an intensive calendar of 250 event days per year, it serves as the home for a summer professional repertory theatre and the West Shore Symphony Orchestra. Other uses include: professional road shows; student productions; dance recitals; film; lectures; videotaping for television; public tours; matinee performances for student and senior citizens along with various nonprofit arts functions. In 1993, Edward Francis was retained to develop a renovation Master Plan.

The design team recommended: restoration of the original interior, including restoration of decorative paint finishes; improvement in existing life|safety conditions; expand and upgrade the orchestra pit, including installation of a pit lift; reinforcement of existing stage grid; renovate dressing rooms; ADA corrections; provide new lobby space with expanded concession|food service facilities; exterior skin repairs; expansion of public toilet facilities. Design strategies were recommended to improve operational efficiency, allow for expanded programming and increase revenue. GunnLevine Architects Associate|Construction Administrator Anne-Lee Vandenbussche worked as Construction Administrator. The project was funded by a County bond issue and construction began in spring of 1997 and was completed in June of 1998. Owner: Muskegon County; Scheduled Completion: June, 1998; Budget: $7,500,000; Role: Restoration Architect, Master Planning, Historic Preservation, Theatre Planning, Seating, Drapery. Muskegon, Michigan. 

The Fulton Opera House is the oldest continually operating theatre in the United States. Built in 1852 by Master Architect Samuel Sloan, this Italianate gem has since undergone three major renovations. In 1873, the distinguished Philadelphian Edwain Forrest Durang, grandson of America’s first native born actor, reshaped the hall as a Victorian theatre with a horseshoe shaped stepped balcony. In 1904, the interior was again renovated into a neo-classic design. The roof was raised, a second balcony added, and the proscenium stage was expanded. The five level, 33,100 s.f. theatre is presently used as a Performing Arts Center and serves as a home for a professional theatre company.

In 1989, Edward D. Francis, Principal in Charge and Historic Architect was retained by the Fulton Opera House Foundation to develop a comprehensive Master Plan in recognition of extensive safety and technical deficiencies in the facility. Though the emphasis of the Master Plan focused on resolving code violations and issues of public safety, care was taken to recommend strategies that would improve operating efficiency and accommodate a planned expansion for new programming. Completed in 1995, the theatre has undergone complete interior and exterior renovation in accordance with the Secretary of Interior’s guidelines; upgrading of all theatre technical systems inclusive of stage lighting and rigging; updating of all code and life safety systems; and expanded by 15,500 s.f. to provide additional lobby space, support facilities, offices, increased wing space, dressing rooms, and rehearsal spaces.

Owner: Fulton Opera House Foundation; Completed: 1995; Budget: $9,500,000; Final Cost: $9,500,000; Role: Master Planning, Historic Preservation/Restoration, Architecture; Awards: C. Emlen Urban Award for Excellence in Architectural Restoration, 1996 Merit Award- United States Institute for Theatre Technology, 2003 First League of Historic American Theatres - Design & Operations, AIA Detroit and AIA Michigan. Lancaster Pennsylvania 

The original Palace Theatre opened in downtown South Bend in the summer of 1922. Marshall Fields of Chicago designed the opulent decor and established the color palette of old gold and rose with touches of ivory, blue and tan. Re-opened in March 2000, the facility was expanded to 100,000 square feet. It contains a 2,400 seat theatre and a large 1,000 person ballroom. The $12 million restoration includes a new stage house designed to accommodate the most demanding "Broadway road shows". Renovations included: new seating, dressing room, guest room, and loading area, an expanded orchestra pit, portable orchestra shell, new rigging gridiron, bridges, ADA compliance, life safety conformance, expanded patron facilities and extensive interior restoration. Owner: Morris Performing Arts Center; Completion: 2000; Budget: $12,000,000; Final Cost: $12,000,000; Role: Restoration Architect, Historic Preservation, Theatre Planning and Interiors; Reference: Dennis Andres (219) 235-5603. South Bend, Indiana.