6 minute read
Castro Theater Lighting Renovation
A Fusion of Historic Preservation and Modern Innovation
By Randy Reid
The Castro Theater, a historic landmark in San Francisco, is undergoing a significant historic preservation and renovation effort to transform it from a historic movie palace into a versatile venue that will include an array of diverse programming. This project aims to enhance the theater's functionality while preserving its historic significance, involving intricate lighting design efforts, led by senior designers Krissy Kenny and Ruben Markowitz.
The renovation is particularly exciting because Phoenix Day, the very company that crafted the original fixtures nearly 100 years ago, is set to retrofit them with cutting-edge technology. Founded in 1850, Phoenix Day's deep connection to the Castro Theater makes this project uniquely special, as Tony Brenta, a third-generation leader, spearheads the effort to bring modern illumination to these historic fixtures.
VISION AND GOALS
The lighting retrofit is driven by the dual objectives of restoring the historic fixtures and integrating modern lighting solutions to create a safer, brighter, and more welcoming environment.
"We started assessing all the lighting fixtures that were existing in the space," explained Markowitz. "Some of them are historic, some of them were added much later and not with a ton of care. We are taking out the fixtures to make them more functional and restore them to what they were back when the theater was opened."
HISTORIC FIXTURE RESTORATION
Central to the project is the restoration of the theater's main chandelier. This centerpiece, made of sheet metal, had fallen into disrepair over the years.
Of the roughly 500 incandescent bulbs, only a fraction were functional before the renovation. "The main chandelier was on this really old chain connected to an ancient winch, so at some point, people decided not to use it anymore”, recalled Markowitz.
Brenta added, "The chandelier is about 12 feet across and probably 20 feet high. It has these sections that have all these little tapered columns. Moving it was a huge project. It took a team to disassemble it and move it because it wouldn't fit through any of the doors at the Castro."
He also explained that the original fixture, when the theater opened in 1922, was made of paper. That fixture actually caught fire and burned, which is how his company, Phoenix Day, was chosen to create one made of steel.
MODERN LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
The renovation includes replacing the old G40-style screw-in bulbs with modern LED nodes. These nodes offer brighter illumination and greater energy efficiency. In addition to the giant chandelier in the middle of the theater, there are three original chandeliers in the balcony and three more directly under the balcony.
All seven are being restored, and the nodes will be color-changing, allowing for both white and red lighting modes to replicate the original functionality.
"We are planning to still have some of that effect where we can turn them white for the house mode and red for the show mode," said Markowitz. "In the main chandelier, we're looking at using pixel control modules. This will allow individual control of the numerous pockets within the chandelier for dynamic lighting effects during concerts.”
The house will also include a theatrical style rig that will provide stage lighting and highlight artistic elements of the theater that have been difficult to see due to lack of illumination, a thick layer of tar from years of cigarette smoke, and a coat of varnish that had turned brown.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS
The control of the new lighting system is critical to the renovation. The architectural lighting will be managed by an ETC Paradigm system, while an MA Lighting grandMA3 console will handle the entertainment lighting. This dual system setup allows for seamless control of both the everyday lighting and the specialized concert lighting.
Kenny elaborated, "It'll be a combination of things because we're going to have to have one control hub that can be used for day-to-day operations and then it will send out signals to a wider network. DMX will be one component of the system that we're using."
The renovation also involves approximately 24 other historic fixtures in the building, which will be replaced with standard LED white A-lamps from Philips, known for their exceptional dimming capabilities. These fixtures will be controlled using ETC Foundry ELV dimmers, ensuring a smooth and subtle dimming curve.
CHALLENGES AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
One of the biggest challenges faced during the renovation has been maintaining the historic value of the building. "Anything visible to the public needs to stay more or less how it always was," emphasized Markowitz. "We're mindful of how we treat this building so that it looks beautiful and is safer while keeping its historic value."
The project has garnered strong support from the local community. "The community in the Castro has been some of our biggest supporters," he said. "They are really excited to see this project, and we don't want to disappoint them."
Tony Brenta shared his enthusiasm about the project: "It's fun being able to take these fixtures down and know that the company I run right now made these fixtures. It's cool that we're involved with this. The fixtures had decades of nicotine and grime, and cleaning them revealed their true beauty."
With Phoenix Day having performed restorations on several San Francisco landmarks including the War Memorial Building, the Palace Hotel, the Curran Theatre, and the Trans America Building, this is a process he is especially familiar with. But the close connection with the Castro makes this project special.
PROJECT TIMELINE AND FUTURE USE
The renovation targets completion by early 2025. The initial phase is expected to take around six months, followed by additional construction to add dressing rooms and other backstage facilities.
"The theater will be a mixed-use house," explained Kenny. "It will host movie festivals, queer programming, drag shows, smaller musical acts, podcasts, and private events. The goal is to maintain its historical significance while providing a versatile venue for various events."
CONCLUSION
The lighting design of the Castro Theater exemplifies a delicate balance between preserving historical integrity and incorporating modern technology. This renovation ensures that this beloved landmark continues to shine brightly for years to come, blending the past with the future in a harmonious display of light and history.
"We're excited to bring life back to the Castro Theatre and its many historic features," said Elisa Hernandez Skaggs, the project manager from Page & Turnbull, the preservation architect for the restoration project. "This is a one-of-a-kind venue with significant architecture and detailing inside and out. Restoring this historic and cultural icon advances its legacy as a vibrant community venue."
This ambitious project, a testament to the combined efforts of historical preservationists and modern lighting designers, promises to revitalize the Castro Theater, ensuring it remains a beacon of culture and history in San Francisco.
