With a staggering loss of art spaces in San Francisco over the years, The Strand Theater's brand new opening in Mid-Market comes as a huge sigh of relief to the creative community. Just half a block from A.C.T.'s über popular black-box venue, The Costume Shop, this multi-faceted renovation is both expansive and intimate. From a dilapidated ruin (it's been vacant since 2003), to a 283-seat (175 cabaret-style) performance space, the 20,000 square foot renovation, led by Michael Duncan from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, took every detail into account.
The Strand Theater (September 15, 1950). Photo courtesy of J.E. Tillmany
The updated façade. Photo courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
The updated lobby. Photo courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
The re-purposed marquee in the new lobby. Photo courtesy of Julie Dyer
The lobby features a café and an impressive panel comprised of 126 individual LED screens. Photo courtesy of Julie Dyer
The Toni Rembe Theater is just one of the available spaces. There is also a fully-equipped 140-capacity room on the top floor. Photo courtesy of Denys Baker
The 33' x 21' stage is easily adjustable and no seat is further than 52 feet from the stage. Photo courtesy of Julie Dyer
A.C.T. salvaged some of the old theater seats as well as the clock that used to hang above the old box office. Photo courtesy of Denys Baker
The Strand's premiere production, Love And Information, opens June 3, 2015. For more information on programming and tickets, please visit The Strand's website.