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Click on image to go to area
___
The Englert Civic
Theatre
100-year-old theater hosting musicians, writers & comedians while staging plays & art exhibits
221 E Washington St.
Iowa City, IA 52240
(319) 688-2653
___
Future Projects
The Work Will Continue
The rehabilitation, restoration, and revitalization of the Englert Theatre will be a multi-phase project. The first phase of the multi-phase project focused heavily on shoring up the historic building’s walls, floors, and roof, including substantial structural repairs. Additionally, the first phase included restoration of the iconic marquee and expansion of the second-floor gallery space. OPN worked with the Englert to set priorities and focus on investments that both addressed the greatest needs and maximized the use of grants, public funding, and historic tax credits. The second phase will focus on enhancing the patron experience with better sound, better lighting, and historically appropriate upgrades to the main hall.
List of Additional Projects (not in order):
• Audio Hardware Pack
• Audio Line Array
• Carpet Replacement
• Front of House Audio Board
• Handicapped Lifts
• Headset Communication System
• Hearing Assistance Gear
• House Lighting
• Light Board
• Monitor Board
• New Aerial Work Platform
• New Seating
• Plaster Repair
• Radio Equipment
• Rail Replacement
• Spotlights
• Stage Floor Replacement
• Stage Lighting, Booms, Breakouts, Paradigm
___
Façade Restoration
Old and New Technology
The appropriate treatment of historic masonry and historic windows are critical when engaging a successful historic rehabilitation. OPN used LiDAR 3D scanning technology, laboratory testing, and old-world techniques to design and specify the best restoration plan for the theatre’s façade.
Historic bricks and mortar are different from modern brick and mortar and the only way to carefully repair historic masonry is to test the existing materials and select compatible replacements. OPN worked with a testing laboratory to identify the type of mortar and did reconnaissance to find replacement glazed brick of the same shape, size, composition, and vintage.
The Theatre’s unique, casement plus double hung wooden windows needed both routine maintenance and repair. While some parts were broken and some parts were rotten, most of the windows were repairable. Using traditional, time-testing materials and techniques, the windows were restored and again operable and energy efficient.
___
Marquee Restoration
The Same Marquee but Brighter, Safer, and more Efficient
The City of Iowa City issued a building permit to the Englert Theatre in 1958 for the erection of a neon sign. Photographs indicate the marquee remained, with little change, for nearly 62 years.
When the Englert asked OPN to investigate marquee restoration, the paint was peeling, neon lights were broken, the incandescent “chaser” lights did not move, and the soffit lights were not operational. Internally, the steel structure that supported the Marquee was rusted and the electrical infrastructure that powered the sign did not meet any modern electrical safety requirements. The marquee not only looked bad, but it was also dangerous.
The marquee cladding—called cabinets-- were removed, disassembled, and shipped to a contractor specializing in marquee restoration. The many layers of paint were removed to expose the original colors—colors that were slighting different than the most recent color scheme. The steel superstructure was repaired, and irreparably corroded pieces were replaced. Energy-saving LED lighting replaced incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes. Neon—an energy efficient light source-- was replaced in-kind to retain authenticity.
Additional Information:
The 1958 sign was last in a series of signage evolution.
The first marquee present at the Englert was a combination of an unlit fabric canopy sign protecting over the entrance that was paired with a projecting double-face blade sign projecting from the third floor. The large blade sign said “Englert Theatre” in two lines of horizontal text and projected from the building at least 10 feet. The letters and perimeter appeared to be illuminated with incandescent bulbs.
After the 1926 fire, the original, horizontally oriented blade sign was replaced with a narrow, vertically-oriented blade sign that extended from the second floor up to the cornice. A second, smaller blade sign with changeable message board was added above the fabric canopy on the west and a large, triangular, changeable message board was added below the canopy.
The frenetic, post-fire signage and canopy conglomeration was removed and replaced with a marquee like the present marquee. This sign had similar proportions to the current sign; however, the Englert topper font was different, the changeable message board was three distinct lines with no flourish frame, and the soffit was not lighted. That sign was replaced or radically transformed in 1958*.
* Vitaphone invented 1926; globe and acroterion are missing, i.e. post fire.
___
Back Stage
All Hallmark Preserved | Disaster Averted
In 1926 the Englert Theater suffered a catastrophic fire. Historic photographs show the Iowa City Fire Department attempting to extinguish the fire, but the fire spread throughout the building destroying much of the building. The theater was quickly rebuilt but the exterior brick walls—including the stage wall where the fire started—was reused as-is. It’s likely that the shock of red-hot bricks being rapidly cooled by fire-fighting water caused the bricks on the stage wall to spall and crack. To most Englert patrons, the rough and charred stage wall that featured signatures from artists who performed on stage was its hallmark.
In the recent past, the Englert staff began noticing large pieces of brick falling from the stage wall onto the stage. When OPN studied the wall, it became evident that the inner layer of brick was completely detached from the rest of the brick wall and collapse was possible. Additionally, the catwalk used for theatrical production was attached to the failing wall. During demolition, much of inner row of bricks fell with little or no effort, proving the wall was unsafe and collapse was imminent.
New bricks with a rough texture and charred appearance were made to match the damaged historic bricks. The bricks were laid to match the historic coursing and mortar was tinted, as if it had been charred. A masonry pier featuring artist signatures was retained.
___
Madison County Courthouse
Exterior and Entry Renovations
The Madison County Courthouse Board of Supervisors will be recieving bids for the work on the exterior of their building located in Winterset, Iowa. The project involves replacment of the porch roofs, limestone masonry repair, limestone replacement, sheet metal, new wood windows and painting, installation of new ADA ramps, installation of a vehicle service ramp, sidewalk modification, and minor mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and landscaping.
___
Lobby
Hidden Upgrades
The Englert’s community gathering space, bar, and de facto intermission hangout—the Gallery—is on the second floor, above the Lobby. When OPN was asked to provide a design to expand the second-floor gallery space, the supporting structure required study. To support the increased weight of more people and bigger crowds, the gallery floor (and lobby ceiling) needed reinforcement.
Using historic drawings and a borescope we learned that the wooden floor joists were charred and bowed and too small for large groups of people.
Additional floor joists were added, and steel columns were embedded in walls and supported by new helical piers in the basement. The modern structure is completely invisible but meets modern safety requirements.
___
Gallery Expansion
New [Historic] Gathering Space
When the Englert was constructed, the area above the lobby was apartments. Decades ago, the apartments were removed, and a social space called the Gallery was added. The multi-purpose social room was used as an art gallery, concession stand, bar, and community gathering space. While useful to the Englert, it was too small and oddly shaped with limited windows and a closet in the middle of the room.
OPN worked with the Englert to expand the Gallery, more than doubling its size. Major structural upgrades were required to make the space safe and substantial alterations to heating and cooling duct work were needed to make the open. Fire sprinklers were added to improve its safety and a new sound system was installed to increase the versatility of the space.
The new space will be a multi-purpose space and will be used for performances, receptions, intermission concessions, and a community gathering space. The new space will provide a new source of revenue to the theater and increase the programming capacity of the organization.
___
Project Location
(and Bid Drop off location)
112 N John Wayne Drive
Winterset, IA 50273
A Public Bid Reading will directly follow when the bids are due. Reading will take place at the Annex.
(Annex Address: 201 W. Court Avenue, Winterset, Iowa 50273)
On-Site Tours
Email to Register:
asnider@opnarchitects.com
Tour Dates:
-March 4 (10a)
-March 11 (10a)
___
Marquee Restoration
The Same Marquee but Brighter, Safer, and more Efficient
The City of Iowa City issued a building permit to the Englert Theatre in 1958 for the erection of a neon sign. Photographs indicate the marquee remained, with little change, for nearly 62 years.
When the Englert asked OPN to investigate marquee restoration, the paint was peeling, neon lights were broken, the incandescent “chaser” lights did not move, and the soffit lights were not operational. Internally, the steel structure that supported the Marquee was rusted and the electrical infrastructure that powered the sign did not meet any modern electrical safety requirements. The marquee not only looked bad, but it was also dangerous.
The marquee cladding—called cabinets-- were removed, disassembled, and shipped to a contractor specializing in marquee restoration. The many layers of paint were removed to expose the original colors—colors that were slighting different than the most recent color scheme. The steel superstructure was repaired, and irreparably corroded pieces were replaced. Energy-saving LED lighting replaced incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes. Neon—an energy efficient light source-- was replaced in-kind to retain authenticity.
Additional Information:
The 1958 sign was last in a series of signage evolution.
The first marquee present at the Englert was a combination of an unlit fabric canopy sign protecting over the entrance that was paired with a projecting double-face blade sign projecting from the third floor. The large blade sign said “Englert Theatre” in two lines of horizontal text and projected from the building at least 10 feet. The letters and perimeter appeared to be illuminated with incandescent bulbs.
After the 1926 fire, the original, horizontally oriented blade sign was replaced with a narrow, vertically-oriented blade sign that extended from the second floor up to the cornice. A second, smaller blade sign with changeable message board was added above the fabric canopy on the west and a large, triangular, changeable message board was added below the canopy.
The frenetic, post-fire signage and canopy conglomeration was removed and replaced with a marquee like the present marquee. This sign had similar proportions to the current sign; however, the Englert topper font was different, the changeable message board was three distinct lines with no flourish frame, and the soffit was not lighted. That sign was replaced or radically transformed in 1958*.
* Vitaphone invented 1926; globe and acroterion are missing, i.e. post fire.
___
Future Projects
The Work Will Continue
The rehabilitation, restoration, and revitalization of the Englert Theatre will be a multi-phase project. The first phase of the multi-phase project focused heavily on shoring up the historic building’s walls, floors, and roof, including substantial structural repairs. Additionally, the first phase included restoration of the iconic marquee and expansion of the second-floor gallery space. OPN worked with the Englert to set priorities and focus on investments that both addressed the greatest needs and maximized the use of grants, public funding, and historic tax credits. The second phase will focus on enhancing the patron experience with better sound, better lighting, and historically appropriate upgrades to the main hall.
List of Additional Projects (not in order):
• Audio Hardware Pack
• Audio Line Array
• Carpet Replacement
• Front of House Audio Board
• Handicapped Lifts
• Headset Communication System
• Hearing Assistance Gear
• House Lighting
• Light Board
• Monitor Board
• New Aerial Work Platform
• New Seating
• Plaster Repair
• Radio Equipment
• Rail Replacement
• Spotlights
• Stage Floor Replacement
• Stage Lighting, Booms, Breakouts, Paradigm
___
Lobby
Hidden Upgrades
The Englert’s community gathering space, bar, and de facto intermission hangout—the Gallery—is on the second floor, above the Lobby. When OPN was asked to provide a design to expand the second-floor gallery space, the supporting structure required study. To support the increased weight of more people and bigger crowds, the gallery floor (and lobby ceiling) needed reinforcement.
Using historic drawings and a borescope we learned that the wooden floor joists were charred and bowed and too small for large groups of people.
Additional floor joists were added, and steel columns were embedded in walls and supported by new helical piers in the basement. The modern structure is completely invisible but meets modern safety requirements.
___
Back Stage
A Hallmark Preserved
Disaster Averted
In 1926 the Englert Theater suffered a catastrophic fire. Historic photographs show the Iowa City Fire Department attempting to extinguish the fire, but the fire spread throughout the building destroying much of the building. The theater was quickly rebuilt but the exterior brick walls—including the stage wall where the fire started—was reused as-is. It’s likely that the shock of red-hot bricks being rapidly cooled by fire-fighting water caused the bricks on the stage wall to spall and crack. To most Englert patrons, the rough and charred stage wall that featured signatures from artists who performed on stage was its hallmark.
In the recent past, the Englert staff began noticing large pieces of brick falling from the stage wall onto the stage. When OPN studied the wall, it became evident that the inner layer of brick was completely detached from the rest of the brick wall and collapse was possible. Additionally, the catwalk used for theatrical production was attached to the failing wall. During demolition, much of inner row of bricks fell with little or no effort, proving the wall was unsafe and collapse was imminent.
New bricks with a rough texture and charred appearance were made to match the damaged historic bricks. The bricks were laid to match the historic coursing and mortar was tinted, as if it had been charred. A masonry pier featuring artist signatures was retained.
___
Gallery Expansion
New [Historic] Gathering Space
When the Englert was constructed, the area above the lobby was apartments. Decades ago, the apartments were removed, and a social space called the Gallery was added. The multi-purpose social room was used as an art gallery, concession stand, bar, and community gathering space. While useful to the Englert, it was too small and oddly shaped with limited windows and a closet in the middle of the room.
OPN worked with the Englert to expand the Gallery, more than doubling its size. Major structural upgrades were required to make the space safe and substantial alterations to heating and cooling duct work were needed to make the open. Fire sprinklers were added to improve its safety and a new sound system was installed to increase the versatility of the space.
The new space will be a multi-purpose space and will be used for performances, receptions, intermission concessions, and a community gathering space. The new space will provide a new source of revenue to the theater and increase the programming capacity of the organization.
___
Façade Restoration
Old and New Technology
The appropriate treatment of historic masonry and historic windows are critical when engaging a successful historic rehabilitation. OPN used LiDAR 3D scanning technology, laboratory testing, and old-world techniques to design and specify the best restoration plan for the theatre’s façade.
Historic bricks and mortar are different from modern brick and mortar and the only way to carefully repair historic masonry is to test the existing materials and select compatible replacements. OPN worked with a testing laboratory to identify the type of mortar and did reconnaissance to find replacement glazed brick of the same shape, size, composition, and vintage.
The Theatre’s unique, casement plus double hung wooden windows needed both routine maintenance and repair. While some parts were broken and some parts were rotten, most of the windows were repairable. Using traditional, time-testing materials and techniques, the windows were restored and again operable and energy efficient.
___
The Englert Civic
Theatre
Iowa City Landmark Restored
The Englert Theatre is a building and is a much-loved nonprofit organization. The building was constructed in 1912 and has become a local historic landmark, listed building on the National Register of Historic Places, and was identified as a National Treasure by the National Trust. The nonprofit is entrusted with the care and operation of Iowa City’s cornerstone performing arts venue and continues to entertain the community with live music, dance, theater, and all types of live performance. The organization outgrew a previous renovation completed in 2004 and the wear and tear of time coupled heavy scheduling, led to the need for additional investment aimed at preserving and revitalizing the building and upgrading the audience experience.
OPN Architects worked with the Englert to develop a wish-list of improvements and a thoughtful plan to fundraise and execute those plans. The first phase of the multi-phase project focused heavily on shoring up the historic building’s walls, floors, and roof, including substantial structural repairs. Additionally, the first phase included restoration of the iconic marquee and expansion of the second-floor gallery space.