RR Building Area: (sf) 17,600. Cost per Square Foot: $323. Construction Cost $5,677,000. Date of Completion: December 2013

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1 Program Summary: This rehabilitation of a historic theater returns the 65 year old building to its original use as a multipurpose entertainment venue. Program Statement: Situated in one of New Orleans historically African American neighborhoods, this theater was built in 1948 specifically for African Americans. At the time of construction the economic situation of the African American community within the city was improving more money was becoming available to spend on recreational activities. Thus the theater was built so that the community could have an entertainment venue on par with others in the city. RR Building Area: (sf) 17,600 Cost per Square Foot: $323 Construction Cost $5,677,000 Date of Completion: December 2013 The theater was closed in 1980 and transitioned into a medical clinic. Hurricane Katrina saw the area inundated in 6 feet of water at which point the medical clinic was closed indefinitely. Fortunately, the modifications made to the building for the clinic did not alter the major architectural features, ultimately allowing for the building to be restored to its original use. This rehabilitation not only restores the existing spaces to their original splendor, but modernizes the facility to current code standards. The addition of a new volume on the back side now houses many of the required support functions allowing the spaces in the original footprint to remain as they were originally purposed. The main theater space is left open with no fixed seating so that the venue can be used for jazz, big band ensembles, chamber music, musicals, stage plays, and many other types of shows.

2 RR The moviegoing impulses of many negro patrons have however been somewhat stifled by the fact that there has been either a dearth of theatres in their neighborhoods or only shabby and ill-kempt structures with poor pictures. - Source: Theatre Catalog This theater was unique in that it was the first to provide a first-class venue accessible to the African American community. High quality projection equipment and air conditioning are a few of the amenities that made it unique.

3 RR Located along Orleans Avenue this theater was built at the edge of Treme, adjacent to the then- newly constructed Lafitte Projects. Both communities were almost entirely African American.

4 RR FIRST FLOOR PLAN Theater 1.) Mix Position Stage Lobby / Bar Service Vertical Circulation Horizontal Circulation Theater Support 2.) Recording / Production 3.) Box Office 4.) Green Room 5.) AV Room

5 RR SECOND FLOOR PLAN Theater & Stage Below Balcony Lobby / Bar Service Vertical Circulation Horizontal Circulation Theater Support 1.) Office 2.) Projector / Followspot 3.) Dimmer Room

6 RR The iconic sign essentially destroyed during Hurricane Isaac has been restored to its original character.

7 RR The additional volume attached to the back of the building was constructed in order to house the service spaces necessitated by modern day codes. In order to distinguish it from the historic exterior it is set back from the street; diminishing its prominence. Additionally, the volume is painted red along with the fence in order to further distinguish it from the historic twotone brick façade.

8 RR View of the theater and stage from the balcony.

9 RR Top: Sound mixing area and balcony above Bottom: Second floor bar

10 RR Stage with lighting, rigging, & sound components

11 RR Venue set up as a banquet hall with tables & chairs

12 Project Name: Carver Theater Project Location: 2101 Orleans Avenue New Orleans, LA Owner/Client: Carver Theater, LLC Architect of Record: Perez, APC 317 Burgundy Street, Suite 11 New Orleans, LA Project Team: Kyle Christiansen Joe Crowley Kevin Franklin Michael Glenboski Jerry Hudson Adie Kaplan Kris Lowry Karri Maggio Angela O Byrne William Sealy Daniel Taylor Bryan Whitman Victoria Yee Consultants: Associate Architect: Howard Performance Architecture Civil / Structural Engineer: Harmon Engineering, LLC Consultants (cont d): MEP Engineer: IMC Consulting Engineers, Inc. A/V: Bai, LLC Theatrical: Theatre Consultants Collaborative, Inc. Foodservice: FoodService Warehouse / Loubat Division General Contractor: Ellis Construction Photographer(s): Slides 5-10: Greg Miles RR-25.12