Design Development Concept Plan
About the Vision Theatre The Vision Theatre was initially developed as the Leimert Theater by icons Walter Leimert and Howard Hughes as an art deco décor movie house centered in the 1932 Olympic Village. Designed by famed architects Olmstead & Olmstead, the theatre was one the first master planned communities in California, a concept that extensively impacted the real estate market in California. The Vision Theatre will provide affordable opportunities for a vast audience of local residents and tourist from around the State of CA and United States as well as provide skill development to the next generation of young artist seeking to celebrate and learn about African-American Culture 1930 s Era Photo It will also facilitate the preservation and continued experience of the contributions African-Americans have made to the music, film, theater and dance industry in California and through the United States and the world.
Ornate Marquee Features
Building Development Team Joint City of Los Angeles Agency Leadership Councilman Bernard C. Parks, CD 8 City Funding and Project Oversight Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering Construction Management Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles Fund Development Department of Cultural Affairs Operations/Facility Management Community Development Department Construction Funding and Historic Analysis Development Team Original Art Deco Marquee Dennis Rodriguez, Deputy Councilman Bernard C. Parks Ernest Dillihay, Performing Arts Director Department of Cultural Affairs Ejike Mbaruguru, Project Manager Bureau of Engineering Vijay Sehgal, AIA, Architect FSY Architects, Inc. Sherri Franklin, Development Consultant Urban Design Center
$22 Million Capital Campaign Land Acquisition $1,800,000 Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles Original Lobby Total Construction Funding as of 12/2009 - $10,268,750 $1,800,000 LA for Kids Proposition K - Manchester Jr. Arts Center Construction $1,300,000 LA for Kids Proposition K - Earned Interest - Manchester Jr. Arts Center Construction $1,818,186 City of Los Angeles General Fund - Predevelopment and Construction Funding $1,181,814 City of Los Angeles CDBG Year 31 - Predevelopment and Construction Funding $ 750,000 City of Los Angeles CDBG Yeah 34 - Predevelopment and Construction Funding $1,000,000 City of Los Angeles CDBG Yeah 36 - Predevelopment and Construction Funding $2,418,750 California Cultural Historical Endowment
The Historic Chamber Then Now
Current Vision Theater Interior Circular Promenade Lobby
Exterior, Lobby and Chamber Historical Considerations and Design Cues
Features of the New Vision Theater Adaptive reuse of a historic 1930 s era movie house modified from 1,050 seats to 750 seats to accommodate theatrical, film, concert and dance productions. Historically preserved to highlight the exterior art deco motif of the marquee, identifying tower and ornate building features and to preserve the unique audience chamber elements including the seating, wall features and beautiful mural ceiling. Added features will include: 75 foot flyloft to accommodate scenery and props for high end productions (the Peter Pan Effect) New wing space Men and Women s dressing rooms Orchestra pit Lounge State-of-the-art digital multimedia technology and electronic acoustic systems Development of the Manchester Jr. Arts Center on the second floor which will provide hands on training for local youth in stage craft, computer application for the entertainment lighting industry, technical production, theater management, sound design, production planning, American Theater Practice and Law of the Arts and house and box office management. Adapted to include ADA and Fire, Life Safety code compliance as well as LEED Silver Certification criteria
Construction Phases Phase I Phase II Phase III Flyloft and Basement Phase IV Equipment and T. I. MJAC and Marquee Audience Chamber 1. Renovation of historical lobby and entrance vestibule 2. Addition of a new elevator to second floor 3. Renovation of public restrooms and stairs 4. Creation of Manchester Jr. Arts Center on the second floor above the lobby including public restrooms for students 5. Restoration of the historical ceiling in the audience chamber 6. Upgrade mechanical & electrical systems in the audience chamber 7. Complete restoration/renovation of theatre marquee and sign tower at the exterior 1. Removal and storage of existing seating 2. Installation of new audience chamber platform seating 3. Creation of new control room 4. Creation of ADA compliant access and egress to/from the audience chamber 5. Completion of mechanical and electrical upgrades 6. Installation of new: Audio/video Theatrical lighting and rigging House lighting for audience chamber 1. Construction of new Fly-loft 2. Creation of new loading and receiving area 3. Renovation and expansion of the stage 4. Construction of new quick change area 5. Construction of new back of the house offices 6. Construction of new basement containing: Orchestra pit Green rooms Woman s and Men s dressing rooms Trap room 1. Acoustical enhancement system 2. Production drapery and rigging 3. Audio/visual system and controls 4. House lighting systems and controls 5. Control booth equipment 6. Lighting distribution system 7. Theatrical light fixtures 8. Fly-loft articulation 9. Tenant Improvements for the: Basement Lounge Backstage Second floor Please note that phases do not include cost for off-site work, subsurface utilities or operations.
New Partnerships - Expanded Capacity Manchester Jr. Arts Center Program Partners (Partial List) Los Angeles Institute for Film Education (LIFE) Crenshaw High School Dorsey High School Audubon Middle School View Park Prep Middle and High Schools Los Angeles Urban League Culture and Language Academy for Success (CLAS) Presentation and Event Partners (Partial List) Debbie Allen Dance Theater A training and touring youth dance company Lula Washington Dance Theater A training and touring youth African and modern dance company Robey Theater - A local Theatre production company celebrating African-American theatre. Pan African Film Festival An annual film festival The Expo Center Los Angeles Phil Harmonic Youth Orchestra a youth harmonic orchestra training program which will feature its concerts and recitals at the Vision Theater utilizing the new orchestra pit
A Catalyst for Revitalization The attraction value of the Vision Theatre will drive the revitalization of the historic Olmstead & Olmstead designed Leimert Park Village in South Los Angeles.