California Theatre, San Jose

The 60,500-sq.-ft. project included a three-story limestone building for performer support facilities, and a new two-story building for restrooms, mechanical, and service facilities. The stage well was deepened, the orchestra pit was enlarged, new floors were installed for the orchestra and balcony sections, and additional structural support was added to the weathered building.

When the curtain rose last fall on Opera San Jose's performance of "The Marriage of Figaro," the audience viewed the exquisite renovation of the historic California Theatre in its full grandeur. The original proscenium arch framed a new, enlarged stage house. Wurlitzer pipe organs sounded from behind elegantly restored organ lofts, and repainted high ceilings complemented color schemes in the foyer and mezzanine.

"The goal was to restore the building to its 1927 elegance and to bring back the features that had been lost through the years," said Bob Ruff, program manager for the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, which owns the theater. "When people enter the building, we want them to get the feeling of the beauty and the character of the theater back then."

As construction manager of the $66-million project, Rudolph and Sletten acted as a representative of the Redevelopment Agency and worked closely with the Packard Humanities Institute, the project's key financial contributor. Swinerton Builders served as general contractor and ELS Architecture and Urban Design was the architect.

The restoration and expansion of the theater, which was originally designed by Weeks and Day, began in 2001. The challenge was to revive the theater's former grace while modernizing the facilities to meet the needs of today's audiences.

Judges' Comments:

"Excellent. A beautifully done restoration."

Project Team:

Owner: The Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jose
Architect: ELS Architects and Urban Design
Construction manager: Rudolph and Sletten
General contractor: Swinerton Builders
Engineering team:
Brian Kangas Foulk (civil)
Guttmann & Blaevoet (mechanical)
Rutherford & Chekene (structural)
Engineering Enterprise (electrical)
Key subcontractors:
ACCO Engineered Systems (plumbing)
Aire Sheet Metal (HVAC)
Jos. J. Albanese (concrete)
Carrara Marble Co. of America (stone)
Ceitronics (A/V and communications)
Evergreene Painting Studios (decorative painting)
Musson Theatrical Inc. (theatrical lighting)
Protech Theatrical Services (stage work)
Raymond Interiors Systems (interiors)
Rosendin Electric, Inc. (electric)
Wagner Electric Sign Co. (signage)

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