One of the main cultural venues in the greater Kingston region, the Grand serves as the prime performing arts venue for professional and amateur performances in ballet, modern dance, drama, musicals and comedy and is the home of the Kingston Symphony Orchestra. The building houses a 762 seat auditorium; the Baby Grand, a 130 seat black box theatre; two lounges used for receptions and art exhibits; as well as a lobby and backstage facilities.
The entry has been updated with a elegant and durable metal panel system and new illuminated marquee designed to compliment and enhance the facade.
The theatre has been dramatically transformed from a dark and dated space to a vibrant engaging hall reminiscent of its turn of the century heritage.
The removal of the existing structural steel columns in the balcony opens up the space allowing for greater audience visibility with no obstructed sight-lines. The ground floor of the auditorium was re-worked to maximize sight-lines and new, wider theatre seats were installed throughout to increase leg-room and audience comfort. The addition of a new orchestra pit lift allows greater flexibility and provides the orchestra with generous unimpeded performance space.
The auditorium's existing low plaster ceilings were removed exposing the heavy timber roof trusses. These trusses, having sagged with age, were structurally supplanted by lighting catwalks designed to take the load of the roof. The increased volume dramatically improves the acoustics and enhances the interior space. The original walls made from Kingston limestone and red brick were also exposed. These changes have transformed the hall from a low, dark auditorium with poor acoustics and minimal performance capability, to a magnificent, performance space.
The existing stage was removed and a basement dug out to provide additional performance preparation space below stage. This multi-purpose room provides much needed assembly space for the Kingston Symphony and other performers, with direct access to the orchestra pit.
A new pit lift allows the theatre to change the configuration of the stage silently and with great ease. The pit lift also facilitates easy movement of pianos and theatre sets between the stage and the multi-purpose room. The stage itself is outfitted with new rigging, additional lighting circuits and dimming capacity, and new audio capability. A new fire curtain replaces the old asbestos filled curtain. Three new wood clad curved overhead reflectors can be lowered into place when needed. Combined with six movable 20 foot high stage towers, they serve to reflect sound generated by musical performances into the audience while providing a pleasing visual backdrop.
Back-of-house dressing rooms and performer washrooms received a face-lift with new vanities, lighting, washroom and shower fixtures and upgraded mechanical systems. New washrooms were also added within the multi-purpose room. Video monitoring infrastructure was added throughout the stage, dressing rooms and auditorium.
The lobby area was consolidated around a two-storey atrium space, which comes alive with the sparkle of three new chandeliers. New carpeting and Sapele wood fascia panels and handrails create a warm ambience in the lobby. A reconfigured bar allows patrons to easily flow into the expanded courtyard. The lobby is now equipped with a new sound system and audio/video capability.
The exterior courtyard was enclosed by the addition of a new second floor lounge. This courtyard still serves as a pedestrian link between the parking garage south of the theatre, and Princess Street, the main commercial street in downtown Kingston.
The new 1,000 square foot lounge above the existing courtyard serves as lobby overflow space and as a separate venue for small events. The room includes beautifully detailed built-in millwork that conceals a portable bar, beverage coolers and storage. This room also incorporates an art rail to facilitate changing art exhibits. The new lounge can be opened up to the renovated Baby Grand Lounge to provide an expanded lobby/promenade that accommodates a large number of patrons, whether in conjunction with performances taking place in the main theatre, or for self-contained events. A new handicap lift provides access to the second floor promenade level and both lounges.
The Baby Grand, a much-used black box theatre, was refurbished with new wall and floor finishes and acoustic shutters over the existing windows. By adding a second exit, the capacity of this venue increased from 66 to 130. The Baby Grand's theatrical capability also increased with the addition of a new overhead pipe grid with integral curtain tracks, increase lighting and dimming capacity, and audio infrastructure. A new mechanical system provides much improved ventilation including air conditioning and heating.
The existing lounge adjacent to the Baby Grand was redesigned to act as a lobby for the Baby Grand or as a separate reception space. This lounge is equipped with a portable bar, built-in counter, wet bar area and audio/video capability. New washrooms were also added to serve the Baby Grand and the Lounge.
The administrative offices were consolidated to better serve the theatre and to provide improved accessibility for the public. A thirty-six foot long cabinet and layout counter was built into the east wall of the offices to unify the space and provide much needed storage.
The mechanical systems were revamped providing greater efficiency and control, with greatly improved air quality especially in the auditorium. The electrical systems were also upgraded with increased power supply and redistribution to allow greater flexibility throughout the theatre. Lighting throughout the lobby and lounge spaces can now be dimmed to accomodate a great number of moods and functions. Sprinkler and life safety systems throughout the building were brought up to current code standards.
The Grand Theatre Quick Facts
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Total | $17 Million Cdn |
| Size | |
| Building Footprint | 14,700 sf |
| New Lounge | 1066 sf |
| New Interior Courtyard | 1066 sf |
| New Multi-Puroose Room | 1230 sf |
| Theatre seating capacity | 762 |
| Baby Grand seating capacity | 130 |
Project Team
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Diamond and Schmitt Architects
- Donald Schmitt, Principal
- Antra Roze, Associate
- Ryan Mitchell
- Dennis Giobbe
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Shoalts and Zaback Architects
- Gerry Shoalts, Principal
- Jamie Rickard
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Structural Engineers
- Roney Engineering Ltd.
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Mechanical & Electrical Engineers
- Crossey Engineering Ltd.
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Code Consultant
- Leber Rubes Inc.
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Acoustics/Audio-Video Consultants
- Jaffe Holden Acoustics
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Civil Engineers
- Josselyn Engineering Inc.
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Theatre Consultant
- Theatre Consultants Collaborative LCC.
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General Contractor
- Asco Construction
