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The Development Plan for the Property

In a manner worthy of one the nation’s most historically significant performance venues, The Howard Theatre renovation will be executed to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures, guidelines that form the backbone of American Historic Preservation laws, regulations, and standards. Martinez & Johnson I Architecture, the Architects who will lead the design effort, are recognized leaders in the application of these standards and with the preservation process. Based in Washington, DC, MJ I A is an LSDBE architectural practice with deep community roots and decades of experience working with the District’s preservation community including both the regulatory side [the Historic Preservation office of the Office of Planning] and the advisory groups including the DC Preservation League, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and community associations.

Over the last decade, MJ I A has executed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of construction that became certified for investment tax credits, ensuring the very highest levels of preservation compliance. Much of the firm’s work has in fact focused on historic theatre renovations and adaptive reuse, designed to the same standards and employing the same preservation dialogue that would be followed in the renovation of The Howard Theatre.

At The Howard, the proposed design and planning work would begin in a direction that facilitates and complements the preservation process. Built and used as a live music and theatrical venue in the heart of the historic Shaw neighborhood, it will be restored to that original purpose, and the renovation work [including restoration of the exterior masonry facades] will be limited to the original building envelope or volume, retaining the physical configuration and character defining features. The scope of the effort is intended to be in accordance with the Solicitation of Offers for The Howard Theatre that envisions the renovated facility to be for mixed-use entertainment, a 600 person live entertainment venue with dining and beverage amenities. Symbiotic but not competitive with the other stars in the constellation of Washington theatres, venues such as its sister stage, The Lincoln Theatre, The Howard will focus on music while other facilities have different but aligned missions. The Howard will also share its rich history through a series of interpretive displays throughout the building creating ‘theatre as museum’ to enrich, educate, and enlighten patrons and the visiting public.

The new program consists mainly of three major overlapping components:

• The Audience Chamber will incorporate a medium-sized Stage for a variety of performances, primarily concerned with live music with flexible seating for a variety of programmed and special events for 500 to 600 patrons

• Upscale food and beverage services [with supporting infrastructure including kitchens, staging, and loading / receiving] will complement a destination entertainment experience

• Community use including educational programming for a wide range of participants will occur in classrooms, recording studios, and the theatre itself

All these events will be housed in a restored facility that will recreate or recall the grandeur of the great days of the Howard. Although over the years [especially since the theatre fell out of use] the building has been altered and architectural detail has been lost, photographic evidence and the remaining architecture found in similar theatres will provide clues toward the implementation of an appropriate level of detail and character. The ‘bones’ of the surviving theatre indicate an intimate performer to patron connection as the sweeping balcony and the wide but shallow proportions of the orchestra level ensure that will always be a close relationship from even the furthest areas of the house to the stage. The Orchestra Level floor will be overbuilt as three individual level tiers [over the original sloped floor] allowing for either rows of chairs and tables, more flexible seating configurations or even removed seating for a wooden dance floor. The Balcony Level will retain its first six rows with improved seating, tables and waiter service followed by a patron lounge occupying the old projection room level. Consequently, the experience for performer and patron alike can vary between traditional theatre ambience and a cabaret style layout.

Like many historic theatres, The Howard had modest provisions for both performers and patrons. In a modern scenario with added and improved entertainment programming, there are increased requirements for both support spaces and technical areas. The proposed scheme seeks to recapture space under the Stage, under the Auditorium, under the small entry lobby, and above the Stage House, all within the envelope of the building. New mechanical systems and improved power supply also need to be incorporated as do modern life safety and accessibility provisions. Generally, the approach in this development plan seeks to balance an historic atmosphere unique to the building with the incorporation of new technology and building systems.

The Stage House will have new accessible Dressing Rooms at Stage level, public bathrooms above the Dressing Rooms accessed from the Balcony wings, and Administrative space on a new level 25 feet above the Stage. The Stage itself will have an appropriate level of lighting, sound, and video equipment and infrastructure to accommodate a wide variety of performance product. Theatrical rigging, winches, and motors will provide flexibility through two lighting trusses at upstage and downstage positions, speakers, monitors, curtains, baffles, etc. An antepro [on the auditorium side of the proscenium] grid will be installed to maximize flexibility and optimize stage illumination and effects. The two loading doors at the rear of the Stage will be widened and acoustically sealed.

The Education area will primarily be located under the Stage, accessible to the house but generally accessed separately as to allow for multiple and simultaneous operations. Two combinable Classroom / Rehearsal Rooms will each have an adjunct technology lab and storage space for instruments. A trap or lift can convey props, musical instruments, tables and chairs, and other equipment from the Basement to the Stage. In the reclaimed area under the Auditorium will be a block of space for flexible storage, extra Dressing rooms and performer support, Green Room functions and mechanical areas. Toward the front of the Basement on the north side will be a 1200 SF Kitchen with the capability of providing sit down meals nightly for 200 to 300 patrons. There will be serving / staging bars for providing beverages and light refreshments. The dining experience will be ‘upscale’ with waiter service. The loading of food products, equipment, and occasional catered operations for special events before and after hours will be through an existing opening on the north elevation facilitated by a designated lift to the Basement.

Patron support areas will balance retaining the scale and character of the existing spaces with the need to provide more extensive and convenient services. Toilets will be located in the Basement and at the Balcony level accessed by stairs and an elevator. Tickets and passes will be available in a Box Office off the Main Lobby foyer, flanked by a small retail presence merchandizing products associated with the theatre and the theatre’s performers, past and present. The entire renovated Howard Theatre will function as a museum or interpretive area, utilizing photographs and artifacts from the theatre and the surrounding neighborhood. The Howard Theatre will always remain linked to its past, celebrating the multitude of international caliber performers who once made it their home, while developing its own contemporary identity and developing a new generation of patrons. The educational aspect seeks to extend this community nexus into the future by nurturing new generations of performers and appreciators of live entertainment.