Chicago, Illinois

Newcastle managed a two-year, award-winning, $14-million renovation of Chicago’s landmark Auditorium Theatre while the theatre continued its performance schedule.

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The Need
The 114-year-old Auditorium Theatre is one of Chicago’s most important architectural works and a unique performing arts venue. In the late 1990s, the Auditorium Theatre Council’s Board of Directors realized that significant improvements were needed to assure the theatre’s future and meet the needs of modern productions and audiences. A $13-million State of Illinois Grant and a $1-million private gift provided the funding, but the theatre needed help to manage the complex project.

The Assignment
Newcastle oversaw the extensive renovation of the theatre, carefully balancing historic preservation concerns and real-world operating requirements. Over a tight, 24-month schedule, we assembled a high-profile team of consultants, negotiated contractor agreements, worked to achieve federal, state and local preservation approvals and managed grant funding and reporting. The team scheduled construction around the theatre’s ongoing performance program in order to maintain the venue's revenue stream during renovation.

The Result
The project restored Louis Sullivan’s decorative finishes, replaced major mechanical systems, and constructed a new stage, orchestra pit and dressing rooms. The result is a theatre that combines the best of its past with an enhanced ability to accommodate productions in the future.