If construction be the food of love, build on. That’s how that Shakespeare quote goes, right? Regardless, building is exactly what Chicago Shakespeare and Navy Pier are doing when it comes to the new lakefront theater, known as The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, which will begin construction this spring at Navy Pier.
Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the new theater will be as resourceful, sustainable, and adaptive as possible while still providing a world-class theater experience. The Yard is being constructed at the site of what was formerly the Skyline Stage, and is repurposing some components from that venue, which was located adjacent to Chicago Shakespeare. The new theater will be connected to the existing facility, which already houses two other theaters, through expanded lobbies, and will have the ability to be configured in myriad of shapes and sizes that will accommodate audiences ranging from 150 to 850 people.
A few of the main features from the Skyline Stage that are being repurposed are the backstage support spaces and the stagehouse. A fully enclosed, indoor theater chamber is being constructed beneath the white dome and a movable set of structural audience “towers” allows for directors and designers to create a space that works best for their specific performances.
These mobile towers are the size of a city bus stood up on its end and contain three levels of seating each. In addition to the seats, the towers will house theatrical technology and connect into a network of HVAC components and sprinkler systems.
The project will cost $35 million and is expected to be funded by a combination of a $15 million investment by Navy Pier, Inc. and $20 million in capital funding from the theater's Our City, Our Shakespeare Campaign.
The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare is a smaller piece in the grand scheme of James Corner Field Operation’s Pierscape redesign project, which looks to update and transform Navy Pier into a global destination.
“Creating this state-of-the-art performance venue is another step in the redevelopment of Navy Pier to ensure that it remains one of Chicago’s premier centers for commerce but also for culture and I want to thank Chicago Shakespeare for their tremendous contribution to that effort,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel was quoted as saying in a press release.
The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare will be opened in Fall 2017, just in time for the 2017-18 season.
Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Rendering courtesy © Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
Related Stories
| Mar 29, 2012
Construction completed on Las Vegas’ newest performing arts center
The Smith Center will be the first major multi-purpose performance center in the U.S. to earn Silver LEED certification.
| Dec 5, 2011
Summit Design+Build begins renovation of Chicago’s Esquire Theatre
The 33,000 square foot building will undergo an extensive structural remodel and core & shell build-out changing the building’s use from a movie theater to a high-end retail center.
| Oct 11, 2011
Pink light bulbs donated to Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
For every Bulbrite Pink Light Bulb that is purchased through the Cancer Center Thrift Shop, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to help support breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.
| Sep 9, 2011
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City opens this month
Theatre Projects played the lead role in theatre design and planning as well as in engineering the customized theatre equipment. BNIM in Kansas City served as the executive architect.
| May 18, 2011
Carnegie Hall vaults into the 21st century with a $200 million renovation
Historic Carnegie Hall in New York City is in the midst of a major $200 million renovation that will bring the building up to contemporary standards, increase educational and backstage space, and target LEED Silver.
| Apr 12, 2011
Long-awaited San Francisco center is music to jazz organization’s ears
After 28 years, SFJAZZ is getting its first permanent home. The San Francisco-based nonprofit, which is dedicated to advancing the art of jazz through concerts and educational programs, contracted local design firm Mark Cavagnero Associates and general contractor Hathaway Dinwiddie to create a modern performance center in the city’s Hayes Valley neighborhood
| Feb 11, 2011
Sustainable features on the bill for dual-building performing arts center at Soka University of America
The $73 million Soka University of America’s new performing arts center and academic complex recently opened on the school’s Aliso Viejo, Calif., campus. McCarthy Building Companies and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects collaborated on the two-building project. One is a three-story, 47,836-sf facility with a grand reception lobby, a 1,200-seat auditorium, and supports spaces. The other is a four-story, 48,974-sf facility with 11 classrooms, 29 faculty offices, a 150-seat black box theater, rehearsal/dance studio, and support spaces. The project, which has a green roof, solar panels, operable windows, and sun-shading devices, is going for LEED Silver.
| Feb 11, 2011
Kentucky’s first green adaptive reuse project earns Platinum
(FER) studio, Inglewood, Calif., converted a 115-year-old former dry goods store in Louisville, Ky., into a 10,175-sf mixed-use commercial building earned LEED Platinum and holds the distinction of being the state’s first adaptive reuse project to earn any LEED rating. The facility, located in the East Market District, houses a gallery, event space, offices, conference space, and a restaurant. Sustainable elements that helped the building reach its top LEED rating include xeriscaping, a green roof, rainwater collection and reuse, 12 geothermal wells, 81 solar panels, a 1,100-gallon ice storage system (off-grid energy efficiency is 68%) and the reuse and recycling of construction materials. Local firm Peters Construction served as GC.
| Jan 21, 2011
Music festival’s new home showcases scenic setting
Epstein Joslin Architects, Cambridge, Mass., designed the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Mass., to showcase the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, as well at the site’s ocean views.
