Originally built in 1928 as a neighborhood movie house, the Beacon Theatre has long been a recognizable part of downtown Hopewell. After years of decline, the City saw an opportunity to restore the building as an active performance venue—bringing new life to a historic asset while supporting the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community.
Client
J.W. Enochs, Inc. / Beacon Theatre LLC
Location
Hopewell, Virginia
Total Project Cost
$145,000
Size
16,800 sq. ft.
Services
Architecture, Interior Design
CPL led the design for the two-phase rehabilitation of the 16,800 sq. ft. theatre, transforming it into a flexible, multi-use venue for performing arts. The project required a careful balance: preserving the building’s architectural character while introducing the systems and infrastructure needed to support contemporary performances.
Phase I focused on stabilizing and restoring the building’s exterior presence. Work included cleaning and repointing the brick façade, restoring original windows, doors and storefronts, replacing the roof, and rehabilitating the theatre’s entrance sequence, including the marquee and signage. These improvements reestablished the building’s visibility and presence along the street.
Phase II addressed the interior, returning key spaces to active use while adapting them for modern performance requirements. The lobby, auditorium, balcony and stage were restored to reflect their historic character, with details such as plaster ornamentation, fabric wall treatments, and the signature red curtain reinforcing the atmosphere of an early 20th-century theatre.
At the same time, new sound, lighting and building systems were carefully integrated within the existing structure—requiring close coordination to maintain the integrity of character-defining elements while meeting current performance standards.
Additional improvements included the rehabilitation of an adjacent building to support theatre operations, providing administrative offices, dressing areas and expanded public amenities.
For performers, staff and audiences, the renewed theatre offers a functional, immersive environment that supports a wide range of events. For the City, it restores a prominent historic structure as an active destination—strengthening downtown activity and creating new opportunities for community engagement.
The completed project reestablishes the Beacon Theatre as both a cultural venue and a civic anchor, demonstrating how targeted investment and thoughtful design can return a long-dormant building to everyday use.
