The 5th Avenue Theatre

2,107 SEATS REPLACED

SQUARE FEET ADA SEATING & ACCESS FLOORING

JTM completed an overall refresh of a 90-year-old landmark theatre.

The project included lobby improvements, a new donor lounge, new carpet replicating the original 1926 lobby carpet, and expanded restroom facilities adjacent to the south wall of the theatre lobby, increasing capacity and allowing for the addition of a grand staircase down to a lower concourse. System improvements included theatrical sound and lighting upgrades. JTM also demolished over 2,100 seats, removed auditorium carpeting, and installed 1,250-square-feet of ADA seating, access flooring, and a new power supply for lighting at the new seats. The project deadline required detailed work plans and a tight schedule, with careful protection of existing decorative plaster and silk tapestries throughout. Additional work included back-of-house support spaces such as restrooms, a dressing room, a sound and light lock adjacent to the main room, a remote storage room on a bi-level, and a remote AV control room on the parking level below.

Specifications

Project Team

Project Specifications

Address: 1308 5th Avenue, Seattle, WA

Client: The 5th Avenue Theatre & UNICO

Architect: Weaver Architects

Structural Engineer: MLA Engineering

Size: 15,919 SF

Supporting a Non-Profit Client

The 5th Avenue Theatre has been a valued repeat client of JTM for many years. In late 2019, the theatre engaged JTM to support a major auditorium renovation that included replacing seat flooring, improving ADA accessibility, and upgrading MEP infrastructure. JTM provided five months of preconstruction services before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the theatre and its operations.

To support the 5th Avenue Theatre through the financial challenges of the pandemic, JTM implemented several strategies. The team donated 2% of its fee as an in-kind contribution at the final GMP to support the arts. Specific line items in the GMP estimate and schedule of values were broken out to help the theatre maximize tax deductions for eligible expenses. JTM also expedited cost estimate studies and project schedule updates to assist the owner in successfully applying for Shuttered Venue Operators Grants and multiple Washington State Historical Society Grants.