The Music Hall, the landmark 1878 Victorian theater in the elegant seaport of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, opened its new Beaux Arts Lobby in September 2008, as it kicked off the 2008-2009 season with the Tenth Telluride by the Sea film weekend. Patrons got a first glimpse of the lobby on Friday, September 19. And, on Saturday morning, September 20, a symposium on the lobby design and construction entitled “Reimagining an American Treasure” was held in the hall, moderated by Eve Kahn, NYC-based architecture and design writer and critic whose work has been published in The New York Times, , I.D., Art & Auction, and The Wall Street Journal. Panelists included designer Jason McLean of McLean Designs, Architect John Merkle of TMS Architects, construction manager John DeStefano of DeStefano & Associates, and Music Hall Executive Director Patricia Lynch, whose vision for the public space drove its design and use. The lobby’s striking design and 21st century amenities – including expanded restrooms and spacious meeting space – was talked about as a breakthrough in architecture for a community space. It represents the work of craftsmen from far and near, including 31 New Hampshire businesses, and reflects the Beaux Arts design and history of the grand Victorian theater above.

Lobby Design & Construction pamphlet (pdf)

This resource has been protected with assistance from the
NH Land and Community Heritage Investment Program

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Press play to see the finished lobby:

All slideshow photos and header image copyright Dan Gair Blind Dog Photo

 

 

Press Coverage

Music Hall wows' 'em (Portsmouth Herald, 9/20/08)		National Trust for Historic Preservation (Web Article)
New Lobby Honors Spirit of the Past (Boston Globe, 10/2/08)		Music Hall Takes Community a Step Ahead (Portsmouth Herald Editorial, 9/20/08)
“...the most amazing transformation..” (WMUR-TV, NH Chronicle, May 28, 2009)		A Magical Lobby (New Hampshire Home, April 2009)

 

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Lobby Symposium — Design & Construction, 9/20/08

Listen to the full Symposium Program audio by clicking play

Symposium Press Coverage, Video

Symposium outlines work behind Music Hall Lobby Renovation (Portsmouth Herald, 9/21/08)

 

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Summer 2008 Press Coverage — NY Times, Traditional Bldg

New York Times "This Land" article (7/21/08)		Traditional Bulding Magazine (August 2008)
"This Land" slideshow		New lobby honors Music Hall heroes (Portsmouth Herald, 9/15/08)

 

Lobby in Process Slideshow

 

Press play to see the in process slideshow

All photos Copyright Quentin Stockwell© used with permission.

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July 14, 2008 - Press Release

Excavation Nearing End In New Entrance Lobby

In early July 2008 The Music Hall concluded the most ambitious work of its lobby renovation, the excavation of approximately 700 cubic yards (2.8 million pounds!) of rock ledge beneath the theater to make room for a 2,600 square foot entrance lobby opening in September.  Finish work on the expanded new space has begun, involving local, regional, and national designers, engineers, and artists.  Said Patricia Lynch, The Music Hall’s Executive Diretor, “As we enter the final phase of work, I can say with certainty we’ll accomplish our goals – to provide patrons the single biggest upgrade in services in the Hall’s 130-year history, to become as ‘green’ as possible within the antique space, and to reflect the Beaux Arts design and history of the grand Victorian theater but with striking 21st century amenities. At last our 100,000 patrons each year will gain the space and services they deserve.”    

Read More (pdf)

Portsmouth Herald Article	Foster's Daily Democrat Article
The Union Leader Article

January 1, 2008 - Press Release

Address Urgent Needs :
Fix The Lobby, Improve Restrooms!

As you join us for shows, you will quickly discover that we’ve begun work on urgent improvements to the lobby, opening Fall 2008. In the meantime, we hope you’ll pardon our appearance, as we fix what’s broken and make better spaces for all our patrons. As we work, amenities will remain largely the same. Throughout the spring and summer, as we continue to provide a full schedule of films and live performances you will notice signs of construction in the lower lobby and restrooms. We’re working deliberately and carefully so as to minimally impact you, our patrons, and performers. The plans below, drawn by TMS architects, show what’s to come…..

• new family restroom and larger men’s room
• spacious women’s room with easy accessibility – nine stalls!
• no more cold lobby, dramatically increased energy efficiency - new vestibules keep the lobby temperature stable through all seasons.
• expanded new concession and gathering space
• improved elevator with increased accessibility and ease of use
• new box office relocated to front of the building

Click to enlarge