Phoenixville's Colonial Theatre Holds $8 Million Groundbreaking

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- The Colonial Theatre held groundbreaking April 5 on what they termed a "long held surprise": $8 million worth of renovations on the storied, iconic theatre.

The public groundbreaking event was attended by board of directors, campaign team, staff, volunteers, members, and donors as the theatre revealed further details of the plans and celebrates the renovation.

The Colonial Theatre owns the adjacent Bank of Phoenixville Building, and will be adding two smaller theatres within that space.

According to the Theatre:

Through an adaptive re-use of the 11,000 square foot Bank Building, we’ll add two additional, smaller theatres with seating capacities of 175 and 70. One theatre will feature retractable seating and a balcony and the other, a stepped floor and luxurious fixtures. Other elements created through this building expansion will include: accessible restrooms, three-stop elevator, and a rooftop garden with adjacent garden suite. The garden suite will provide a community and rental space and feature a private restroom and wet bar. The rooftop garden will overlook Phoenixville’s Foundry. Finally, a loading dock will connect to the existing Colonial Theatre stage and a ‘headliner’ dressing room with private bathroom will be created in the Bank’s old vault. The resulting, “new” Colonial Theatre will consist of two buildings – the 1903 ‘vaudeville house’ and ca. 1925 Bank of Phoenixville building – connected at the current lobby. The current lobby will open into the bank’s own dramatic and spacious entryway which still boasts its original glass ceiling, sections of marble tile and wainscoting, and ornamental plaster.

Bridge Street was closed between Main and Gay Streets for the celebration on the 5th.

In April the Colonial Theatre will launch a separate website (www.BankontheArts.com) with detailed information about and ways to give to the Bank on the Arts capital campaign.

In the meantime, individuals interested in contributing to the project should email bankonthearts@thecolonialtheatre.com.