LEVER is honored to collaborate with Artists Repertory Theatre, a leading regional theater company, on the transformation of their home in downtown Portland. The project follows the planned sale of a portion of their site and consolidates the current building program into a renewed facility totaling 30,000 sf.

To increase the theater’s visibility and public interface with the neighborhood, the design converts a former driveway into a new entry lobby and café/bar. A dramatic glass volume containing rehearsal space will cantilever over the lobby, framing the building entry. Inside, the new 250-seat and 99-seat theaters will support the company’s emphasis on intimate productions. Improved back of house and expanded support spaces will further enable the company’s ArtsHub program which allows outside arts organizations to utilize space in the building. 

Creating a design that amplifies Artists Rep’s artistic work and engagement without losing the original building’s warmth and experimental character is a priority for the project. To that end, the building’s timber structure—which includes massive glulam beams as deep as six feet—will be refurbished and “raised” to accommodate higher clearances in the theater spaces.

To learn more about Artists Rep and their upcoming season please visit, http://www.artistsrep.org/.