FARMINGTON, CT — The newly restored Fairfield Community Theater — now known as the Sacred Heart University Community Theatre — has been racking up industry awards and accolades. The latest recognition was announced at the Associated Builders and Contractors - Connecticut Chapter’s annual Excellence in Construction awards event, where the project earned a merit award in the special projects category. Earlier this year, the Connecticut Building Congress also recognized the project with a merit award.

The cultural entertainment venue has existed, in one form or another, for more than 100 years on a prime street corner in downtown Fairfield, Connecticut. Opened as a vaudeville theater in the 1920s, the theater lived through numerous transformations over the years. It was a traditional theater, then an independent movie theater, then a chain movie theater, until 2010, when then-owner Lowe’s Theaters closed the facility.

Since then, the 22,000-square-foot building had been mouldering behind locked doors while community leaders, townspeople, and area businesses talked about ways to revitalize this landmark and the downtown area along with it. Ultimately, Kleban Properties, a Fairfield-based development firm, acquired the property, with a plan to gut the interior and preserve the structure while offering a “white box” space ready for commercial lease.

KBE Building Corporation of Farmington, Connecticut, was brought on board to plan and manage the renovation, working with J.P. Franzen Architects Associates, located in Fairfield, Connecticut. The interior was stripped down to the studs and the exterior façade restored.

But just as the interior fit-out work was getting underway, nearby Sacred Heart University (SHU), approached the owners with a proposition: Let SHU lease the space for 10 years to use as a community setting for its theater program, as well as provide film and other entertainment opportunities to the community.

And in that moment, the project changed from a relatively straightforward “white box” project to a comprehensive custom fit-out to support theatrical and multi-media performances.

The expansion provides a new and larger stage, a balcony with a skybox, a renovated front office, and new digital technology. The original stage and proscenium arch were preserved and converted to green room and office areas. The existing seating was replaced with 446 stadium-style seats. The scope of work included all new building systems, new finishes throughout, mezzanine gathering area, reception, ticket booth, green room, and new neon marquee.