For more than 30 years, I've worked on buildings that feel truly irreplaceable, places where history, performance, and memory are embedded in every surface. The Citizens Opera House is one of those places.

And for me, the work there hasn't been a single project. It's been an ongoing story spanning more than two decades. That story begins at a critical moment in 2003.

Originally opened in 1928 as a movie palace designed by Thomas Lamb, the Opera House had fallen into severe disrepair in the 1990s and was at the brink of loss. In partnership with the Opera House, the City of Boston and preservation agencies, we led a full-scale renovation and expansion, restoring the exterior, historic murals, plaster, marble, and lighting while introducing modern systems and expanding the stage house for contemporary performance.

From there, the work became a series of focused, strategic interventions.

Between 2006 and 2007, we reactivated landmark spaces like the arcade, the parlor, and the Mirror Room, bringing it back to public use with a new bar and café function, restrooms, improved circulation, and carefully integrated systems.

In 2008 and 2009, we enhanced the theater itself, adding a hydraulic orchestra pit lift, an adjustable stage and removable seating to support a wide range of performance types.

From 2009 through 2020, we tackled a more practical issue: restrooms. While code complaint, they didn't meet the reality of a full house and a contractual 15-minute intermission. Through phased improvements, we expanded capacity, improved flow, and introduced carefully designed reversible solutions within historically designated areas.

And now, in 2025 and 2026, we’re pursuing a modernization of the existing marquee and signage, integrating new lighting and digital displays while respecting the building's historic identity.

Taken together, this work reflects something larger than a series of projects. It's a long-term stewardship of one of Boston's most treasured cultural landmarks, ensuring it continues to perform for generations to come.

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Take a look through photos of projects over the years: