Strand Theater

The Strand in Summit has been completely gutted—the roof was removed, and the facade demolished. The two side walls and stage remain with some metal roof trusses over them. The space was filled in open air mall style. The stage house is a small cafe with access on the side.

Listed in the 1944 FDY.

Joe’s comment may sound bad, but I must say, I just saw it yesterday for the first time by accident and geez, it was beautiful. Sure they really transformed it, it looks like some high-end European modern architect had a field day, but at least they didn’t tear it down. It is quite unique!

I was cycling yesterday from the west and came up a long hill to Summit center and saw the Strand. The stagehouse is a Japanese restaurant with yes, a side entrance. The lobby and auditorium looks like a glass/steel shell that’s modern and I believe it was retail and a gallery? I only had a few minutes to look before I caught the train. But there’s a gap between the glass/steel and brick stagehouse of about maybe 12-15 feet and it’s a pedestrian promenade more than it is a mall.

The only other reuse I liked about this was the Darien, CT Playhouse in that stores were on the lower level and the theatre was still there, but with another entrance since the front lobby was a clothing store.

Old program:
http://im1.shu
tterfly.com/media/47a0dd38b3127ccef9f29e625ffe00000030O08IZsW7Zwzcg9vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/