Rapids Theater in Niagara Falls, NY gets $1.8 million in renovations

posted by CSWalczak on December 14, 2009 at 7:49 am

NIAGARA FALLS, NY — In its almost 90 years of existence, the Rapids Theater has been at various times a cinema and nightclub, and will now host a variety of live performances. Born in 1921 as Shea’s Bellevue, the theater has had several names.

“The extent of the damage in here was incredible,” said John Hutchins, president of Hutch Enterprises and the building’s developer. “It was painted black and battleship gray. It was just disgusting.”

Workers peeled back mirrors from the walls, replaced the floor, added recessed lighting and replicated intricate molding that had chipped off in large chunks. The restoration also included the addition of a new sound and lighting system, an electronic marquee and a custom-built maple wood bar.

The full article is in the Buffalo News.

Theaters in this post

• Rapids Theatre