The Ats United Center, an architectural marvel designed by Louis Kahn in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a popular attraction among international visitors. Globally, numerous historic theaters are succumbing to their age, left with the choice of being demolished or refurbished by skilled architectural conservators.
Several mid-century modern theaters, extending from coast to coast, have undergone renovations or extensions in the past eight years. These include David Geffen Hall situated in New York’s Lincoln Center, Houston’s Alley Theatre (now known as Meredith J. Long Theatre Center), the Music Center in Los Angeles, and the Music Pavilion at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In recent times, multiple mid-century theater revamps have been wrapped up, are in the pipelines, or are in the planning stages. Noteworthy among them is the preservation and modernization overseen by Page & Turnbull of the emblematic Crest Theatre located in Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood. This cinema and performing arts venue have been rebranded as the UCLA Nimoy Theater.
At present, the restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalita Humphreys Theater in Dallas is a matter of ongoing discussion. This involves a “$300 million “surgical restoration” and “selective reconstruction” of the 1959 construction, Wright’s only theater commission. The forthcoming extension and enhancements to the Louis Kahn-designed Arts United Center in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, are also of significance.
The chronicle of the Arts United Center began in the late 1950s, coinciding with the development of New York’s Lincoln Center. At that time, the Fine Arts Foundation in Fort Wayne was pursuing a new downtown location for arts and culture, eventually hiring the influential architect, Louis I. Kahn, to design the Arts United Center.
Unveiled in October 1973, the Arts United Center was Kahn’s final design and his only performing arts center. It was his only commission in the Midwest and the last opening ceremony he would attend. Since then, Arts United Center is recognized as an architectural gem in Fort Wayne and globally.
Fast forward fifty years to late 2023, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne — formerly the Fine Arts Foundation — kickstarted the public phase of a $40 million venture aimed at expanding and enhancing the Arts United Center. This restoration’s groundwork will begin in June 2024.
Designing the center was a significant milestone achieved by Louis Kahn, notes Madelane Elston, who serves as the Master Planning Committee chair for Arts United. People from across the globe come to witness and experience the center’s grandeur. The center’s revival aims to stay true to Kahn’s concepts while refurbishing the building to suit today’s needs and support the arts community more comprehensively.
There are numerous hurdles to tackle during the restoration. These include the reinvigoration and expansion of rehearsal spaces while also extensively upgrading technical capacities and event production facilities. The overhaul aims to preserve the original design elements. A major challenge is the outdated infrastructure that pre-dates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to Dan Ross, the president and CEO of Arts United, the team from MKM architecture + design intends to respect Louis Kahn’s work while updating the theater for future generations. Inside the existing building, changes are being carried out respectfully, with particular attention to accessibility, environmental efficiency, advanced technology, and customer facilities. Major updates such as passenger and service elevators and family toilets will be added to the east and west extensions of the structure.
Observers may notice similarities between the proposed makeover of the Kalita Humphreys once the Arts United Center reopens in the fall of 2025. Both projects seek to modernize while respecting the architectural legacy left by renowned architects.