The Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Haymount continues its extensive renovation project aimed at revitalizing and expanding the historic theater building, with plans to build a grand lobby and rooftop event space for live performances and parties.
Ella Wrenn, managing director at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, said the $1 million Phase 1 renovation of the theater auditorium was completed in 2021. Now, the theater at 1209 Hay St. is well into Phase 2, with the goal of updating the entire facility. She said the latest projections place the cost between $20-$22 million. The 1962 building was last renovated in 1988. She said that thanks to support from the state, which contributed $7.1 million, and city, which committed $2.5 million, as well as several foundations and numerous individual donors, Phase 2 is 75% funded in just two years.
"CFRT has been growing by leaps and bounds," Wrenn said last week by email. "This expansion project will ensure that this beloved theatre will continue to serve students, audiences and families for generations to come."
Wrenn said that construction is expected to begin late this year. The theater has plans for how it will operate once the construction starts.
What are the renovations?
Wrenn said that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater served approximately 43,000 individuals a year. This year, she said they served about 59,000 guests and that "at a time where other theatres are seeing reductions or even closing, CFRT is continuing to grow at a rate that outpaces our facility."
She said the building renovations include a glass exterior and a grand lobby with a mezzanine space that can be used for private events; a lobby that will be open during the day for community gatherings like book clubs; two studios for the theater's education programs; and a rooftop event space for intimate performances like acoustic music sets. The rooftop space will also be available for rentals, including engagement parties and military promotions.
Wrenn said that Phase 2 will increase the available space by 50% once the expansion is complete.
Will the theater close during Phase 2?
Wrenn said the only performance in the theatre will be the 2024-25 season opener, "Footloose," which is scheduled to run from Sept. 5 to Sept. 29. She said that the rest of the season, performances will be held at 1707 Owen Drive — the former Holiday Inn Bordeaux, now Good Homes Bordeaux. The ballroom is being converted into a temporary theater for performances. During the renovations at the Hay Street theater, education classes will be held at 1104 Hay St.
"We can't wait to see everyone for this incredible, joyful show and truly celebrate the life of the building that has gotten us through the last 62 years," Wrenn said.
Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville's Cape Fear Regional Theatre has big plans for expansion
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