CAW Architects (CAW), a firm recognized for its sensitive stewardship of Northern California’s architectural heritage, announces the completion of three performance venues that bridge the gap between historic preservation and modern technical innovation. From the $41 million restoration of San Francisco’s legendary Castro Theatre to the topography-driven "resculpting" of UC Berkeley’s Hearst Greek Theatre and the ground-up industrial craftsmanship of Sacramento’s Channel 24, CAW’s latest work ensures that the region’s most beloved gathering places remain vibrant, inclusive, and future-ready.
The Castro Theatre: A Century of Culture, Reimagined
In collaboration with preservation architects Page & Turnbull, and theater consultants Shalleck Collaborative, CAW led the $41 million rehabilitation of the iconic Castro Theatre—one of San Francisco’s most cherished landmarks and a long-standing sanctuary for LGBTQ+ culture. Originally constructed in 1922 by architect Timothy Pflueger, the movie palace is celebrated for its lavish interior, blending Spanish, Asian, Italian, and Art Deco influences. Partnering with Another Planet Entertainment, the design team undertook a transformative renovation that balances rigorous historic preservation with the evolving demands of contemporary performance.
Central to the project’s success is a first-of-its-kind bespoke, movable orchestra floor system that allows the venue to transition seamlessly between a classic raked seating configuration for film and a flat floor for standing-room live music performances. For Christopher Wasney, FAIA, Principal at CAW, the importance of the theater demanded this level of innovation.
"The primary challenge was to allow the building to honor its role as a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ culture and classic cinema, while adapting it to meet the demands of live performances,” says Wasney. “The bespoke movable floor system creates the classic raked seated orchestra, which can adapt quickly for a standing room live music event.”
The rehabilitation celebrates the theater’s artistry through the revitalization of the original painted ceiling and sgraffito murals, meticulously conserved by EverGreene Architectural Arts. Modern enhancements, including the world’s largest digital organ and state-of-the-art theatrical systems, were sensitively integrated alongside fully ADA-accessible seating and stage facilities. This commitment to inclusivity was reinforced by BuildIT, the world’s first LGBTQ construction advocacy organization, ensuring The Castro Theatre remains a global beacon for the arts for generations to come.
Internationally renowned singer-songwriter Sam Smith kicked off the re-opening of the historic theater with a two-week residency. During one performance, they told the audience, “Accompanied with family here, I have to say, out of all of the shows I have ever done in my life, this is by far the most special show.”
Smith continued, “Leading up to this, all of our hearts have just been so full of excitement and love and gratitude to be able to open this theatre in this way. In the UK, where I'm from, we have some beautiful rooms, but when it comes to rooms that are for queer people and for gay people, it's quite hard to find. Nothing—nothing—ever matches this room, so it is an honor to be with you tonight.”
