Tax Credit Program Highlight: San Angelo City Auditorium

History

The San Angelo City Hall and Auditorium was built in 1928 by prominent El Paso-based architecture firm Trost & Trost. City Hall functions are contained in the front tower, while the auditorium extends to the rear. Designed in the Moderne style, the ornate space has hosted an amazing array of talents since 1928, including a young Elvis Presley, President Bill Clinton, humorist Will Rogers, bluegrass sensation Alison Krauss, and comedian George Lopez. It is also the home to the San Angelo Symphony and San Angelo Civic Ballet’s annual performances of “The Nutcracker.”

Rehabilitation Project

This rehabilitation focused on upgrades to give the auditorium modern, state-of-the-art functionality. This included completely new HVAC, lighting, audio, and electrical systems. New rigs were built along the sides and above the auditorium seats to hold readily changeable stage lighting. The new HVAC system utilizes the historic return air vents, with new mechanical equipment designed for quiet performance spaces. A large addition was built around the rear of the building to add much-needed dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces, and storage. The ornate theater interior needed minimal work, with only touch-ups required for the decorative painting. The seats, in poor condition, were removed and new seats were added, using the original end posts, with more relaxed leg room, especially in the balcony.