Little did Fort Worth architect Sam Austin know when he became involved in the fight to save the historic Ridglea Theater a year ago that today he'd be involved in restoring it.
After Dallas businessman Jerry Shults bought the building on Camp Bowie Boulevard in December, Austin gave him a call. He told Shults about the days from his childhood when his father worked there as a projectionist and he spent many Saturdays watching movies and hanging out.It's also where he took his high school dates."I think he understood how much the project would mean to me and the attention it would get," Austin said. "I've had a harder time sleeping since I started the project, because it's very exciting to me."Shults wants to restore the building as close as possible to the way it was the day it opened in 1950. But that work is taking a little longer than he gambled on when he bought the building in December.At that time, Shults said he hoped the theater could reopen this fall. That won't likely happen until sometime in the spring of 2012.Plans call for at least 12 live events at the theater monthly, including music and theater productions, Shults said.The project's scope is being worked out, but the theater's 1,388 seats won't return. Shults is opting for tables and chairs to make it more suitable for music and film festivals.The Spanish conquistador mural in the lobby, the terrazzo tile floor, lighting and other finishes will be restored. Austin is attempting to track down the original carpet pattern to have it reproduced."It's a work in progress," Shults said. "We're making a lot of progress."Building additions that have no historic value have been removed, including a kitchen that was built in the middle of the lobby and two theater spaces built in the balcony. Renovation work is also nearly complete on an adjoining two-story building, Shults said.About a dozen of the 22 newly renovated office spaces are leased, and 10 street-level retail spaces should be ready soon. The retail space will have two nightclubs and a 3,000-square-foot greenroom for the actors and performers, he said.Last year, Bank of America wanted to buy the 61-year-old building at 6025 Camp Bowie Blvd. for a branch location, but that meant tearing down a portion of the structure.The plan raised the ire of Ridglea residents and preservationists who enjoy the building's distinctive Mediterranean facade, including its iconic marquee and tower that serves as a signpost for the neighborhood.The bank decided not to purchase it, and Shults, owner of the Gas Pipe chain of smoke shops, bought it from its Dallas owner.Shults and Austin are now in the midst of a three-year renovation and restoration that will likely exceed $1 million.The efforts include getting the property listed on the National Register of Historic Places to prevent it from ever being torn down, Shults said. It has already received Fort Worth's highest historic designation, which makes it eligible for tax credits and more difficult to demolish.Austin, 64, an architect with the CMA firm in Fort Worth, met Shults at the theater within a few days of the Dec. 15 closing and over lunch talked about their ideas for the building.Austin located the person who managed construction when the theater was built, who still had a breakdown of the theater's $247,001 price tag.A former owner supposedly has an original set of construction drawings, but those haven't been found, Austin said.Not having been in the theater in more than 30 years, Austin's heart sank when he saw the run-down interior. The building was last used as a venue for rock concerts.But he has brought other old buildings back to life in his career of design work on commercial and retail properties, including historic restorations of the Cowtown Coliseum in the Stockyards, Denton County Courthouse and several commercial properties on the near south side."Jerry's understood from the beginning the historic value of the theater and the value from an architectural standpoint," Austin said. "He's told me he'd rather do it the proper way and take longer than rush through it. When you're working from nothing but photos and memories, it's a challenge," Austin said.Shults admits to being "a little naive" when it came to the cost and work involved in the project."I had a budget," Shults said. "This is more complicated than I originally thought."Shults said Austin has an intimate knowledge of the theater and that he's fortunate that Austin called him."He's one of the best parts of the deal," Shults said.Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
