Great to see a Timothy Pflueger restored, like the Paramount in Oakland. Restoration being returning it to its original, pristine, condition. The author Astrid calls it a renovation, which is incorrect. Renovation means simply making it functional again. I've emailed her and asked for clarification.
And here is her very lovely response a short time ago:
"Hi Greg,
It is both, I would say. It's a restoration (of the ceiling, the chandelier, and many of the architectural elements) as well as a renovation (of the HVAC systems, the restrooms and the lighting/sound systems). Of course, how a person views the removal of the orchestra seats to make way for a more flexible arrangement for the venue's future as a multi-use venue is gonna be up to them. Obviously, some people think it's saving the theater from becoming an Equinox, others see it as pure desecration of a cultural temple.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
Astrid"
I do like the Standard. It's a cut above the other online, local, news-sites and seems to do some good journalistic work, not just mayhem and gore.
By Astrid Kane Published Apr. 04, 2024 • 6:00am - The San Francisco Standard
In 1922, when San Francisco’s Castro Theatre opened, a romanticized version of the “Orient” was foremost in the moviegoing public’s mind. Rudolph Valentino’s smash hit The Sheik had come to screens the year before, and British “Egyptologist” Howard Carter would discover the tomb of pharaoh Tutankhamun that November.
These days, the Spanish Baroque-style theater itself resembles an archaeological dig. Having closed in early February for the largest renovation in its 102-year history, the Castro has become a hard-hat site that has turned up discoveries of historical significance—and awakened ghosts from the movie hall’s illustrious past.
https://sfstandard.com/2024/04/04/castro-theatre-renovation-ape/
Greg
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