LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – Locals have spent years fundraising to renovate Lafayette, California’s iconic Art Deco gem, the Park Theater.
Now, a $12 million total renovation of the historic theater is finally underway.
Let’s take a look at what the Park Theater will look like after the renovations are complete.
A cutaway view shared by the Park Theater Trust, which is leading the renovation efforts, shows the overall vision for the historic theater.
The Art Deco marquee out front will be preserved, but the building will be totally renovated to add two theaters for both daily movies and special events, as well as a multifunction community space, a solar array to power everything, and the city’s only rooftop terrace.
New lighting and a renovated entryway will make the theater stand out at night, much as the Orinda Theater – which hails from a similar era – currently does one town over.
Here’s a look at the vision for the exterior, versus how it stands today. Drag the slider to compare.
Inside the theater, the renovated lobby will sell concessions for moviegoers and will also highlight the theater’s Art Deco elements. Concept photos show a Deco-inspired mural around a central staircase leading up to the community spaces.
Again, the intention here isn’t just to create a movie theater. Like many new theaters today, the goal is to make a community space for people to gather. And in the East Bay, that always means drinks and food!
Concepts for the new design show a rooftop bar area overlooking the city, where people can grab a drink before or after the movie and mingle on comfortable couches.
Of course, lots of people will be there just to see movies. Concept photos show renovated theater spaces with rows of seats that echo the original style of the theater.
Lighting and other elements in the renovated space will pick up the Art Deco concept and carry it through all the way to the screens themselves.
So that’s the vision for the theater’s future. But where does it stand today?
Photos shared by the Park Theater Trust show the largely gutted interior of the theater as it stands today. There appears to be extensive water damage and some graffiti.
That said, it appears that the Trust has successfully saved – and is perhaps renovating – some of the original Art Deco lighting and other elements from the theater.
All that to say that the renovation has a long way to go. But the fact that it’s started at all is a small miracle, and is thanks to the awesome fundraising work from the community. The Trust still hasn’t raised all the funds it needs, though, so you can give here or find other ways to help.
The new space is projected to open in 2026. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you updated as the project moves along.
