briv
Senior Member
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
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Re: Suffolk Dorms / Modern Theatre
I stopped by the open house last weekend, anyone else?
It was a little disappointing. Beyond the restored facade, nothing of the original building survives--the interior is 100% new construction. The jewel-box theater's sole distinguishing characteristic is a custom, hand-painted wallpaper mimicking the original theater's decoration. Aside from this post-modern flourish, the theater struck me as bare-bones and utilitarian. Which is fine. However, the photos of the original Blackall/Sabine theater hanging throughout the foyer highlight the stark juxtaposition between what was and what is, casting an unflattering spotlight on the latter, IMO.
That said, I'm elated that the facade has been saved. As I've said before, this block of Washington looks amazing, by far better than it's ever looked in my lifetime.
I stopped by the open house last weekend, anyone else?
It was a little disappointing. Beyond the restored facade, nothing of the original building survives--the interior is 100% new construction. The jewel-box theater's sole distinguishing characteristic is a custom, hand-painted wallpaper mimicking the original theater's decoration. Aside from this post-modern flourish, the theater struck me as bare-bones and utilitarian. Which is fine. However, the photos of the original Blackall/Sabine theater hanging throughout the foyer highlight the stark juxtaposition between what was and what is, casting an unflattering spotlight on the latter, IMO.
That said, I'm elated that the facade has been saved. As I've said before, this block of Washington looks amazing, by far better than it's ever looked in my lifetime.