Coolidge Corner Theatre Renovation + Expansion

Höweler + Yoon’s expansion of the original Art Deco Coolidge Corner Theatre is a celebration of the art of movie making—which was in its technological infancy in 1933, the year it opened to mesmerized audiences. Fast forward 91 years later and the new, 3-story addition shines like a beacon, welcoming cinephiles from Boston and all across the Northeast. It offers two new theater spaces, an event/community space, a media library and a ground floor, glass-walled lobby where movie goers can purchase tickets and gather.

The designs throughout the addition rely heavily on concepts that excited early filmmakers: light, color and sound. Instead of competing with the original Art Deco motifs (which were restored in the old section of the theater), the modern spaces feature bold color and expressive lighting. The new brick exterior mirrors the original Deco pattern, while playfully ‘pixellating’ the herringbone pattern by extruding the bricks like Legos.

To ensure optimal listening conditions in the screening rooms, and to prevent sound bleed from one to the next, Acentech’s team of acousticians worked with the design team to include extensive sound absorbing finishes and features, robust sound isolating constructions at both screening rooms, and very quiet mechanical system function in all project spaces. We also reviewed the new rooftop mechanical equipment and provided recommendations to meet Brookline’s stringent outdoor noise emissions requirements.

The new Coolidge Corner Theatre addition brings art-house cinema excitement back to movie-goers during a time in history when people are tired of post-COVID isolation, and are once again seeking togetherness and community engagement.

Update: The Coolidge Corner was featured in the February issue of Architectural Record!