Anchoring a new entertainment district
The Fillmore Theater is the anchor tenant of the Ajax Building and part of a larger master plan to transform a long-abandoned area into a new entertainment district. The plan covered multiple buildings and parking lots across five city blocks and required extensive community meetings to secure the necessary zoning variances. Once approved, the work expanded to include several venues within the district including The Fillmore, The Foundry, and Punch Line Comedy Club.
Reworking the Ajax Building
Constructed in phases between 1899 and 1944, the Ajax Building occupies an irregular site with a distinctive relationship to the street. Its shape allowed Live Nation to repurpose the complex as an entertainment destination with two performance spaces. Many prominent historic features were retained and exposed, while the existing riveted roof trusses were reinforced to support a mezzanine around the main theater.
Connecting history and performance
Riveted bar fronts continue the industrial character of the building while a back bar sculpture by local artist Bill Curran creates a dramatic screen between the bar and main seating area. Lighting by Bandit incorporates elements from the original Fillmore in San Francisco while highlighting the building’s structure and surfaces.
Janice Woodcock, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal
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