Restoration
Grand Vision successfully advocated for the City of Los Angeles to commit to a major renovation of the Warner Grand Theatre so it can be enjoyed for generations to come!
As of January 1st, 2024, the City has temporarily closed the theatre for essential upgrades including ADA accessibility, plumbing, electrical, and earthquake retrofitting – all the while keeping the beautiful historic elements of the theatre intact. The Theatre is scheduled to reopen in late 2026.
Grand Vision’s restoration work began in 1996 when we took on the challenge of restoring the historic marquee and neon blade sign, which had been dark for many years. Since then, we have undertaken many preservation, restoration, maintenance and upgrade projects, including the “Save Your Seat Campaign” capital campaign of 2004-2006. Local residents, businesses and fans of Art Deco design adopted over 1,000 Theatre seats. These funds enabled Grand Vision to fully restore the Theatre’s seats, install safe, modern stage rigging, a movie sound system and much more. This restoration work provided the necessary improvements that have enabled the Theatre to function as a community performing arts center since reopening in late 2006.
See the stories below for details on the many community-driven restoration projects that Grand Vision has accomplished.
Restoration Blog
2020 | Upgrading the Sound System
San Pedro’s historic Warner Grand Theatre originally opened in 1931. Nearing its 90th birthday, the theater has moved into a new 21st century era of production - thanks to recent upgrades to the...
Warner Grand Theatre Gets Lighting Revamp
(San Pedro, CA) - This historic Warner Grand Theatre, San Pedro’s opulent Art Deco gem originally opened in 1931, is ready to move into a new era of spectacular events — with help from Kinetic...
2017 & 2007| Lower Lobby Refurbishment
In the mid 1990s, the lower lobby sustained extreme water damage due to flooding. The historic red and white checkered linoleum and wooden subfloor were destroyed. In 2007, the rest room dividers...
2015 | New Digital Projector
GVF purchased technically appropriate projector in order for the theatre to be able to access and screen contemporary films. One of GVF's ongoing goals has been to upgrade the Warner Grand Theatre's...
2010 | Auditorium Paint Analysis
GVF received a grant from The National Trust to conduct an analysis of the peeling paint in the main auditorium. Experts found the causes to be age, deterioration of base paint layer, changes in...
2009-10 | Mezzanine Ceiling Restoration
GVF repaired and restored a section of decorated ceiling that was sagging, cracked, and missing sections of plaster. With a matching grant from the Office of then L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, a...
2009 | Main Drape Replacement
GVF replaced the (non-original) main stage drape with a more technically useful curtain that is able to open at the center and move up and down. GVF Board President Fred Allen worked with L.A. stage...
2006-08 | “Save Your Seat” Campaign
From 2006 - 2008, GVF raised $914,418 through a coordinated community building effort that offered local businesses and residents the opportunity to “adopt” seats at the theater with commemorative...
Warner Grand Seat Restoration
The Warner Grand Theater has officially started its seat restoration! Last week, the theater’s 1,500 seats were removed and will be re-cushioned, reupholstered and refinished. This was made possible...
