Restoration
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
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 curtain maker Dazian Fabrics to produce a new drape with a beautiful...
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 armrest nameplates. Under contract with the City of Los Angeles, GVF...
The Movie Is Ready to Start, ‘Save Your Seat’
Author/Publisher: Palos Verdes Peninsula News Synopsis: Plans of the "Save Your Seat" campaign to launch in the near future and how the public can get involved. Click image to see the full article.
“Group Restores Warner Grand”
Author/Publisher: More San Pedro Synopsis: The Grand Vision Foundation has done a lot to restore the Warner Grand. A renovation project that was first completed was fixing the aisle lights. This article talks about the future of Grand Vision's attempts to restore the...
1999 | Stage Wiring Repairs
The L.A. City Fire Inspector alerted the Warner Grand about issues to the stage's electrical system. As a result, Grand Vision Foundation made repairs to the damaged stage wiring and removed visibly disconnected cables. The money was raised at Grand Vision's...
1998 | Marquee Restoration
GVF's first major project restored the historic marquee and neon blade sign. They mounted a street festival, "Light Up the Night,” to celebrate the unveiling. 1996 Sept 21 Lights Action News Pilot Excerpt from article: Greeted by cheers from hundreds of people who...
1997 | Main Lobby Chandeliers Repaired
When Grand Vision Foundation (GVF) volunteers and City of LA officials first entered the WGT in 1995, there was no operational lighting. As Irene Mendoza, staff member at the time to Councilman Rudy Svorinich recalls "It was pitch dark in the theater and we needed...
1995-96 | Grand Vision Saves Warner Grand Theatre
Grand Vision Foundation Founded to Save the Warner Grand Theatre In the early 1990s, rocker Lee Michaels, known for his hit song “Do You Know What I Mean?” owned the theater. It was not in operation and Michaels wanted to sell. San Pedro business partners Gary Larson...