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The Oregon Ballet Theatre has relocated to a building in the South Waterfront as work begins on the demolition of its former headquarters in Southeast Portland. General contractor R&H Construction has completed a three-month tenant improvement on the Opsis Architecture-designed facility at 720 S.W. Bancroft St.

The project team sought to re-use as many materials as possible from both the old building in Southeast Portland and the existing materials in the new location, which was previously office space. Glass storefront walls and doors and bars were re-used in the rehearsal studios, as were ceilings and other materials. OBT executive director Dennis Buehler estimates that re-use of materials added approximately $200,000 of value to the project, while in-kind donations by R&H and Opsis added another $100,000.

The new space features three rehearsal studios, where ceilings were raised approximately six feet and specialized dance floors were installed.  Also included are a gym/training room with separate physical therapy space, offices for staff and a box office,  spaces for the wardrobe department and the education outreach departments, and locker rooms for both company dancers and students.