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In the heart of Portland鈥檚 vibrant cultural scene lies the Tomorrow Theater.

Once known as The Oregon Theater, the iconic space was built in 1925 by Isaac Geller, the visionary behind The Aladdin. From its vaudeville roots to its more controversial years in adult entertainment, the theater has seen it all. Now, under the guidance of the Portland Art Museum, a new chapter unfolds – one of art, community and immersive experiences.

The metamorphosis of the Tomorrow Theater was no small feat. Led by PAM CUT Director Amy Dotson, the museum collaborated with Osmose Design and Perlo Construction to breathe new life into the nearly 100-year-old building.

Osmose Design, under the direction of Andee Hess and Makrai Crecelius, set out to create an experience that transcends traditional theater norms. The design, spanning nearly 9,000 square feet, embraces nostalgia with whimsical colors, hand-crafted fixtures and nods to the theater鈥檚 exotic past such as a metallic chrome upholstered 鈥渕attress鈥� at the entrance paying homage to the theater鈥檚 adventurous past. Visitors are also greeted by a vintage theater seat acoustic wall, iridescent entrance tiles and functional art fixtures by local artists.

Within the auditorium, custom-upholstered seats in vibrant red and maroon beckon guests to settle in for a unique experience. The vintage theater seat acoustical wall is made from saved objects, and the unique cloth swaths for acoustic balance were made by local artists using recycled materials from the Portland Garment Factory.

At the concession stand, visitors will find themselves amidst a world of puppet theater and vaudeville sets. Sign painter Justin Reide created intricate scenes that transport guests to another era.

Renovating a historic space comes with its challenges. Led by Project Manager Joe Sprando, Perlo Construction navigated the complexities of working in a centuries-old building. Perlo cleared decades of debris, updated infrastructure, installed bespoke theater seats and hung art and artisanal lighting. The company also improved accessibility with new entrances and amenities.

Perlo also had to navigate around neighbors, as the theater only takes up one portion of the block with other businesses on the ground floor and residential apartments above. The company implemented noise reduction strategies and worked with building and sound engineers to make sure the theater鈥檚 equipment doesn鈥檛 disturb tenants and businesses.