Project name: Holly Theatre Restoration/Renovation

Location: Medford

Completion: December 2024

Size: 16,000 square feet

Owner/Developer: Holly Theatre LLC

Architect: Oregon Architecture

General Contractor: Outlier Construction

Submitting Company: Outlier Construction

Subcontractors: Bell Hardware, Christian Massey, Firestop, Gale Insulation, LLAD Concrete, Maranatha Painting, Metal Masters, Precision Electric, Pressure Point Roofing, Quality Fencing, Rogue Iron, Rubenstein’s Flooring, TerraFirma, ThyssenKrupp, Van Row Mechanical

A historic theater renovation project is breathing new life into the downtown area, combining preservation of the past with modern amenities for the future.

Outlier Construction, working with a team of specialists, completed an extensive renovation of the Holly Theater, addressing significant structural challenges while preserving the venue’s historic character.

One of the project’s most impressive engineering feats involved the correction of a 6-inch sag in the original 55-foot span girder trusses. The construction team removed 80 percent of the sag using custom 8-inch steel columns and hydraulic jacks to stabilize the trusses before adding structural reinforcements. Each girder truss received structural blocking and backing, new custom structural steel gussets with through bolts, and vertical and horizontal tie rods.

The building’s auditorium walls, which stand approximately 60 feet high, and stage walls, reaching nearly 80 feet, required installation of structural helical piles to protect against future seismic events.

The project team prioritized preserving and restoring original architectural features including the façade, decorative elements, moldings and period-appropriate paint and artwork while incorporating modern systems.

A new three-phase 2400A electrical service was installed, along with energy-efficient LED lighting, high-performance insulation and state-of-the-art HVAC systems. The auditorium received linear diffusers in the ceiling to provide adequate air distribution without detracting from architectural features.

To ensure optimal sound quality for concerts, movies and live shows, acoustic specialists were brought in to optimize the auditorium’s acoustics.

The theater renovation required close coordination with the City of Medford’s public works, planning and building departments. Jefferson Public Radio, a non-profit public radio station serving as the theater’s operating manager, provided high level and frequent communications to the team, helping coordinate construction with the project’s complex funding constraints from numerous donors and grants.

The renovated theater is expected to boost the local economy by attracting tourists and theatergoers to nearby restaurants, hotels and shops, potentially creating a “cultural district” that benefits local commerce. The project also serves as an example of sustainable renovation practices while providing a space for local artists and potentially offering educational programs for children, schools and community groups.

“Through meticulous craftsmanship, innovative engineering, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, the project overcomes decades of deterioration to breathe new life into a cherished piece of Oregon’s history,” a representative noted in the project submission form. “It stands as a shining example of how visionary restoration can blend the past with the future.”

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