After 6 months of restoration, Savannah’s historic Lucas Theatre unveils modern 1920’s makeover

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - After 6 months of renovations, the Lucas Theatre of Art and Design is finally completed bringing back that timeless look from the 1920’s.

The Lucas Theatre in downtown Savannah is known for its architecture and design and it just underwent some major renovations bringing back that original 1920’s look, featuring hand painted gold leaf finishes.

Savannah College of Art and Design invested $4,000,000 into the renovation process.

“The beautiful 40 foot Dome we had artisans and crafts,” said Christina Routhier, SCAD Senior director of theaters and festivals. “People building scaffolding all the way up into this ceiling here for weeks and weeks and weeks just hand painting, putting the gold leaf on here.”

SCAD revamped the interior of the building— refurbishing the plaster and paint, updating the bathrooms, new carpeting and furniture, modernized backstage areas, and a new cafe in the lobby for everyone to enjoy.

“Thats what SCAD really excels at, just these small details that really brings things back to life,” said Routhier.

SCAD’s senior director of theater and festival, Christina Routhier, says as a Savannah native seeing the finished product warms her heart.

“My father grew up in Savannah,” said Routhier. “He actually used to come to this very theater when he was a little boy get dropped off with some bottle caps and watched movies all day so for me it’s very special that cad is investing in this amazing theater.”

After almost being shutdown in 1976, preservationists saved what the theater was and now under SCAD’s care, it continues to serve the Savannah community.

“SCAD really invested in this historic landmark jewel of Savannah and we will continue to do so for many years to come,” said Routhier.