Exclusive: Castro Theatre to be renovated by members of world’s first LGBT construction association

The Castro TheatrePhoto: Brant Ward / The Chronicle 2008

As part of its plan to renovate and restore theCastro Theatre,Another Planet Entertainment has tappedthe world’s first LGBT industry association for construction and architecture to lead the project.

The partnership with BuildOUT California, announced Tuesday, March 22, is part of an effort by the Berkeley concert promotions company to support the movie theater’s surrounding LGBTQ community.

“The Castro Theatre is a cathedral to the LGBTQ communities,” Mary Conde, vice president at Another Planet in charge of the Castro Theatre project, said in a statement. “It’s absolutely expected and appropriate that we partner with LGBTQ firms as we revitalize this irreplaceable icon for future generations.”

同性恋群体卡斯特罗剧院是一个局域网吗dmark as new management takes over?

The Castro TheatrePhoto: Brontë Wittpenn / The Chronicle

Another Planet Entertainment, known for producing San Francisco’s annual Outside Lands music festival, signed a long-term contract with longtime owners of the historic theater to turn it into alive events venueby next year.为了更好地适应音乐会、喜剧shows and other events at 429 Castro St., the company hasproposed significant changes forthe 100-year-old movie house, such asremoving theexisting floor seating, replacing the lobby concession area with new bar spaces and improving the ventilation system.

“There’s a lot of work to be done and we’re thrilled that LGBTQ contractors and vendors will be at the front of the line when considered for this work,” said BuildOUT founding member Paul Pendergast in a statement.

Indeed, for association member Nick Colina, the collaboration with BuildOUT California could be a boon for LGBTQ construction firms.

“As a lifelong San Franciscan, a member of the LGBTQ community and a Latino, the Castro Theatre holds a very special place in my heart,” said Colina, chief operations officer of Anco Iron and Construction, a third-generation San Francisco firm based in Bayview-Hunters Point, in a statement. “As a gay man in the steel industry, a project like the improvements to the Castro Theatre comes along once in a lifetime.”

The project’sarchitectural proposal, drafted by the San Francisco architecture firm CAW Architects, was recently submitted to the San Francisco Planning Commission.It is expected to be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission sometime in May, according to David Perry, Castro Theatre spokesperson for Another Planet Entertainment.

Here’s how the Castro Theatre will change, according to renovation plans submitted to S.F.

Once renovation plans are approved by the city, Perry said they will host regular construction project meetings with key representatives from BuildOUT California to provide a timeline, contract opportunities and other key details of the project.

“We’re looking forward to working with Another Planet Entertainment to make meaningful introductions between qualified sub-consultants and subcontractors who have relevant experience, qualifications and capacity to provide real value on the Castro Theatre Project,” Pendergast said. “This is the definition of a big rainbow win.”

  • Aidin Vaziri
    Aidin VaziriAidin Vaziri is The San Francisco Chronicle’s pop music critic. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MusicSF