The Crandell Theatre is in the midst of a massive renovation and restoration project.
Located in the Village of Chatham, the Crandell Theatre is Columbia County’s oldest and largest single-screen movie theatre, opened in 1926. After 99 years of continuous operation, the Crandell is finally getting a major makeover to restore this community cornerstone to the height of its historic charm.
The restoration first began in late November 2024, with the Bast Hatfield construction team leading the renovation efforts. The first step of the restoration process was to strip the layers of old plaster, paint and concrete from the theater and office spaces to uncover the Crandell’s true architectural structure, which is entirely unique to the building.
Once the bones of the Crandell were uncovered, construction teams worked to revive the historic charm, transforming the Crandell Theatre back to its 1926 splendor.
The new marquee has been meticulously and intentionally designed to mirror that of the original 1926 marquee that adorned the theatre. The new marquee will feature a blend of both the old and the new, with energy-saving LED technology that depicts a replica of the original, vintage lettering.
But this new technology serves a greater purpose than just making the Crandell look good; the digital display allows upcoming and currently playing films to be updated with ease, visible in both directions on the sidewalks lining the Crandell’s front entrance.
To honor and restore the architectural allure of the era, the Crandell Theatre partnered with architect Joel Merker, who created the architectural design. Archways have been a key feature of his design, with craftsmen from the Bast Hatfield construction crew framing the archways throughout the theatre’s lobby and backstage area.
The Crandell Theatre construction team is also incorporating several new additions into the renovation plans to make the building a more efficient and inclusive space for all to enjoy, including the addition of an elevator. The elevator will transport Crandell Theatre staff, board members, prospective members and guests to the offices and conference rooms of the Crandell.
Though the focus of the renovations seems entirely centered around the now, it is equally as focused on the then. For nearly 100 years, iron-sculpted Spanish Renaissance-style lanterns with mica shades have embellished the Crandell Theatre. The lanterns were removed and received a full electrical rewiring and a new finish to restore them to their original splendor and breathe the historic charm back to the Crandell.
Joining the restoration fray are local artisans, Dave Savage of Savage Metal Restoration and Vance Pitkin of Pitkin Co. Refinishers. As a trained welder, Savage has extensive experience with architectural metalwork, which he used to restore the lanterns.
Pitkin refurbished the stamped-wood poster cases in the main lobby and the balcony seats of the theatre; the seats a fixture in preserving the Crandell’s history.
36 of the original balcony seats made of their original wood and cast iron will return to the Crandell Theatre later this summer. The balcony seats have been refinished with some well-deserved tender loving care, but the original antique look and feel has been carefully preserved throughout the restoration process.
Refashioning the exterior of the Crandell Theatre has been an undertaking of its own as well. The exterior walls have been repaired with plaster, the trim repainted white with black and gold detailing at the top of the building, and new windows.
The Crandell’s exterior is now primed for the installation of the new marquee, a major milestone in the months-long renovation project restoring this iconic landmark.
The Crandell Theatre is set to reopen in Fall 2025, enhanced with new renovations and fresh restorations that honor the theatre’s antique charm.
To keep up with the latest renovation updates, visit here.
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