By Tina Thongsarn
If you find yourself tired of Netflix but not too keen on the local gigantic cineplex,
perhaps you are in need of an entirely different movie watching experience. Consider
the beautifully restored Port Theater in off Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, CA. Rich
historical significance? Check. Equal parts new and old? Check. Cushy leather seats
and bar? Check and check!
The Port first opened in 1951. The theater served its early days as a Landmark Theater,
offering the locals a healthy dose of art house cinema, foreign films, and even doubling
as a church on Sundays. Lassie even paid a visit when one of the collie's movies was
showing. But unfortunate times and poor profits fell upon the establishment, causing it
to close in 1998. Fans gathered petition signatures but the theater was in need of costly
repairs with no funding in sight. After a slew of owners and a general state of disarray, a
benefactor stepped forward right before its scheduled 2007 demolition. After 14 years in
the dark, the Port theater reopened its doors for last yearʼs 2012 Newport Beach Film
Festival.
The eight year renovation of the theater was a huge undertaking. Only three walls and
the original neon signage (rebuilt with LED lighting) were kept. Outside, the art deco
stepped facade is updated with new materials. Vertical steel beams and a new
sculptured metal facade adorn the upper half of the exterior. On the lower half, the left
side of the building features punched metal panels while the right side is punched out all
together. The lobby is fully displayed to the public, with all glass windows and entryway.
I found this striking departure from the traditional theater front inviting and new. The
punched metal panels give a fun dimensional quality, painted purple on the front and
magenta on the back, followed by a mirrored wall. Very fitting for a theater to invite
those passing by to see flickering reflections of themselves in the spirit of cinema!
Inside, I found the interiors richly juxtaposed against each other. The countertops were
made of a soft blue-gray faux marble with lots of gorgeous veining, the floors were
polished concrete, and there were nautical portholes along the zebra-striped wood
paneling. The condiment/napkin counter had the same faux marble top, with a stainless
steel cabinet. Large leather chairs and cafe seating was scattered throughout the lobby.
Reclaimed wood side tables and a color palette of light blue, soft gray, white, and pale
golden yellow reminded me that the beach was not far away. The punched out purple
metal panels from outside flowed inside covering the walls to the kitchen. Portholes
were everywhere! There was plenty of natural light during the day. Cove lighting on the
ceiling and backlighting gave the space a nice subtle lighting effect at night.
Moving onwards to the theater floor, a variety of seating options are available from
leather club chairs with tables to sofas and chaise lounges. The sofa and sectional
would be perfected for a double date! The club chairs in the middle looked cool, but just
didn'toffer the neck/head support to comfortably watch a movie. The recliners and
theater seats with the high backs were the clear winner. Purple acoustical panels line
the side walls. While the stairs and theater room entryway were carpeted, the theater
floors were polished concrete, which was odd at first since one would expect carpet
inside the theater. Some may find concrete flooring a bit cold but I think the Port's goals
in being an intimate multipurpose venue call for it. There were no more than 130 seats,
all movable.
Upstairs on the mezzanine level, I was greeted to a sleek bar with dark blue granite
countertops and ambient backlighting. The bar offerings include a selection of cocktails,
wine, beer, and entrees from the kitchen. The mezzanine level seats 34, with barstools
at the long counter in front of the bar, and theater seating on the balcony. On my way
down however, I found the step lighting to be a bit confusing as only some of the steps
were lit.
Last but not least, the restroom! The doors to the stalls were sleek smoked glass. I
especially enjoyed the door hardware, which played more with the reoccurring porthole
shape and was reminiscent of a shipʼs wheel. The counters were yet another granite
(counting three different stone materials in this project), this time a speckled gray. At the
vanity, the backlit mirrors hung over one giant trough sink, and the whole vanity was
skirted with shiny beaded curtains seen throughout.
To put in perspective, there is a consistency in the theater
ʼs materials and products.
Where ever there was wood, it was always zebra-striped. Almost all of the seats were
leather. While it was quite dark throughout the space, by installing beaded curtains on
accent walls, light was being reflected from the beads. I thought the beads were another
clever way in making the design of the space more interactive. From the porthole details
to the style of lighting, it was the consistency in materials that made the mix of all these
materials work together simply rather than becoming sensory overload!
The architects, Laidlaw Shultz Architects, received No. 27 for the design of this project
in
http://portnewport.com
/
Interior Designʼs Top 100 Big Ideas, featured in its March 2013 issue, noted for its
cultural contributions to the community. This project also won a Design Award from AIA
Orange County in 2012. The new Port Theater is located on 2905 E. Coast Highway,
Corona del Mar, CA.
Sources:
http://portnewport.com
/
15 comments:
Interesting place. I'll check it out sometimes. Love the idea of putting old and new together, especially the photo of the bar. Love it.
I liked the beaded/crystal restroom curtain and color scheme
Don't know what this place looked like before, but it sure looks like a place I'd like to go visit. That accent wall with beads sounds dreamy.
I love the style of this place! It looks so chic and welcoming. I will have to go visit!
I do not live too far from this place. I have to go and visit it soon since it just opens last year. it seems like a nice place for a movie night out!!! love it..
I really like the beaded crystal curtains.
The restroom really caught my eye. What a cool way to design a backdrop for the sinks, instead of the ordinary mirrors.
The restroom looked great. I like how they used LED light to create a nice effects on the backflash wall of the bar. I would like to come here someday
I love local finds like this! The juxtaposition of materials is especially enticing. Zebra-stripped wood with ship porthole windows! Brilliant!
LOVE the theatre! must seriously check it out!
Love the feel this theater gives. The design incorporates materials and products well. Can't wait to check it out!
I used to go to this theatre prior to its closing every so often when I was growing up. I love a great reno-resurrection story! I hope people will continue to support independent venues for the arts everywhere. As for the design and materials, they look great in the photographs, and happy to hear they tried to keep whatever they could from the original building.
This is not your regular theater! I love it! The bathroom is amazing!
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