Changes Along Buffalo Bayou: A New Theater Campus And A Creative Office Mixed-Use Redevelopment
Stages Repertory Theatre broke ground on The Gordy, a 67K SF campus with three theaters, and its former home is being redeveloped into a mixed-use facility with creative office.
This is the first major infrastructure investment in Stages' 40-year history. The project site is at 800 Rosine St., one block south of Stages' current location on Allen Parkway. The new campus will have more technologically advanced performance spaces and better amenities and parking.
The three performance areas will be the 251-seat Sterling Stage, the 223-seat Arena Stage and a Warehouse Stage with flexible seating for up to 134 people. The Gordy will also have rehearsal studios, production shops and administrative offices, plus a pedestrian plaza and green space for outdoor events. There is room for future development, which could serve local arts and culture organizations. The campus is named for its primary donors, Glenda and Russell Gordy, who are matching any donation, up to $5M total.
“What's thrilling and unique about the design of our new theatres is that they amplify Stages' core value of intimacy,” Stages Artistic Director Kenn McLaughlin said in a statement. “The stage is elevated in a way that ensures a dynamic relationship between artists and audiences with as few obstacles as possible — there are no columns or beams or frames.”
Radom Capital is redeveloping Stages' former facility, the historic Star Engraving Building, into 42K SF of retail, creative office and restaurant space, plus 10K SF of gardens.
Radom is the developer behind The Mercantile, a unique and successful project in The Heights.
The Gordy will open during the 2019-20 season.
Gensler, Charcoalblue, Hines, Forney Construction and Walter P Moore are involved in the Stages development.
