The east broad theater, Originally built as the East side theater, was a “blacks only” segregated theater located in Savannah, Georgia. This project takes the history of the site into consideration when creating a new preservation and adaptive reuse take on this locally well-know building. 

With this knowledge of the state of the theater, the history behind its creation and the impact it played on the surrounding neighborhoods, an adaptive reuse/preservation proposal was created. Honoring the memory of the theater and its users, a conceptual dining and theater experience was created. Using local chefs, box office movies and a Savannah attitude, this theater gives the East Broad Street corridor a tasteful revitalization. 

The theater was originally built in 1945 by Hansen Architects, a well known firm in Savannah, Georgia. The original site was built as a segregated theater within the Downtown Historic District. After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was created, the theater found itself without a use due to the taboo behind its original creation. The site is currently vacant under disrepair and without intervention within the next few years, the theater could face demolition by neglect. 

The theater, renamed and re-marketed to the “East Broad Theater”, gives a dining and entertainment experience to any local. The theater is conveniently located in the back yards of many Savannahians and is connected to the city’s public transportation. 

The theater has a restored and re-imagined facade to honor the original structure but allows the theater to grow and expand into the future with new memories. The theater is a three screen venue with concessions and modern amenities. 

The diner is an intimate dining experience with changes in flooring height to allow for private or social gatherings. The diner features private nooks as well as a full bar. The kitchen is visibly open to the guests to allow for transparency between food to table and allows local chefs to show off their cooking skills.