FAÇADE RESTORATION

The Teatro Carmen, originally opened in 1915 and named in honor of Carmen Soto de Vásquez, first functioned as a theater. However, it ceased operations after less than a decade. Over the years, the building served various purposes, including as an auto garage and a fish warehouse. In 1935, ownership of the building was transferred to Pilgrims Rest Elks Lodge #601, an African American Elks organization. A few years later, the Lodge constructed a new building south of the Teatro. After 50 years, the Elks vacated the premises in 1985, leaving the Teatro Carmen as a vacant but iconic landmark in the historic Barrio Viejo.

In 2021, Strafford Artworks acquired the building with the intention of restoring it as a fully operational theater. In partnership with Pima County, the project has been planned in multiple phases.

Phase I, completed in 2023, focused on restoring the facades of both the Teatro Carmen and the Elks Lodge, as well as the burial of underground utilities. The restoration was guided by a combination of historic photographs, architectural drawings, and selective demolition on-site. Plaster was removed to reveal and restore the original brick façade, while the central entry arch, which had been repurposed for vehicle access, was reconstructed with a concrete column inserted between the brick coursing. The entry porch was reinstated, and the mezzanine was positioned at its original height. The Elks Lodge façade was carefully restored using the original 1940 Blanton & Cole architectural drawings, and iconic ribbed doors and wood casement windows were recreated in accordance with these plans. This successful restoration was made possible through extensive historical research and the skilled craftsmanship of the contractors and masons involved.

PROJECT INFO

Commendations : Pima County Historic Commission Award

Location : Tucson, AZ

Year Complete : 2023

Cost : $850,000

Photography : Logan Havens