Construction and renovation of the historic New Granada Theater at the University of Pittsburgh have commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony held on the site by the Hill Community Development Corporation. The project will be conducted in several phases.
The $36 million initial phase will involve the development of the historic New Granada building and adjacent retail spaces. As part of the project, apartments, performance spaces, shops, dining establishments, and 40 affordable office spaces will be developed and refurbished.
New Granada Theater Plans
The Blakey Program Center presently houses Pitt’s Hill District Community Engagement Center (CEC), which will later move into the New Granada building. This new area will increase the CEC’s total area to 20,000 square feet.
The new facility will include a STEAM studio that will offer programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The University will serve as an anchor tenant and provide classes, additional spaces, programs, and offices for the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics, jazz studies, computer literacy initiatives, and the School of Social Work.
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The historic New Granada Theater has a rich history as an important jazz center in the 1930s and the 1940s, and numerous prominent jazz performers such as Louis Armstrong and Lena Horne have performed there. Mickey Rooney’s movie premiered there, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower also ran for office there in the past.
A Cultural Legacy for the Nation and Pittsburgh
During the groundbreaking event, Chancellor Patrick Gallagher expressed his gratitude to the Hill District’s inhabitants, organizations, and community leaders for the project. He added that Pitt was delighted to have assisted in the rehabilitation of a cherished and historically significant landmark.
Gallagher claimed, “This is one of the great cultural legacies not just of Pittsburgh but of our nation.” And they shouldn’t be contained in a box and viewed from a distance. A real legacy is the basis on which the future is constructed. That is what we are doing, in my opinion, in the Hill District.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the budget for the University of Pittsburgh’s New Granada Theater renovation project?
- The budget for the initial phase of the renovation project is $36 million.
- What will be developed and refurbished as part of the project?
- As part of the project, apartments, performance spaces, shops, dining establishments, and 40 affordable office spaces will be developed and refurbished.
- What programs will be offered at the new facility inside the New Granada building?
- The new facility will house a STEAM studio and offer programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The University will provide classes, additional spaces, programs, and offices for the Center for African American Poetry and Poetics, jazz studies, computer literacy initiatives, and the School of Social Work.
- What is the historical significance of the New Granada Theater?
- The historic New Granada Theater was a significant jazz center during the 1930s and the 1940s. Numerous famous jazz performers such as Louis Armstrong and Lena Horne have performed there. Mickey Rooney’s movie premiered there, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower also ran for office there in the past.
These are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the University of Pittsburgh’s New Granada Theater. The ongoing construction and renovation of the site will continue to enhance its historical relevance while expanding its capabilities, making it a cultural and educational center not just for the city but the entire nation.
