Historic preservation and adaptive re-use: The Eagles Theatre project is an arts and entertainment facility and an epicenter of diverse community resources. The 5-story building has been a highly visible feature of downtown Wabash, Indiana since it was first constructed in 1906, but many of its spaces had fallen into disrepair in later decades. When the theatre was acquired by the Honeywell Foundation in 2017 our design team partnered with the foundation and re-imaged the facility to support the foundation’s mission of providing opportunities for creativity, music education, visual arts, and more. Honeywell has been instrumental in efforts that have had substantial social and economic impact in communities all over Indiana.
One of the most distinguishing features of the theatre is that it serves as a venue for both live performance and motion picture. It’s rare for a theatre to offer both forms of entertainment. With 32,000 SF, the restored Eagles Theatre is exploding with spaces of various functions and carefully crafted historic details on every floor. Each floor has been completely renovated to serve diverse purposes.
- Ballroom for large scale corporate or private events
- Community conference/multi-purpose/event spaces
- Visual and performing arts educational spaces (recording studio, green room, computer lab, etc.)
- Two connectable lobbies: One serving the main theatre and the other serving the ballroom and upper floors
- Private theatre/viewing room in lower level
- Music practice rooms
- Three cast dressing rooms
- Theatre suites to be rented for private groups/events
- Expanded seating throughout the renovated lower and upper balconies
- Repurposed architectural features refurbished and restored throughout the new spaces
- Donor signage incorporated at all levels, made available through overwhelming community generosity and support
