The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson
County announces the selection of Hastings Architectural Associates, LLC as the
architectural firm for the rehabilitation of the historic Franklin Theatre and the adjacent
building that in recent years was a second small theatre. These two historic buildings on
Franklin’s Main Street will become a multiuse entertainment facility for film,
performances and events.
The project team will include Hastings for architecture and interior design, Westlake
Reed Leskosky for mechanical, plumbing engineering, and electrical engineering.
Westlake Reed Leskosky will also work with Hastings as the specialty consultants for the
theatre planning and theatre technical, audio and visual, theatrical and custom lighting
and acoustical consulting.
Hastings was founded in 1985 and has 37 full time professionals including 14 LEED
accredited professionals. The firm recently had extensive involvement in the design of
the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Westlake Reed Leskosky projects include the
Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center in Pennsylvania and the Tennessee and Bijou
Theatres in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Hastings offered pro bono work when the project was first announced. They have
provided preliminary concept plans for fundraising purposes. Westlake Reed Leskosky
was selected by the League of Historic American Theatres to work with the Heritage
Foundation and local stakeholders to identify the uses that the buildings can
accommodate.
The Heritage Foundation purchased the Franklin Theatre buildings in the fall of 2007
with a loan from Emily Magid. This spring, Cal Turner offered to donate 1 million
dollars to the Save the Franklin Theatre project if the Heritage Foundation could match
the gift. This challenge was met when Magid pledged 2 million dollars to the project. The
cost of the total project is approximately 7 million dollars.
According to David Garrett, president of the Heritage Foundation, the selection of the
architectural firm is an important step. Jay Franks, a member of the theatre Construction
Committee says “we are now in a position to select a construction firm to do the work.”
Fundraising for the project is ongoing and anyone interested in contributing to the project
should contact the Heritage Foundation at 6155918500 or make a donation at
www.savethefranklintheatre.org
