Fox Theater: Restoration and renovation

The idea of restoring and renovating the historic Fox Theater in downtown Spokane arose ironically from a plan to tear it down. Floor-to-ceiling scaffolding filled the theater for months, protecting ceilings and fixtures from damage. Huge hunks of foam were fastened around ornate furnishings such as staircase railings.

Section:Gallery

Thu., Oct. 26, 2017

Scott Graham, (left) and Alex Robinson prepare to place glass sections that make up the ceiling star at the Fox Theater in Spokane, Wash. on Thursday, June 14, 2007. The famous star is a pivotal point in the restoration of the theater that is set to conclude later this year.

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A worker points under cover of plastic, Tuesday 2-7-06, while doing renovation work to the balcony of the Fox theater in downtown Spokane as the overhaul for the historic landmark continues.

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The Fox Theater restoration is well under way with ongoing demolition in each part of the historic building. Seats, lights, stage and curtains have been removed in preparation of a full-scale restoration beginning next month.

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Broderick Carson of EverGreene Painting Studios finishes covering the trim of the upper lobby near the ceiling of the Fox Theater, Feb. 22, 2007. He is standing on scaffolding planks over the open space of the lobby.

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Broderick Carson of EverGreene Painting Studios traces the outline of an equestrian riding scene that was uncovered from under four layers of paint on the walls of the men's lounge at the Fox Theater. Feb. 23, 2007.

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Alex Robinson (left ) and Doug Fields of The Collective install the framework that will hold a huge stained glass piece on the ceiling of the Fox Theater, Thursday, June 14, 2007, in Spokane, Wash.

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Work on the exterior of the Fox continues in June 2007, less than six months before the theater reopened.

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Dennis Snyder, a supervisor with Walker Construction affixes a Styrofoam sheet to the glass safety railing in the Fox Theater, Dec. 16. 2005. The 1931 art deco building is undergoing a renovation project that will cost $22 million dollars including the purchase price. Over $16 million has been raised with an additional $6 million sought for the sustainability of the facility. It will reopen in late 2007 and will be the home to the Spokane Symphony. Seating capacity will hold 1700 patrons. New heating, air conditioning, restrooms and an expanded lobby are among the improvements.

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Glass artist Susan Kim wipes down a section of stained glass that will hang on the ceiling of the renovated Fox Theater, Thursday, June 14, 2007, in Spokane, Wash.

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Power City Electric superintendent Brad Finck (cq) looks over building plans at the Fox Theater Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4, 2006. The Fox will get a $7 million historic and new market tax credit for the Fox Theater renovation. Holly Pickett The Spokesman-Review

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Photographed through an etched glass and ironwork railing, Brad Finck of Power City Electric looks through building plans at the Fox Theater Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4, 2006. The Fox will get a $7 million historic and new market tax credit for the theater renovation.

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Workers prepare the main auditorium floor of the Fox Theater for a concrete pour, Feb. 22, 2007, in Spokane, Washington. The Fox restoration completion is scheduled for the fall of 2007.

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Amanda Ackermann of EverGreene Painting Studios strips four layers of paint from the second floor men's lounge walls of the Fox Theater, Feb. 22, 2007. Murals of athletes were hidden behind the paint.

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Susan Kim, owner of Reflections Stained Glass cleans the final spots off the glass for the ceiling star in the historical Fox Theater in Spokane, Wash. on Thursday, June 14, 2007. Susan has spent four months working on the restoration of the Fox, mending all the glass pieces for the star along with several art deco pieces on the exterior of the theater.

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This detail photo shows the wall light fixtures and artwork of the Fox Theater, Tuesday May 9, 2006.

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Kumi Hisano (cq) works on restoring a mural in the Fox Theater, Tuesday May 6, 2006. Layers of paint and years of grime are slowly being peeled away to reveal the original artwork. This wall featured a sports theme outside the mens lounge.

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Layers of paint and years of grime are slowly being peeled away from the wall murals of the Fox Theater, Tuesday May 9, 2006. This section outside of the ladies lounge featured a panoramic of willow branches.

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Above the doorways into the Fox Theater the Art Deco designs showcase the era of the historic buildings heydays. Full scale restoration of the building is well underway as professional art restoration experts begin work, Tuesda,y May 9, 2006.

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Kumi Hisano (cq) works on restoring a mural in the Fox Theater, Tuesday May 6, 2006. Layers of paint and years of grime are slowly being peeled away to reveal the original artwork. This wall featured a sports theme outside the mens lounge.

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Larry Harshbarger (cq) uses a cutting torch to cut down a large chunk of metal workers were trying to get out of the Fox Theater basement, Tuesday, May 9, 2006. Interior restoration and mechanical work contines on the multi-million dollar restoration of the historic building.

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The Fox Theater tower sign is prepared to be lifted off a trailer at the corner of Sprague and Monroe in Spokane, Washington, Aug. 2, 2007. The sign was refurbished in Boise, Idaho by YESCO.

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The refurbished Fox Theater tower sign is lifted upright in the middle of Sprague Ave in Spokane, Washington, Aug. 2, 2007. The sign was craned to the theater's roof and installed.

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Mike Dan of YESCO helps guide the Fox Theater tower sign as it is lifed upright in the middle of Sprague Ave, Aug. 2, 2007 in Spokane, Washington. The sign was refurbished in Boise, Idaho by YESCO and reinstalled on the theater's roof on Thursday.

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The refurbished Fox Theater tower sign is lowered onto its base atop the Fox Theater in Spokane, Wash. Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007.

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