AVON HISTORIC OPERA BLOCK RENOVATION, Town of Avon, NY
Project Overview
Nestled in the heart of the Town’s village center at 23 Genesee Street sits the symmetrical, three-story brick building hosting patrons of the Avon Opera Block. NKB was tasked by the Town of Avon to bring life back into this historic structure, which was once a focal point for recreation and social activities in its community. The Town previously rehabilitated the first and second floors of the Avon Opera Block for government offices and community services. As part of ongoing historic preservation, the third floor was considered the ‘capstone’ of the multi-phase project.
Renovations to the third floor’s public performance space triggered code compliance updates for the second floor, including accessible toilet rooms and life safety improvements, aligning with a concurrent master planning effort. The addition of a new stair tower connecting all floors was included in the design. As the most intact opera house in Livingston County, NY, the final phase focused on restoring and preserving the building’s structural integrity, which contributed to the project being recognized with a Preservation of New York State 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award. This rehabilitation exemplifies the revival of a historic structure while meeting modern code requirements. The space functions as a general assembly area, hosting town meetings, community gatherings, performances, and serving as a significant architectural and historic landmark. The Opera block resides on the National Register of Historic Places as an example of a multi-use commercial/recreation type building from about 1850 to before World War I.
Services
Architecture
Interior Design
Structural Engineering
Client
Town of Avon, NY
Key Project Elements
National Register/SHPO Grant
Historic Renovation/Restoration
Master Planning/Space Planning
Facility Condition Assessments
Adaptive Re-use
Building Addition
ADA Accessibility
NYS Code Compliance
Life Safety Improvements