BOSTON — Groundbreaking will occur tomorrow for the Hemenway Project, a $30 million expansion and renovation of Boston Conservatory’s performance theater. Construction at the 340-seat theater, which is located at 31 Hemenway St. in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood, will add 16,000 square feet of new rehearsal and performance studio space. Improvements include two new dance studios; a new dance theater studio that can double as a reception area for special events; a new music rehearsal and performance space; a new orchestra pit; new theater seating; improved handicap accessibility; and new climate control systems. Upgrades to the main theater will also be completed, including increased ceiling height, acoustical refinements, a new control booth, and new lighting and rigging.
Classes at the Conservatory that are currently held at the theater will be moved to temporary rental space within the Fenway neighborhood. Faculty and administrative offices in the building will be moved to space within the Conservatory’s campus. Music, dance and theater performances will be moved to Midway Studios, located in South Boston, for the duration of construction.
Quincy, Mass.-based Lee Kennedy Co. will serve as general contractor for the Hemenway Project, with locally based KVAssociates providing construction project management services. The project architect is Handel Architects.
Fantini & Gorga has arranged $22.2 million in construction and permanent financing, as well as an operating line, on behalf of The Boston Conservancy for the project. Fantini & Gorga’s Joseph Eddy and George Fantini placed the loan, which is partially tax-exempt and partially taxable, with Wainwright Bank. The Conservancy plans to raise $12 million of the total project cost in contributed funds and borrow $12 million long-term. It has also secured $5.6 million through the New Markets Tax Credit program. The Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. was the principal syndicator of those credits, with additional help from the Nonprofit Finance Fund and Coastal Enterprises Inc. of Maine.
The Hemenway Project is scheduled for completion in September 2010.
— Coleman Wood