The New Eastern Standard
Boston, MA
Possibly one of Apple’s most complex construction endeavors, Shawmut partnered with the tech giant and their design team to transform a 1927 theater in downtown Los Angeles into an iconic retail destination, which includes space for for community programs and creative tech classes. The adaptive resue project preserved, restored, and replicated elements throughout the store to honor the building’s history. The team retained the decorative plaster, balcony, and walls and ceiling of the original lobby and auditorium.
The exterior glazed terra cotta was repaired and restored; the original marquee was replicated and rebuilt; the clock tower cap—damaged after an earthquake—was fully reconstructed. The team installed new lighting and rewired or upgraded historic fixtures for compatibility with the historic atmosphere. The project scope included a voluntary seismic retrofit, and the team completed extensive shoring and bracing to support the exterior walls and interior while the work was performed with great attention to documenting and tracking historic pieces when needing to temporarily remove. All power and mechanical systems were updated to meet today’s standards for function, efficiency, and safety.