The Historic, 1924 Balboa served, variously, Vaudeville and movies. Abandoned since the 1970s in San Diego’s GasLamp Quarter, it opened to rave reviews in January 2008 after a major restoration. MCH capitalized on the hall's attributes and extended the room's functionality with both a proper sound system and variable acoustics. For San Diego's arts groups, the theater's size and acoustical properties became an ideal match. “I thought the sound was very warm and resonant,” says Greg Raden. “And there was life to the sound. And certainly, what more could you ask for? As soon as the musicians began rehearsing, the impression was that we really hit it here." - Principal Clarinetist, Greg Raden

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• 1350 seat Historic Renovation hall

• Orchestra Pit and Orchestra shell/recital screen

• New variable acoustics for multiple uses, eventually with cinema

• Expanded support spaces plus all new HVAC

• $26M total cost

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Architect: WRL Design
Completion: 2008