Liverpool’s Empire Theatre is a Grade II* listed Frank Matcham theatre, first opened in 1925 and is the largest 2 tier theatre in the country with 2,350 seats. It has a neo-classical style façade in portland stone and is in a strategic position opposite St George’s hall in the cultural quarter of central Liverpool.
Ellis Williams worked with the Empire Theatre over two phases of redevelopment, The first phase consisted of works to the existing theatre building, including fabric repairs, façade cleaning, canopy repairs, front of house remodelling and refurbishment, auditorium refurbishment and redecoration, forming new orchestra pit and lift, stage improvements, new build stage extension into adjacent street from basement to fly tower, new flying system, new stage, remodelling dressing rooms, technical rooms and new galleries to fly tower.
Phase two required the compulsory purchase and demolition of an adjacent property, before creating a new-build front of house extension containing a new box office, theatre bar, hospitality suite and box office foyer in a three-storey glazed atrium featuring a hand painted and silk screen printed elevation by renowned Architectural Glass Artist, Martin Donlin.
