The Gem Theatre

Project Overview

Constructed in 1927 and later expanded in 1939, the Gem Theatre was the Calhoun’s only movie and performing arts venue until in closed in the late 1970’s. Following its initial run as a theater, the front lobby area housed a retail establishment for a period and then building sat decaying for nearly twenty years. The building was purchased by a local family will the vision of enjoying the arts once again in a completely restored setting. Pennant Construction Management, Inc. was hired to work with Atlanta based preservation architects Lord Aech Sargent to return the Gem to its original glory. The building’s interior was disassembled to its frame and then the restoration began. A new green room area was added under the stage to allow for a staging area for performances. The stage was reassembled to include ADA access. The main level seating and balcony area were adorned with trim matching the original ornamentation viewed from reproduced vintage theater seating under a replica of the ceiling mounted backlite star. New restrooms allowing for ADA access were installed on the main and upper levels for patrons and the lobby became a throwback to the 1930’s with its candy county and ticket booth. The original projection room and sound booth were modernized to allow for performing arts and concerts, modern first release movies as well as vintage repertory cinema. The project would garner Pennant Construction Management’s fourth Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation “Excellence in Preservation” Award in 2012.