Excellence Award Spotlight: Avon Opera Hall
The Avon Opera House seen from across the street, with the Bank of Avon building to the left. The two buildings were renovated and joined as part of a comprehensive restoration project.
“The town is grateful to all of the supporters, design team, and contractors that made the Town of Avon Opera Hall restoration a success,” said Paul Drozdziel, Avon Town Councilman and Project Manager. “Congratulations to all the award applicants, as we are all winners in working hard to preserve a little bit of the past. Finally, a big thank you to the Preservation League of NYS for the recognition.”
The Avon Opera Building is one of the most historically significant structures in the village, occupying a prominent place in the heart of the business district. The Italianate style Opera Hall was built in 1876, and despite suffering vacancy and disrepair for many years, the structure maintained a much of its architectural integrity in both the exterior and interior. The Town purchased the Opera House and adjoining Bank of Avon buildings in 2005. Initial rehabilitation work joined the two structures from the inside by installing a new central stairwell. Before work began on the third floor Opera Hall, the first and second floor spaces were repurposed for use as local government offices and community service, now home to Avon’s Town Hall.
Project Manager Paul Drozdiel noted that, “The project was like a puzzle — there were bits and pieces of what the space looked like in its heyday, but determining what piece came first and then using those pieces to help select period appropriate materials, profiles, colors and repair methods was tricky. For example the very prominent, all wood, tongue and groove, aged in place, natural finish ceiling was 50% missing. No problem finding the right material and duplicating the profile but a bit challenging to get the new wood to match the aged existing remaining ceiling. The trade craftsmanship and results are exceptional.”
Restoration of the Opera Hall performance space was the final stage in bringing this historic structure back to life. The building is now a jewel in the center of town, creating a sense of community pride. Completing the performance hall renovation, preserving the building’s architectural character and history, was like putting the “cherry on the sundae.”
When the Livingston County News covered the opening of the Opera Hall in February of 2024, Avon Town Supervisor David LeFeber, who is also chairman of the Livingston County Board of Supervisors, was quoted as saying, “The Avon Opera Block has been an important staple in the fabric of our community’s identity for nearly 150 years. Its revitalization will not only restore a historical landmark, but will help in redefining the vibrancy and character of our community. The newly renovated spaces will provide residents with a centralized place to gather and celebrate events and will enhance our efforts to draw visitors to the area for performances, festivals and other culturally-significant events.”
Project Team: Whitney East Inc.; Erie Electric; LMC Industrial Contractors, Inc.; NKB Architecture & Engineering, P.C.; Drapery Industries, Inc.; Illuminated Integration; Logical Control Solutions; Village of Avon; Avon Preservation & Historical Society; NYS Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes; Town of Avon Grant Committee; Town of Avon; Livingston County Government.