Forell | Elsesser Engineers provided structural engineering services for the seismic rehabilitation and upgrade of the historic Presidio Theater located in the Main Parade Area of the Presidio National Park of San Francisco. The 600-seat, multi-use theater includes an expanded stage, dressing and green rooms, and stagecraft facilities. Originally constructed in 1939, the Presidio Theater is one of a number of historic structures that make up the core of the Presidio. 

Customized Solution

• The existing building is steel framed with shallow foundations, concrete shear walls, and steel roof trusses supporting a timber roof. An earlier evaluation of the structure established the feasibility and cost of future reuse and remodel of the structure. 

• The complete remodel includes lowering the foundations of the structure to create a usable basement under the existing theater. In addition, the project includes an extension of the usable basement, refitting the theater with modern seating, expanding the stage, and creating a logia extension to support events.