Flying Monkey Theater

Samyn-D’Elia Architects was presented the 2011 Plan NH Award for their work in designing the renovation of the Flying Monkey Theater.

Originally built in 1928 as a vaudeville style theater, this building was converted in the 1960s into a traditional movie theater.  After being purchased in December of 2009, Common Man owner,  Alex Ray embarked on his plan to renovate the historic building into a dinner theater.

Samyn-D’Elia Architects’ design for the renovation combined two small viewing areas into one large 400 seat theater with balcony sections for dining during a performance, integrating the necessary kitchen space for the restaurant services and handicapped accessible access to all levels.

The theater seating is in the foreground.  The dining area is in the back with the mezzanine overlooking it all.

 The mezzanine overlooking the dinning room.

  The restoration of the commercial building earned an award from Plan NH.  The award cited the project for going beyond mere preservation and for utilizing numerous sustainable practices during construction, including re-purposing some of the original historic architectural details of the building, re insulating with energy efficient closed cell insulation and cellulose and by using a mixture of fuel oil and waste cooking oil generated by the Common Man family of restaurants to heat the building.

Photos by Joe St. Pierre