The Hollywood Reporter – 28.02.2018

THE DAVID GEFFEN

THEATER

Named after the mogul, who donated

$25 million, the theater will be

used for both museum screenings

of older films and industry premieres

of new movies. Its walls will match

the curves of the surrounding sphere,

and moviegoers will enter the

auditorium via walkways connecting

from the Saban Building.

THE DOLBY TERRACE

In the next phase of construction, a

lid-like roof will be put atop the

concrete bowl, and it will serve as the

theater’s ceiling and the floor of the

observation deck (which will itself be

covered by a steel-and-glass dome).

THE SPHERE

To build the Renzo Piano-designed sphere — which houses

the David Geffen Theater — concrete panels cast in Northern California

were hoisted into place. Says Brougher, “It was a little bit of a

reverse process where the skin is put on first.” A box-like extension that pokes

out from the back of the sphere will hold the theater’s projection booth.

SCREEN SCENE

Inside the sphere, the

theater is now starting

to be installed,

beginning with the base

of the raked floor

on which 1,000 seats

will be placed.

PRESERVATION
Limestone from the
original quarry in Texas is
being used to fix missing sections
of the facade, and a source
for the tiles used for the distinctive
gold cylinder has been located.
An Oscar image may be added.
Says Brougher, “Conversations are
still ongoing and nothing
is final, but we remain mindful of
the Saban Building’s historical
landmark status in our
discussions.”