Renovations To Begin Soon At Stamford's Historic Avon Theatre

STAMFORD, CT — Renovations are set to begin soon at the historic Avon Theatre in downtown Stamford.

According to the theater's website, the renovations will get underway on Jan. 15.

Key renovations will include:

• A new 39-seat screening room, dramatically expanding programming flexibility and capacity.
• Upgraded seating in both historic theaters
• Cutting-edge 4K laser projection and immersive surround sound
• ADA-compliant lift and fully accessible restrooms
• A larger lobby and concessions area, plus a stylish new wine bar
• Preservation of the iconic brick façade and roof of the building

The theater launched the public phase of its $14 million Avon reCreated Capital Campaign last summer. In 2023, the theater received $1.94 million from the state which was put toward renovation efforts.

The Avon Theatre showed its first film in 1939 — "It's a Wonderful World" — starring James Stewart and Claudette Colbert. The facility was owned and operated by several movie theater chains over the years before it closed in 1999.

In 2001, the Royce Family Foundation purchased the theater and embarked on an effort to restore the building, the theater's website says.

The refurbished theater reopened in 2004 as a nonprofit, member-supported movie house offering a curated mix of independent films, documentaries, art house, foreign language films and classic cinema.

The theater said it's "going on the road" as renovations take place. There will be weekly screenings of new releases, documentaries and classics at partner venues across Fairfield County.

A grand reopening ceremony is listed on the theater's website for spring 2027

More information, including on how to donate and view naming opportunities, can be found here.