The historic Ritz Theatre in downtown Corpus Christi is one step closer to restoration as crews begin uncovering and restoring the building’s original 1929 colors.
Leaders of the project say workers are carefully studying layers of paint and plaster throughout the theater to match the colors used when the building opened nearly a century ago.
“What you see behind me right now is a section of a mockup they’re working on,” The Ritz Theatre’s new Executive Director, Arthur Seago, said. “That dark night sky blue up there, that was one of the original colors from 1929.”
According to Seago, restoration crews with Evergreen Architectural Arts are repairing damaged medallions, restoring the theater’s original craftsmanship, and testing paints and materials that match the building’s historic look.
Seago said many of the theater’s current colors are not original.
“The dark red or maroon behind me right now, that’s not the original color,” Seago said. “There was no red in this building in 1929.”
The restoration is part of a larger renovation project expected to take several years. Plans include updated bathrooms, elevators, and ADA accessibility improvements through a new annex next to the theater.
“When this project is finished, this is going to be a grand facility,” Seago said. “It’s going to be an economic boom for downtown.”
Once completed, the Ritz Theatre is expected to host Broadway-style productions, concerts, comedy shows, movies, weddings, and community events. Project leaders hope construction will be complete before the theater’s 100th anniversary.
“It’s on an accelerated timeline, and it’ll be done before our 100th anniversary,” Seago said.