Lansdowne Theater

Historic Theater Lighting Custom Lighting & Replication

Lansdowne Theater

Job Site Lansdowne, PA

Project Description

Property History

The iconic Lansdowne Theater, constructed by Harrison Brothers Construction and opened on June 1, 1927, served primarily as a movie house and occasionally hosting live performances in Lansdowne, PA. In recognition of the historical and architectural significance of the building, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The theater had to shut down in 1987 following an electrical fire, and was left unused for decades. In 2007, the building was purchased with the intention of restoring it and preserving it’s original history. After an 18 year process, Lansdowne Theater is now fully restored and is once again hosting live events open to the public.

Project Scope

Grand Light was recruited by the Lansdowne restoration team to manufacture custom and replication light fixtures, as well as to restore historic light fixtures.

The highlight of Grand Light’s replication work was in recreating 18 historic wall sconce fixtures (our only reference being a few black and white century old photographs) by utilizing a variety of technology and simulation processes. Each sconce was created as a 3D Model, the designs modified with the historic photos and Lansdowne’s vision in mind. Once the model was finalized, Grand Light 3D printed a to-scale replica of the fixture to simulate how it would look on-site. Finally, once the design was agreed upon, Grand Light fabricated each sconce using stock and custom fabricated components. Another component to this job involved the replication of a ceiling and pendant fixture using the existing historical fixtures as reference. In addition to these replication pieces, Grand Light designed and manufactured a number of custom large wall sconce fixtures for the auditorium.

Services Performed

Lighting Design & Engineering

Our process begins with reviewing existing documentation including sketches, architectural drawings, historical photographs, and an on-site inspection to gather the full scope of the project requirements. From there, Grand Light will develop a detailed proposal. As required Grand Light conducts research to assure the historical accuracy of all historic projects.

The creation of Custom Drawings, Modeling, Simulation, and Rendering is an important part of the process when it comes to the production of custom lighting. Whether it be a replication or modification of an existing lighting fixture, the client’s design, or a creation by Grand Light’s engineering team, our designs will serve as the blue print for our production process.

Our designs and subsequent mock-ups address the smallest of detail, allowing our clients to fully visualize the fixture before it goes into production, which reduces the possibility of error, and allows Grand Light to fulfill its commitment of delivering high quality lighting fixtures on schedule.

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Material Fabrication

Grand Light has created custom lighting fixtures of every style and for every application. Our team of professional metal workers excel in Forming, Forging, Spinning, Stamping, and Hydroforming various materials such as Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze, and Copper.

Grand Light’s production process in machining and manufacturing custom lighting fixtures and components in both large and small quantities; from minor components to the complete fabrication of full sized lanterns or other custom lighting fixtures, our artisans can accommodate any client specification or deadline.

With our automated lathes, stamping, and welding equipment aid in our ability to craft metal components to project specification with unparalleled design, quality, and durability. Our custom lighting team stands confidently behind their work with years of experience and dedication to quality craftsmanship.

Glass Fabrication

Grand Light’s Crystal, Glass, &  Acrylic Studio specializes in the cleaning, repair, fitting, custom fabrication, replacement and replication of crystal, glass, and acrylic components of varying types, sizes, and color.

Our extensive cleaning solutions include hand cleaning, abrasive, micro-abrasive, and ultrasonic cleaning technology. Our artisans utilize a proprietary cleaning solution before each component is rinsed and hand polished. We have extensive experience pinning and stringing crystal components on historic and custom lighting fixtures. Utilizing time proven techniques, our artisans install pinning wire, clips, and connecting rings on crystal components in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and designs.

Our specialists will identify and research any missing crystal or glass component on a historic lighting fixture and offer up a similar or exact grade, size, tint, color, and shape to maintain a fixtures historical integrity.

Grand Light offers a wide variety of custom, high quality architectural glass and acrylic diffusers, available in an array of styles, types, and sizes. Our high quality architectural diffusers are available by custom order and offer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces or replications of an existing design.

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Finish Application & Top Coatings

As a part of the restoration process, our artisans explore the intricate details of preserving the historical integrity of lighting fixtures including color matching and sheen of the original finish. Custom lighting finishes are available in custom painted colors, sheen, and textures as well as custom patina colors on bronze, copper, and brass components.

Our artisans can match any color or finish utilizing a variety of processes involving Powder Coat, Spray, Hot or Cold Patina Custom Recipes and Color Blending an existing finish.

Grand Light exercises meticulous techniques that are unparalleled in the application of Protective Top Coatings including binders, rust, and UV resistant protective metal oils, waxes, and lacquers with various customized sheens and tints.

NRTL Testing & Listing

Utilizing only UL listed products, Grand Light’s OSHA NRTL Certified Manufacturer’s Testing and Listing Laboratory strives to ensure only the highest quality of standards go into finalizing each lighting fixture; from the rewiring of luminaires, to the installation of modern lamp technology, and the custom conversion of gas powered fixtures to electric.

Grand Light’s technicians inspect and document any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring. We also offer comprehensive retrofit kits for upgrading existing historic luminaire to take full advantage of modern induction lamping technology. Grand Light’s practice is to perform multiple UL tests on all electrical components and systems to ensure compliance with UL Standards for luminaires.

Click here to read about the restoration work we did on this project

Media

The renovated Lansdowne Theater reopens to the public.

Design and manufacturing process for the custom wall sconce luminaires

Project Updates

The Final Act of the Lansdowne Theater’s 37 Year Restoration

Grand Light is proud to celebrate the long-awaited restoration and reopening of the historic Lansdowne Theatre in Pennsylvania.

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Breathing New Life Into The Lansdowne Theater

The iconic Lansdowne Theater, constructed by Harrison Brothers Construction and opened on June 1, 1927, served primarily as a movie house and occasionally hosted live performances in Lansdowne, PA. In recognition of the historical and architectural significance of the building, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Grand Light artisans…

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Big “Rings” Happening – Philadelphia’s Great Theater Restoration Project Progresses

The American Artisans Have Been Busy Restoring The Historic Lansdowne Theater Chandeliers, Pendants, & Ceiling Lights Grand Light artisans continue their work on the iconic Lansdowne Theatre restoration project, headlined by a grand, hand-painted centerpiece chandelier. In order to restore the grandiose historic properties of the building, the existing historic fixtures would be restored with…

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Project Case Study

To review the Custom Project Case Study, click the image below:

To review the Restoration Project Case Study, click the image below:

Project Accolades

Lansdowne Theater Restoration and Renovation received the Construction Award for Rehabilitation at the 2025 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards, hosted by Preservation Pennsylvania

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