Lansdowne Theater

Historic Theater Lighting Restoration

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 restore the historic lighting in this ambitious restoration project. This entailed doing restoration, replication, and custom craftsmanship on over thirty luminaires – an assortment of pendant, sconce, ceiling, and chandelier fixtures, and most notably, the stunning auditorium centerpiece, a 12′ wide, 244 socket chandelier.

Grand Light artisans carefully removed, dismantled, and transported the fixtures to be restored at our factory. Each fixture was disassembled and refinished to preserve their historic aesthetics. Any missing or damaged decorative or mechanical components were replaced. All of the diffusers and crystals were thoroughly cleaned or replaced, while the intricate decorative crest designs on each panel of glass for the main auditorium’s chandelier were hand-painted by our skilled team. Our artisans were put to the test when it came to mapping out the intricate 6-circuit chandelier to ensure that all 244 sockets would work, but in the end, each fixture was fully rewired with UL listed electrical components.

This job was capped off by sending Grand Light artisans back on-site to deliver the restored fixtures and assist in the reinstallation process. The grand chandelier was hoisted back into the rafters of the Lansdowne auditorium to have its historic craftsmanship and splendor showcased for future generations!

Services Performed

On-Site Disassembly, Assembly, & Testing

Our restoration artisans are trained to safely remove and disassemble fixtures and components, labeling and photographing fixture components in sequence of its removal and as a section. Work areas are left in the same condition it was found prior to leaving the site.

For documentation our technicians inspect and note any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring, to ensure the fixtures can be wired in accordance with UL listed products, UL standard 1598 and hi-pot tested, with UL label (LED retrofit kits utilize manufacturers listing).

On-Site Packing, Crating, & Transportation

Grand Light frequently transports lighting fixtures using our own box trucks, flatbeds, and custom-built trailers that are designed specifically for safe transport. Our team packs all components with custom-built crates catered to each fixture in our factory. Each crate is packed and properly labeled with all necessary information per fixture type, including loose components, damages/deficiencies, and proper component placement/alignment.

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 Cleaning, Fabrication, & Painting

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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Cleaning Systems

Grand Light specializes in commercial luminaire cleaning services, including the utilization of state-of-the-art Ultrasonic, Micro-Abrasive, and Hydrosonic Molecular Impact System (HSMI) Cleaning Technologies. Using our engineered cleaning systems, our artisans are able to eliminate decades of accumulated debris from any lighting fixture or surface.

Grand Light’s Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaning Tanks provide high-frequency sound waves transmitted through liquid to scrub clean the surface of immersed parts. The high-frequency sound waves, typically 40 kHz, agitate the liquid solution of water or solvent, and cause the cavitation of solution molecules.

Our Micro-Abrasive process utilizes fine abrasive media to generate an accurate, precise, and controllable abrasive jet to target and remove material (on the micron level). Our system is so precise it can remove ink from a business card without damaging the card’s surface.

HSMI is Grand Light’s unique, proprietary system includes powerful continuous super high steam production up to 369 degrees Fahrenheit with an integrated wet vacuum system insuring residual moisture and debris extraction. Purified dry vapor steam and integrated vacuum system guarantees spot free crystals and fixture frames.

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Surface Preparation

Grand Light specialists perform testing on each fixture to determine the optimal surface profile for powder coat, paint, metal oil, or hot/cold patina application. Our processes utilize a wide range of equipment including Pyrolysis, Burn-Off, Thermal, and Blast Cabinets to remove an existing finish and smooth or roughen a surface.

Our industrial Pyrolysis, Burn-Off, Thermal Ovens and Heaters offer high-temperature, controlled burns for removal or vaporization of finish or foreign material from metal surfaces. Any remaining ash is removed through our blast cabinet services.

Our industrial Media Blast Cabinets are generally used to remove existing material (finish, contaminants, rust, etc.) or smooth/roughen a surface, all without causing damage to the original profile and aesthetic elements. Each cabinet houses a large work area and adjustable turn table to easily maneuver fixture frames and components.

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 custom work we did on this project

Media

The renovated Lansdowne Theater reopens to the public.

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 Restoration Project Case Study, click the image below:

 

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

 

Featured Products

Project Accolades

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

Original Lighting Manufacturer

Joseph E. Frechie & Co.

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Photo Credits: Internet Archive

https://www.high-endrolex.com/13