Author Archive

The New Victory Theater – 1995

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 by admin

The New Victory Theater - New York City, NY - Post Lamp

The New Victory Theater - New York City, NY - Post Lamp


In 1995 the Victory Theater began a new life.  After 95 years of active use on 42nd street in New York City hosting all types of theatrical performances this theater was completely renovated. Originally built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1900, the theater was described in his own words as the ‘perfect parlor theater…a drawing room of the dramatic dedicated to the best in dramatic and lyric art’.  The architect. J. B. McElfatrick designed the building with a beautiful Venetian façade, with an exterior two-story grand entrance staircase rising from the sidewalk.  The building also had ornate high plaster ceilings with gilded angels.  McElfatrick was especially proud of his large cast and wrought iron lamppost positioned at the entrance of the theater.

When it came time to restore the light fixtures the restoration architects signed Historical Arts & Casting to do the work.  Most of the original fixtures were missing and what was not gone was in a serious state of disrepair.  The fixtures had to be completely rebuilt requiring new patterns and tooling.  Over the course of nine months the restoration of the elaborate exterior fixtures was completed, with some of the interior lighting restored as well.  Timed to coincide with the rest of the restoration, the project was ready for the dedication December 11, 1995.

Design Cutsheet – LF095 Post Lamp


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Los Angeles Central Library – Los Angeles, CA (1993)

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011 by admin

Los Angeles Central Library - Zodiac Chandelier

Los Angeles Central Library - Zodiac Chandelier

The Los Angeles Central Library was renovated and expanded in the mid 1990’s for the California Library System following arson’s fire. Historical Arts & Casting was selected to restore and replicate over 500 light fixtures including a grand chandelier for the main rotunda.  Many fixtures had to be recreated utilizing historical photographs.  Some unique challenges were encountered with this project including the development of various finishes and the manufacturing of hundred of large hand-blown glass pieces of traditional horn and opal glass.  The design team and shop replicated the traditional finishes of the period. A bigger challenge, the glass, required putting together a team of glass blowers from all over the country and flying them to a hundred year old glass factory in New Jersey.  For five weeks straight, they worked on blowing the 600 pieces of glass required for the project.  They project was beautifully crafted and a tremendous success for the Los Angeles Central Library.

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Grand Central Terminal – New York, NY (1992)

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 by admin
Grand Central Terminal - New York, NY

Grand Central Terminal - New York, NY

When Beyer Blinder Belle was restoring the Grand Central Terminal for the Metro North Railroad in New York City, they turned to Historical Arts & Casting.  They needed assistance with the restoration of the unique chandeliers, which hung in the grand main terminal and waiting rooms.  The project required the removal and restoration of thirteen chandeliers, weighing several thousand pounds each.  There were numerous challenges to the project revolving logistics and working with battling local unions.  The chandeliers were dismantled, cataloged and carefully packaged in the field, then shipped to our Utah facility for restoration.  Further dismantling and cleaning in the shop revealed that the fixtures were originally plated with nickel and gold, which was redone.  Historical Arts & Casting was able to develop and install new uplighting and sound systems for the fixtures, appearing to be original.  Re-installation of the chandeliers required the elaborate staging and rigging to maneuver and relocate the delicate, heavy fixture.  This project was completed on time and within the project budget.

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St. George Tabernacle – St. George, Utah (1992)

Friday, May 6th, 2011 by admin

Light Fixture - St. George Tabernacle, St. George, Utah

Light Fixtures - St. George Tabernacle, St. George, Utah

The St. George Tabernacle was one of the early architectural treasures in Utah’s pioneer history.  The building was built in the 1860’s and quickly became the center of pioneer life for the small rural community.  With the ability to seat 1200 people, many town and community meetings were held there.  The craftsmanship was exquisite with much of the work being performed by European immigrants. Thought built during a trying time for the new Mormon settlement, the tabernacle had a clock from England and many refinements including six beautiful oil chandeliers.

In 1992 a major restoration took place restoring much of the building and bringing it back to its original configuration.  Historical Arts & Casting recreated the chandeliers, long since removed for more modern lighting, from historic photos.  The replica chandeliers were built to look like the original fixtures with oil wells and glass chimneys.  The fixtures were manufactured in cast aluminum to match historical fixtures from the period.  The tabernacle now stands as ‘the jewel of the desert’, the most beautiful red stone building in the west.

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Fava Building – Baltimore, MD (1988)

Thursday, April 28th, 2011 by admin
Blaustein/Fava Fruit Building - Baltimore MD - Cast Iron Restoration

Blaustein/Fava Fruit Building - Baltimore MD - Cast Iron Restoration

The Fava Building, located in Baltimore’s inner harbor district, was originally built in 1869 and clad with a beautiful cast iron façade. After over 100 years of service, the façade desperately needed to be restored. In the early 1970’s Historical Arts & Casting’s expertise was called into play. After traveling to the project and performing a preliminary assessment, it was determined that a major restoration was needed and not just a ‘cosmetic face lift’. The owner was very concerned about preserving Baltimore’s architectural heritage but due to budgetary constraints, could not proceed with the project at that time. The façade was cataloged, dismantled and placed in storage until 1994. The restoration of this façade was more complex than most because the configuration was changed from a flat front façade to a stepped-back or saw tooth design. In addition to restoring the existing metalwork, Historical Arts & Casting also had to create patterns and tooling for the additional bays and corner conditions. The seamless connection between the restoration of the existing facade and the new material made this a very rewarding project.

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Grand Opera House – Wilmington, DE (1986)

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 by admin

Grand Opera House - Wilmington, DE - Cast Iron Facade Restoration

Grand Opera House - Wilmington, DE - Cast Iron Facade Restoration

On July 1, 1973 a festive parade led by a high school marching band and government leaders kicked off the restoration of the Grand Opera House (GOH) façade that was once the jewel of downtown Wilmington. The GOH searched the country to find architects capable of overseeing their new revitalization project.  They found Baird architects, in Salt Lake City, and signed a contract with GOH to provide their area of cast iron restoration.

The GOH was built and funded as part of the Masonic Temple in 1871. It quickly  became an object of civic pride showcasing Victorian grandeur and architecture. By 1968, after many stages of use, the GOH stood abandoned and neglected in the midst of the city.

Steven Baird,  preservation and cast-iron expert, had worked on a similar building in his native Salt Lake City.  He had refined the techniques of working with cast-iron and was thrilled to be awarded his first major cast-iron restoration project outside of Utah.  The first floor exterior of the restoration was completed for Wilmington’s  bi-centennial celebration in 1976.

Ten years later in 1986, Historical Arts and Casting received a curtain call to finish the restoration and painting of the GOH from the second floor to the roof. The project took two years to complete, restoring this beautiful Victorian theatre to a   place of prominence and culture in this Delaware community.

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