A Modern, Mid-sized Performing Arts Center and Home for the Spokane Symphony

Originally built as a 2300-seat movie theater, the renovated Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox seats approximately 1600 as a much-needed mid-sized performance venue and home for the Spokane Symphony in the heart of the city.

Mechanical, plumbing, electrical and ADA upgrades were essential to the Theater's new use as a performing arts venue. Reconfiguration of retail space that ringed the building provides needed space for dressing rooms, catering space, ticket office, and storage.

Years of accumulated cigarette smoke and popcorn grease obscured the original vibrant colors of the decorative painting throughout the Theater. An attempt to modernize the color scheme at some time in the recent past resulted in painting over several of the murals with red paint. Restoration of these priceless Art Deco murals were accomplished with the help of a Save America's Treasures grant.

The original hand-painted fire curtain was discovered in the Theater, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts aided in cleaning and restoring this magnificent piece of art.

Our construction partners are:

• Cosler Designs, theatrical design
• Evergreene Painting Studios
• Jaffe Holden, acoustical engineers
• L&S Structural Engineers
• NAC Architecture, architects
• Roen Associates, project management
• Walker Construction Company, contractor

An Economic Catalyst

The renovation of historic movie theaters as performance venues has proved to be a successful catalyst in downtown revitalizations in cities across America.  A vibrant cultural atmosphere makes a city a better place for all its residents, and an attractive and competitive market for new and growing businesses.  Just as the Davenport Hotel renovation has had a positive and energizing impact on downtown Spokane, the restoration of the Theater contributes to Spokane’s urban renaissance and has become a prominent anchor of the dynamic Davenport Arts District.   The Theater…

• Contributes to the vitality of downtown Spokane and the Inland Northwest with an economic impact in excess of $16 million annually
• Revitalized an entire city block in one of the lowest-income census tracts in the state
• Created 175 construction jobs over 18 months of restoration

The Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox is for Everyone

The Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox is available to non-profit arts organizations and other groups for presentations and events in the theater.  An operating reserve of $4.5 million will ensure the sustainability of the facility.  The Theater…

• Serves local non-profit arts organizations and children’s groups
• Supports local universities, community colleges, and K-12 school districts with educational programming
• Provides a variety of entertainment opportunities for diverse groups
• Provides a venue for catered events, business receptions, corporate meetings, plenary sessions and more