For three years the Jacobs Music Center in Downtown San Diego has undergone renovation work. The theater, previously known as The Fox Theatre movie palace, brims with Spanish Baroque detailing. Architectural firm HGA in collaboration with acoustician Paul Scarbrough and theater planner Schuler Shook, led the renovation. Their attuned work enhances the acoustic experience, while not straying away from the unique spirit of the historic music venue.
“Inspired by the original DNA of Jacobs Music Center, it’s been a pleasure to create synergy between the old and the new in its transformation,” said John Frane, design principal at HGA.
Though the Jacobs Music Center has been transformed throughout the past 100 years, the San Diego Symphony has been dedicated to preserving the intricate historic details throughout the space that have made it one of the most significant cultural institutions in San Diego.
Restoration work on the historic theater kicked off in early 2022 when the San Diego Symphony partnered with architectural firm HGA to restore and renovate the Jacobs Music Center. The renovations included preserving ornamental details such as the central chandelier, gilded baroque details on the ceiling and surrounding walls, lighting, sound, and recording equipment.
Improvements included a custom-designed orchestra enclosure with tunable ceiling reflectors, made to enhance sound distribution, and modifications to deepen the acoustic enclosure created in the stage. Seating has been reconfigured to improve sight lines, remove restrictive sound barriers, and improve access and circulation of the space. This arrangement has expanded the space to accommodate up to 1,823 people, who will be immersed in a more encompassing auditory experience.
“Just as an instrument can transform the music-making experience for an individual musician, the reimagined Jacobs Music Center serves as a new, top-of-the-line instrument that all of our musicians can enjoy together, awakening new senses and possibilities for the future of the Symphony and the community for generations to come,” said Martha A. Gilmer, president and CEO of San Diego Symphony.
Though the Jacobs Music Center has been modernized to enhance the sonic experience, HGA’s redesign has preserved the characteristics of original space, integrating and highlighting the dynamic ornaments in its reimagination of the music hall.
