Crofoot Ballroom – Pontiac, Michigan
A complex of buildings in downtown Pontiac were repurposed through adaptive reuse and opened as a performance venue by preservationist Blair McGowan in August 2007. A conscious effort was made to leave as much of the historic fabric intact as possible. This is a similar strategy employed by Preservation Hall in New Orleans. The main auditorium has two floors with a wrap-around balcony on the second floor overlooking the performance space and dance floor on the ground level. Several bars and smaller performance spaces are scattered throughout the building as is an outdoor courtyard.
While navigating through the building there are wide arched openings, such as this one that promote a flow between the previously separate buildings.
Another arched opening on the ground floor gives egress as required by fire code.
Finally, these narrow passages give access to exit doors, again, as required by fire code.
Original plaster and tile over the brick have been retained where possible. In sections where the plaster and tile have fallen away the brick is left exposed. In this setting a “preservation” treatment is preferable to “restoration” of appearance in an earlier period, to give truth to materials and change over time.
Modern fireproof metal and concrete stairs are inserted into the historic buildings. These modern materials are required for safe exit in case of fire. They will also better accommodate the weight and forces of large numbers of people moving through the space at the same time.
Egress from the second floor is done in a way with flights of stairs and landings to create a sense of enclosure for the brick paved patio outdoors. This creates yet another performance and public gathering space within the complex.
A series of interior spaces give an opportunity for multiple performance and gathering spaces, many with a dedicated bar serving each one.
The exterior walls of three separate and distinct buildings are combined together.