By H. Wicai, KWMU
St. Louis, Mo. – The Kiel Opera House will be reopened.
Developer Donald Breckenridge Monday announced plans that will take a year-and-a-half and $30-million to renovate the building which was built in 1934 and closed in 1991.
Architect Gary Martinez of Bethesda, Maryland will design the rehabilitation project. He says it's one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture that exists in the country.
Written within these walls is the shadow of what this center used to be," Martinez said. "It's one of the finest performing arts centers we have seen in the country. It just needs a little bit of loving care and some work.
Clear Channel Entertainment will manage the opera house but will partner with St. Louis-based Fox Associates to bring Broadway entertainment to the Kiel.