Castro Theatre Restoration
The Castro Theatre, completed in 1922, was architect Timothy L. Pflueger’s first solo commission and remains a defining landmark of San Francisco’s Castro District. Like many Deco-era architects, Pflueger drew from popular revival styles for his early work—in this case, blending Spanish Colonial and Beaux Arts traditions. He later remodel the theatre after a fire in 1937, adding some Art Deco light fixtures and neon sign. The theater’s Churrigueresque façade and elaborately ornamented interior reflect this eclecticism, with the auditorium’s leatherette ceiling evoking the open-air canopy of a Roman amphitheater. The elegant Castro brought first-run films to the growing Eureka Valley neighborhood and established Pflueger’s reputation as one of San Francisco’s most significant architects.
The theater was later designated a San Francisco City Landmark in 1976, with protections extended to both its exterior and interior—a rare distinction that underscores its architectural and cultural significance, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. After decades without major intervention, the theater’s historic finishes were obscured by layers of cigarette smoke, grime, and wear. In preparation for a new chapter—led by Bay Properties and Another Planet Entertainment—EverGreene, in partnership with architect Page & Turnbull, was engaged to restore the interior decorative and plaster finishes.
Following the historic finishes investigation in 2019, this extensive plaster and decorative finishes conservation and restoration campaign was launched in early 2024 to implement the recommended treatments. The goal was to preserve as much of the historic fabric as possible while reestablishing a cohesive decorative scheme aligned with Pflueger’s original and 1937 designs.
