Construction Diary
Welcome to the Crandell’s Construction Diary, where we will share pictures, videos, news and longer articles about the construction and restoration process while the theater is closed for major renovation. We will continue to share details about upcoming off-site screenings and events for our patrons and community in our regular newsletter, which will also be archived here. Members will also be receiving a bi-weekly update with special announcements and perks tailored just for them.
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Feb. 20, 2025
Time Traveling with Talented Bast Hatfield Crew Member Pavel Pissarenko
While stripping the interior of the building in preparation for the renovation work, the workers discovered a buried treasure. Underneath the flooring in the front section of the stage was an intact orchestra pit complete with a row of stage lights and an upright piano that had been used to accompany silent films. The piano was made by the Albany firm of Cable & Sons, circa 1925. The company built a full line of upright pianos, grand pianos, and player pianos. As talented crew member Pavel Pissarenko discovered, aside from some missing notes and in desperate need of tuning, it was ready for its next musical performance 100 years later.
Feb. 5, 2025
Take a Virtual Tour Through the Renovation
Bast Hatfield’s Safety Manager Dennis Gilmore used a drone to film this virtual fly through of the Crandell’s ongoing restoration and renovation. We’ve edited it for length so that you can more easily share it with your friends, neighbors and favorite businesses in town. The early work of stripping back the layers is revealing the original shape of the 1926 theater. Check back for monthly video updates on our progress!
Jan. 31, 2025
The Crandell’s Original 1926 Lanterns to be Restored
For the first two months, the Bast Hatfield construction team has been hard at work removing layers of old plaster, paint, and concrete in the theater and offices above. This messy yet necessary task is revealing the space’s “original bones” and architectural flourishes. But some of those original 1926 elements will get a special makeover before being reinstalled as part of the final interior design.
Hanging in the theater for nearly 100 years, and glowing with red bulbs for the past several decades, these Spanish Renaissance-style lanterns above were carefully removed early on in the process and are now headed out for restoration.
Made of sculpted iron with mica shades, the lights will get a full electrical upgrade and new finish. “The metal will be cleaned and refinished, and the mica film restored or replaced when needed,” explained Taconic Engineering’s Kylie Wyskochil. “The wiring, bulb socket, and light bulb will all be replaced and brought up to code.”
Wyskochil said they are in the final stages of selecting the right craftsman for this delicate job. “Our goal is to work with someone who has experience with fixtures of this style and era, and who has worked extensively with mica film in lighting fixtures.”
Architect Joel Merker and the team at Taconic Engineering used the original design of these interior lanterns to inform the selection of additional period-appropriate lanterns to fill the space. Lightology’s elegant “Costa Del Sol” wall mount design (left) echoes the original fixtures and will be installed at the base of the stairs to the balcony.“There will also be two ceiling mounted hexagonal lights from the same company (above right), with the same finished appearance, that will be installed in the hallways between the restrooms,” said Wyskochil. Those hexagonal fixtures in turn were inspired by two 1926 hexagonal pendants which used to hang above the concessions stand. “After these pendants are restored with the other six lanterns,” she added, “they will be hung above the two sets of double doors that bring you into the interior lobby,” where there will be a beautiful new display wall.
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