Boston University Sells BU Theater, Plans New Venue

BOSTON (CelebrityAccess) — Boston University has unveiled their initial plans for a new studio theater and production spaces, at a meeting of the Brookline Planning Board on March 10.

The 250-capacity theater would be located in a new building on Commonwealth Avenue, the University said.

Renderings of the new facility, designed by Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects, depict wide, tiered benches and greenery flanking the building, which will house production facilities, such as scenery, prop, and costume shops.

Faculty offices and teaching spaces, including a lighting lab and design studios, will also find a home in the building. The concept calls for a two-level subsurface parking garage, a smaller surface parking lot, and fully landscaped buffer areas fronting the historic Brookline Cottage Farm neighborhood’s Essex and Dummer Streets.

The construction of the theater is made possible by the sale of the BU Theatre for $25 million, which was announced Monday. The 890-seat theatre at 264 Huntington Avenue as well as a pair of nearby buildings were sold to an investment group working with Boston-area developer John Matteson, Playbill reported. – Staff Writers