History
The Emery Theatre was the third in a series of four theatre-style concert halls whose design was derived from Adler and Sullivan's Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, and that were specifically built for the symphony orchestras of their respective cities. The four halls were Carnegie Hall in New York City (1892), Orchestra Hall in Chicago (1904), Emery Auditorium in Cincinnati (1911), and Orchestra Hall in Detroit (1919). Unlike its three sister halls, the Emery Theatre is not freestanding, but is part of a school building. The school was the Ohio Mechanics Institute (OMI), now known as the Ohio College of Applied Science. By the early 1900s, the OMI's need for a new and larger building was imperative. Preliminary plans were first made public in a promotional brochure, which appeared in the spring of 1906. This brochure showed a four-story building with a small stage, limited backstage facilities, and seating capacity of 1,280, which would have precluded its use by any large-scale theatrical or concert productions. However, outside influence was soon felt in the form of Mrs. Mary M. Emery's philanthropy. Initially, Mrs. Emery offered to fund only part of the project, but OMI Superintendent John L. Shearer induced her to take on the entire cost of the project and make the whole building a memorial to her husband. Mrs. Emery only asked that the auditorium be "so constructed as to be serviceable for public and private lectures, entertainments, symphony and other concerts. May Festival rehearsals, and for such other entertainment as in the judgement of the Trustees of your institution may be proper." She avoided mention of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, which she hoped would be the new hall's main tenant. Thanks to new management and a need for a smaller concert hall, the CSO eventually made Emery Theatre its home. The original plan for 1,500 seats would not, however, be enough. A second balcony was added, and the final design helped to make the Emery the first concert hall in the United States to have no obstructed seats.Design
Adler's design helped the structural engineer Harvey Hannaford, Jr, grandson and partner inTimeline of ownership
1911 — Theatre built as part of the Ohio Mechanics Institute trade school building. 1969 —Recent community use of the theatre
Despite the theatre's condition, temporary occupancy permits have been obtained over the past several years to allow the following activities: * In November 2008, the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards were held at the Emery. * In the summer of 2009, the Emery Theatre hosted Emery Jam, a fundraiser featuring local bands. Proceeds were used to help fund Give Back Cincinnati's annual trip to help rebuild New Orleans. * In 2010, the Emery Theatre became a stop on the historical Civil War walking tour. * From November 2011 to November 2012, the non-profit Requiem Project programmed several shows and hosted recording sessions at the Emery. These included performances by The National,Past revival efforts
* In 1988, the non-profit Emery Center Corporation (ECC) was created to promote the restoration and sustainable operation of the Emery Theatre. * In 1988, Stanley Aronoff, a Cincinnati politician, secured $4.5 million. However, facing other priorities, Aronoff helped the University of Cincinnati use $3.2 million for the building that houses the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning and $1.4 million for renovation of French Hall for University College. Only $400,000 of the appropriation went to planning for the Emery's restoration. * In 1989, the Contemporary Art Center considered moving to the Emery. * In 1997, the University of Cincinnati partnered with the Cincinnati Preservation Association to begin drawing plans for renovation. Three years later, they attempted to raise $17.5 million to restore the Emery by 2004, but they were unfortunately unable to allocate the initial $5 million needed from state government and the plan did not move forward. * In 2001, the University of Cincinnati successfully completed a $10 million redevelopment of the non-theatre part of the building (former classroom space) into contemporary residential apartments. The complex now contains 59 units of market-rate housing, interior parking, and commercial office and retail space. Once the construction loans begin to be paid off, revenue from the apartments will be used for renovation and operation of the theatre. *In 2008, a group of over 100 local volunteers from Give Back Cincinnati spends a day cleaning up the dusty theatre. Give Back Cincinnati volunteers returned in 2009 to continue restoration of the theater, cleaning the lower balcony and painting much of the first floor and backstage area. * In 2010 the ECC applied for a $1 million appropriation from the Ohio Capital Improvement Budget, but other community investments throughout the state were deemed a higher priority at the time. * In 2011 the ECC procured the necessary architectural plans for future renovation from John Senhauser Architects. *From 2011 to 2013 the ECC had a management agreement with the non-profit Requiem Project. Substantial event programming during this time was possible under a temporary occupancy permit. However, this effort did not ultimately involve capital fund raising for long-term renovation. *In 2016, the building's owner,Current state
The theatre is not currently used, as significant funding and renovations would be required for an occupancy permit. The non-profit Emery Center Corporation (ECC), formed in 1989, holds the sublease to the theatre. In May 2019, a study commissioned by the University of Cincinnati concluded that the Emery Theater was beyond repair. UC's board of trustees voted to market and sell the building.Notes
External links
{{Commons category, Emery Theatre