They spoke, and the Shaw heard — now, the theatre festival company is unveiling several changes to its plans to redesign the Royal George Theatre.
The updates were presented to the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake on Friday. One of the most significant changes is that the new plan keeps the look of the theatre closer to what’s already there.
The new design would keep the theatre’s current face on Queen Street while constructing an entirely new building behind it, what executive director Tim Jennings called a “ghost façade.”
This change comes after weeks of feedback from NOTL residents who said they’re worried the Shaw’s plans to construct a significantly larger new theatre on Queen Street will ruin the small-town feel of Old Town’s most prominent road.
According to a news release from Monday, the original front of the Royal George Theatre will remain and connect to the new theatre entrance via a small outdoor courtyard. That connection will be sheltered by a canopy lit with marquee lights.
Robin Ridesic, founder and CEO of the Exchange Brewery and a member of the Shaw Festival’s major projects steering committee, said the change reflects public demand to respect the history of the 110-year-old building.
“There’s been very clear feedback that we want to preserve as much of that heritage look of the Royal George in its new iteration,” she said.
Jennings also revealed an “improved residential look” for the theatre’s Victoria Street side, aimed at better integrating the structure into the residential neighbourhood.
“The new designs for Victoria Street feature pitched or ‘gabled’ roofs,” the release said.
“The rehearsal hall windows have been lowered to residential height with a bay window treatment to be more harmonious with the look of the neighbourhood.”
Accessibility improvements remain a key feature of the new Royal George. The building will now be constructed at sidewalk level, eliminating the need for exterior ramps.
The original design included ramps, which have since been moved inside.
Planners have also cut down the overall size of the new theatre.
The Shaw Festival said the revised design removes approximately 3,000 square feet by reducing the size of the rehearsal hall and lobbies and relocating the second-floor multi-purpose room to the third floor.
The fly tower, originally designed to be five-and-a-half feet taller than the current one, will maintain that height. However, Jennings said it will be painted a different colour to better blend into the surroundings.
He also noted the addition of more greenery and the preservation of mature trees to “try and soften things.”
The previous proposal faced public criticism over the size and location of the new building.
The Niagara Foundation, while not opposing a rebuild, issued a statement last week urging the Shaw Festival to preserve the historical significance of the Royal George Theatre.
In response, the organization has increased its public engagement efforts. It hosted an in-person open house at the theatre in July and held two virtual open houses on Aug. 6 and 7.
Jennings told The Lake Report the virtual sessions had about 55 attendees and went “very well.”
Jennings emphasized the project remains in the design phase, even as the organization hopes to begin demolition of the Victoria Street section by December.
While a site plan is expected by the end of August, he said design adjustments will continue until construction begins, planned for early 2026.
The Shaw Festival owns the current 335-seat Royal George Theatre, located on Queen Street. The theatre dates back to 1915.
The plan is to demolish the existing building and construct a new one just north of the site, with a targeted completion in summer 2028. The project is getting a $35 million boost in provincial funding.
Jennings said they aim to appear before the general committee of the whole on Sept. 16. The planning committee of the whole meets on Sept. 9, but Jennings said that timeline felt “too fast.”
A public consultation on the new proposal will be held on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. Registration details are available at shawfest.com/royalgeorge.
