It was once said that architecture is music frozen in time. We couldn’t agree more. Here at TMS Architects, a beautiful architectural detail is like a perfect harmony. It’s music to our… eyes.
We were absolutely thrilled when the City of Portsmouth turned to us to renovate The Music Hall Loft. Not only are we passionate about restoring spaces that have the potential to endure as a community landmark, but we are also passionate about projects that help to keep a city’s culture alive and thriving.
Opened in April 2011, the Music Hall Loft is a 5,670-square foot, cabaret-style theater with an intimate capacity of 124 seats. With a prime location on Congress Street in downtown Portsmouth, this live music venue is a favorite entertainment destination for art enthusiasts.
The venue was re-designed to give it a fresh new look that would create a beautiful and comfortable atmosphere to enhance the experience for artists and audiences. The new Loft boasts an upscale industrial-chic style with exposed ductwork, clean lines, dark wood tones, eye-catching lights and concrete floors and masonry. While we made sure to create a clean and refined aesthetic, we also made sure to infuse some personality with eclectic touches like the blue backlit bar to the chalkboard doors on the bathroom stalls. The overall look and feel is contemporary and edgy while still warm and welcoming.
The front facade now has an expanse of large windows that invite and entice passersby. From the street, you can now admire the sleek, modern decor of the lobby and the multi-purpose performance space. The newly renovated lobby now features a ticket sales counter, a full-service bar, and a galleria displaying Music Hall legends. The Music Hall Loft is also home to newly designed offices for operations, marketing, and program development, which are found on the second floor.
It was an honor to help give the Music Hall new life and to receive the 2012 AIA New Hampshire Excellence in Architecture Design Award for our work on this Portsmouth gem. See and read more about the renovation in the TMS Architects portfolio.