About CPF and the Awards

The California Preservation Awards are a statewide hallmark, showcasing the best in historic preservation. The awards ceremony includes the presentation of the Preservation Design Awards and the President’s Awards, bringing together hundreds of people each year to share and celebrate excellence in preservation.

The California Preservation Foundation (CPF), a 501c3 nonprofit, was incorporated in 1978. We now support a national network of more than 36,000 members and supporters. Click here to learn how you can become a member.

The Greek Theatre Project Team

Historic Architect
John Lesak – Page & Turnbull

Project Director
Laura Kos – RIOS

Lead Engineer
Ken Wong – Miyamoto International, Inc., Earthquake + Structural Engineers

Contractor
Charlie Minshew – Best Contracting Services, Inc.

Specialty / Sub-Contractor
Yoshi Suzuki – MCA Clay Roof Tile

Specialty / Sub-Contractor
Steve Lehne – K.C. Restoration

Specialty / Sub-Contractor
Yvette LaLonde – Inter-sky Custom Skylights and Daylighting

The Greek Theatre

The The Greek Theatre is the winner of a 2020 Preservation Design Award for Rehabilitation. Award recipients are selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists. The Award will be presented on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at an online awards ceremony. Tickets and sponsorship options are available at californiapreservation.org/awards.

About this project

Originally constructed in 1930 in the Greek Revival style, the Greek Theatre is an open-air performance venue nestled into a hillside within Los Angeles’ Griffith Park. With the ever-increasing popularity of outdoor concerts, seeing a show at “the Greek”has become a summer staple for Angelinos    After decades of concessionaire operation, the City retook control of the Greek in 2015 and embarked on a multiyear off-season effort to improve the visitor experience; provide contemporary facilities for performers; improve systems; and address deferred maintenance of historic features.  Phase 1 removed inappropriate signage and marquees, renovated dressing rooms, reimagined the front plaza (restoring patron “flow”), and installed compatible signage.  Phase 2 repaired decorative steel entry gates and upgraded box seating and the sound booth.  Phase 3 improved dining options.  Finally, Phase 4 replaced in-kind the Greek’s iconic green glazed clay tile roof and skylights, while incorporating voluntary seismic and mechanical upgrades.