Downstairs seating will soon reopen at The Byrd Theatre in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As the seat replacement project nears completion, the downstairs section of The Byrd Theatre in Richmond is set to reopen by the end of the week.

8News spoke with Ben Cronly, the executive director of The Byrd Theatre, about the timeline of the project and what put it in motion.

"It's been ongoing since [the] end of May, we're replacing the two side sections and adding two additional ADA platforms," Cronly said.

This is one of larger renovations in the building's nearly 100-year history, with the last seat replacement estimated to have taken place back in the 60s.

(Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

"Before, we had plastic trash bags over the seats for broken seats, and the seats were replaced, probably, in the 60s, so it needed an upgrade," Cronly said. "One of our biggest complaints from customers and patrons has been the seats, so we thought that it was necessary at this time to move forward with replacing them."

Although The Byrd did not fully close during the renovations, the downstairs section of seating was not available to the public, and patrons were relocated to the 300 seats up in the balcony.

Cronly said that through the renovations, the seating capacity has been reduced to around 920 seats from 1,300, due to wider seats, increased leg room and some rows being removed.

(Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

Cronly also spoke about how funding was provided for the project through a campaign launched in July of last year, and how they were able to move forward after the funding was completed in December 2024.

"We replaced both the balcony and the downstairs, and that cost about $660,000. Downstairs was probably about $330,000 of that," Cronly said.

The middle row of seats was completed in 2018, as the foundation, at that time, had only raised enough money to renovate that portion.

(Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

The replacement of the two side sections and the addition of the ADA platforms is phase three of the renovations. The next big projects will include redoing the marquee and adding the vertical sign back with "Byrd" in vertical letters, Cronly said.

Cronly said the seat replacement is estimated to be completed by the end of the day on Friday, Sept. 5, just in time to open up the downstairs seating for the Friday night showing of The Majestic.

(Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

For more information about The Byrd Theatre, and to check out showtimes, click here.