The Tivoli Theatre hosted its wall-breaking ceremony
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Today, the Tivoli Theatre hosted its wall-breaking ceremony, where guests were invited to be a part of this milestone moment.
The walls of both buildings were broken through, marking a new phase in the life of the performing arts in Chattanooga.
Nick Wilkinson, CEO of the Tivoli Theatre Foundation, explained, “We have two historic, beautiful Chattanooga treasures that we’re connecting to make a world-class arts complex. What better way to ceremonially celebrate that than tearing down the walls, which is effectively what we will be doing from the basement all the way up to the third floor.”
The Tivoli’s doors opened at 10 a.m., with the ceremony beginning at 11 a.m.
Guests enjoyed festive treats, sparkling drinks, and classical music.
Political leaders in attendance included Senator Bo Watson, Mayor Tim Kelly, and Mayor Weston Wamp.
They expressed hope that polishing the “Jewel of the South” will bring immense value to Chattanooga.
Two talented performers from Christian Heritage School, Gracia Wright and Jazhel Arostegui, performed a musical piece for the audience, expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this historic event.
Gracia Wright shared, “It is so amazing to be here and see the opening of the new Tivoli. It is definitely a brand-new spark. I remember coming here with my high school class to see Matilda, and I just remember being entranced by its beauty. Knowing that more performances will be able to be here, and more kids will be inspired the way I was is truly a blessing to watch.”
Wilkinson emphasized that the $73 million restoration project has already raised over $25 million through a mix of private funds, tax credits, and investors.
“It’s a combination of investors, various forms of debt, and capital contributions. We’ve raised over $25 million primarily from private sources, and we also utilized two forms of tax credits: New Markets and Historic Tax Credits. It’s one of the most sophisticated and complex projects in the Southeast this year. When you’re working on a historic theater like this, the jewel of the city, you’ve got to do it right. We’ve brought in the best architects, consultants, and engineers to ensure this theater will last another hundred years.”
The renovation will include polishing gold leaf details, restoring peeling paint, and modernizing outdated infrastructure, including the original air-conditioning system.
The building next door will be gutted and rebuilt as an extension of the Tivoli.
The addition will feature the Sol Theatre, ground-floor retail, rehearsal spaces, and a world-class education program.
Jazhel Arostegui reflected on the importance of the arts, saying, “I feel honored to be invited to this ceremony. I’ve loved the Tivoli my whole life, and it’s such a unique place to experience new shows. I’m so excited for the next chapter of this incredible theater.”
Wilkinson highlighted the broader role of the arts in bringing people together:
“Sometimes we think we’re more disconnected than we really are. Art has the power to unite us, and Chattanooga has proven itself to be a thriving market for great touring shows and Broadway productions. At the same time, this theater is home to the symphony, ballet, graduations, and other vital community events. We need great places to gather, and there’s no better place than a theater like this.”
Wright concluded with a message to the community: “Make sure you come to see this beautiful theater, enjoy the performances, and be inspired by the arts. They’re not just relevant now—they will always be relevant, forever and into the future.”
