Shortly after noon on Wednesday, the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts will be spireless no more.
When it was built in 1931, the then Fox-Watson Theatre was a much taller building than it currently is. In June, work began on the reconstruction of the tower of the historic downtown icon with the hope of completing the project -- including adding a spire -- by Christmas.
Adding the new spire is scheduled to become a reality between 12:15-12:30 p.m. Wednesday when a crane operator with Ferco raises the new spire atop the tower. Jane Gates, Stiefel executive director, said the public is invited to watch the event and encouraged people to gather on downtown streets near the Stiefel to watch. The Stiefel Theatre is located at 151 South Santa Fe Avenue.
"The tower is being rebuilt exactly as it was in 1931. As you may know in 1954 lightning caused damage to the upper tiers of our tower, causing the necessary removal of the top layers. The original tower extended four stories tall and was topped with a neon beacon requiring 200,000 watts of electricity and a fluid cooling system. Thirty recessed lights illuminated the tower," Gates explained.
Additionally, brick work is being done on the theatre. The entire renovation project is still expected to be completed by Christmas, Gates noted.