The nonprofit Avon Theatre broke ground Wednesday, July 22, on a $19 million renovation of its 1939 Stamford building. The project, called Avon reCreated, is the most extensive in the theater's 87-year history. Greenwich's Bruce Museum is among the partner venues hosting screenings while the Bedford Street cinema is closed for construction.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons spoke at the ceremony outside the theater at 272 Bedford Street, joining board co-chairs Susan Cullman and Arthur Selkowitz and Executive Director Peter H. Gistelinck.

"We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to a stronger, more vibrant Avon in 2027," Gistelinck said at the groundbreaking.

What the renovation includes

The project will add a 39-seat third screening room, a dedicated education center, a café and wine bar, a larger lobby, and expanded gathering spaces. All three screening rooms will be equipped with 4K HDR BARCO laser projection, and the main theater will feature Dolby Atmos sound.

The theater previously operated two auditoriums with 271 and 242 seats. The renovation also includes ADA-compliant accessibility improvements, redesigned restrooms, enhanced entrances, and work on the building's roof, brick exterior, and climate-control systems. The historic façade will be preserved.

Construction is scheduled to be substantially complete in September 2027, with a grand public reopening planned for late October 2027, according to the theater's press release.

Greenwich connection

While the theater is closed, the Avon is bringing films to the community through Avon on Tour, a traveling screening series at partner venues across the region. The Bruce Museum at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich is a named partner.

The museum hosted a free screening of "The Land Before Time" on Sunday, July 19, as part of its Family Day: Dinosaur Discovery event. No additional Avon on Tour dates at the Bruce Museum have been announced. Residents can check avontheatre.org/avon-on-tour for the current schedule.

Avon on Tour is presented by The First Bank of Greenwich and supported by the Connecticut Office of the Arts, the John C. Griswold Family Foundation, the Stamford Arts and Culture Commission, and Wireless Zone Gives. Many screenings are free.

History and funding

The Avon opened in 1939, designed by architect William Hohauser. It closed in 1999 before the Royce Family Foundation purchased the property in 2001 and reopened it in 2004 as a nonprofit film center. Deborah Goodrich Royce and Charles M. Royce are co-founders and directors emeritus.

In 2023, the theater received a $500,000 Good to Great grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and Connecticut Humanities for the building reconfiguration.

Upcoming Avon on Tour screenings

• Friday, August 7 — "Star Wars: Rogue One," 8 p.m., Mill River Park, Stamford
• Friday, August 14 — "GOAT," 8 p.m., Mill River Park, Stamford

For the full schedule and Bruce Museum dates as they are announced, visit avontheatre.org/avon-on-tour.