Bucks County Playhouse

The 439-seat Bucks County Playhouse was developed on the remains of a 19th century grist mill located at the intersection of the Aquetong Creek and the Delaware River. It has had a distinguished history as a pre-Broadway premiere venue since its construction in 1939, and has hosted a variety of production types ranging from music to dance to drama. While the building had fallen into disrepair in recent years, new owners are committed to returning the Playhouse to its former prominence and re-positioning it as one of the architectural and social centerpieces of the local community.

Mills + Schnoering Architects was retained by the Bucks County Playhouse Theater, Inc. for design services related to targeted, fast-track renovations and development of a master plan to open the Playhouse for a summer 2012 season and provide for further building upgrades. Work is focused on structural upgrades; life safety improvements; envelope upgrades, including new siding and roofing; technical improvements such as new stage rigging and catwalks; and patron accommodations, such as expanded lobby space, restored auditorium seating, new accessible restrooms, ticketing services, and overall accessibility for both visitors and actors. The firm is also providing design services for the construction of a new riverfront promenade, wood deck, and bar that would allow greater public access to, and enjoyment of, the waterfront. A landscape design for the parking area, pedestrian pathways, and main entrance is also being developed by the project team.