CHATTANOOGA — The Tivoli Theatre and the Fowler Building are being joined into a new Tivoli Centre. The Tivoli section of the complex is scheduled to open for a Billy Strings concert on October 20, 2026.

Nick Wilkinson, CEO of the Tivoli Theatre Foundation, stated that most sections of the Fowler Building will be ready by the end of December 2026. The restoration project has a budget of $75 million, with project financing including $12 million in historic tax credits. Federal historic specialists had input on the re-design due to the use of historic tax credits.

He stated that piles were driven as deep as 60 to 70 feet to shore up the 1889 Fowler Building. The building was shored up to support up to 2,500 people. During the shoring process, a capped water line that was previously unknown was hit.

A leak occurred in the Fowler Building at approximately 10:30 p.m. Water from the hit line spilled onto Seventh Street. The water leak has been fixed.

Craftsmen are refurbishing plasterwork and leaf detailing before repainting. New carpet that matches the original is being installed. The stage area will be restored and feature all new red seats.

The number of Tivoli seats will decrease from 1,750 to 1,613. A section of seating is being removed to provide more comfortable seating and better ADA access.

The entrance and lobby will feature a new box office, guest services area, bar, new restrooms, an elevator, and a connection to the new Tivoli Performing Arts Center. Telephone booths will be removed from the Tivoli entrance. The Tivoli's signature marquee, which dates to the 1950s or 1960s, will be completely refurbished. An LED board will be installed on the marquee to replace manual message changes.

The adjacent center will have a Patrons Lounge, a year-round restaurant, and the Bobby Stone Theatre. The Bobby Stone Theatre will show independent films and serve as a flex event space. The Bobby Stone Theatre will feature arthouse films year-round and have retractable seats.

The adjacent building will be connected to the Tivoli at every floor, leading to the balcony area. The adjacent building will house a rooftop bar.

He stated that a first-rate restaurant firm is expected to operate in 4,000 square feet of space in the Fowler portion. The same firm operating the restaurant will operate the rooftop bar. A steel spiral staircase was uncovered during the restoration and will be restored to lead to the rooftop.

New elevators will service each floor and go to the rooftop. The old Tivoli only had an elevator located backstage.

Some sections of the Fowler Building, including the office area for Tivoli staff, will be left temporarily unfinished as part of value engineering. Circular artwork along the walls at the Tivoli entrance previously hid air conditioning lines. The Tivoli was one of the first air-conditioned theatres in the South.

“Old buildings resist change,” he said. The Tivoli Foundation had its best revenue year yet while utilizing only the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. The Tivoli Theatre, originally opened in 1921, had previously hosted Broadway shows, with its last full season ending in 2022 before closing for the restoration.