The Lyric Theatre was originally built in 1948. Between 1948 and 1963, it was a thriving entertainment centerpiece for Lexington’s African-American families. Originally built as a movie theatre, it became host to numerous jazz musicians in the 1950’s, including Count Basie, Ray Charles, and B.B. King. The original theatre was renovated in 2010 with the addition of a cultural arts center. This facility received LEED Gold certification and was the City’s first LEED-certified building.
The HVAC systems for this facility consist mainly of a variable refrigerant volume (VRV) system. Humidity control systems are provided for museum spaces. An independent make-up air unit provides tempered fresh air to the building while an independent air conditioning unit serves the theatre proper. The plumbing systems include low-flow plumbing fixtures and a solar water heater. The electrical systems include a lighting control system, state-of-the-art theatrical dimming and sound system, LED lighting, and flexible lighting systems in museum spaces.