Rendering/ Courtesy Archetype Architects
The 400-seat capacity fills a gap in Portland’s portfolio of many larger and smaller performance venues.
June 22, 2025
Portland arts nonprofit plans $18M theater expansion
Rendering/ Courtesy Archetype Architects
The new building will be 21,637 square feet, which includes a state-of-the-art, 400-seat theater.
The Hill Arts — a nonprofit performance venue atop Portland's Munjoy Hill — aims to raise $18 million to fund construction of a 400-seat multifunctional performing arts space.
The building, located in the former St. Lawrence Church at 76 Congress St., will be adjacent to the nonprofit’s existing Parish Hall Theater, which has hosted shows since 2001.
An anonymous $5 million donation kickstarted the campaign, which has raised $9 million to date.
“As founder of this organization I can say that we are at a place that began not only out of necessity but also out of care and concern for an important piece of community infrastructure — the historic St. Lawrence Church,” said Deirdre Nice, the nonprofit’s executive director.
The organization has approvals and planning documents for the project. It is Iexpected to break ground this October, with completion by early 2027.
The design team includes Archetype Architects and NewHeight Group, both in Portland, as well as Freeport-based Zachau Construction.
The space will be available to artists, community arts partners, area schools and nonprofits.
Vintage church
Hill Arts was started by Nice when she was co-owner of the former Silly's restaurant at the bottom of Munjoy Hill. In 1993, she bought the St. Lawrence Church, a building dating back to 1897, with the idea of turning it into a community arts center. That idea began to take shape when a nonprofit called the Friends of the St. Lawrence Church bought the property in 1996.
The Friends discovered that the sanctuary side of the building, with 500 seats, was in disrepair. The group installed a 110-seat in the parish hall and in 2001 began offering concerts, plays, musicals and other performing artists.
Photo / Courtesy The Hill Arts
The building will be next to the nonprofit’s existing Parish Hall Theater, where shows have been offered since 2001.
The sanctuary was torn down in 2008.
The nonprofit hired Archetype in 2012 to design a modern building for the vacant lot, with the idea that it would be a space useable for all arts disciplines as well as the general public and schools.
In talking with arts and community groups, it emerged that many needed a year-round, mid-size venue with sight and sound lines optimized for performances, said Julia Kirby, the nonprofit’s development director.
The planning process took a while and was interrupted by the pandemic. The arrival of a major donor in 2021 added fuel to the project.
In 2023, St. Lawrence Arts rebranded as the Hill Arts and the expansion plan got the green light from the Portland Planning Department.
Filling a gap
The new building will be 21,637 square feet, which includes a lower level with support space such as green rooms, bathrooms and a catering kitchen. The first floor will house a state-of-the-art, 400-seat theater and lobby space. The upper level includes a multi-functional “promenade” room whose uses will include exhibits, performances and events.
The parish hall will continue to be used for performances, workshops and rehearsals.
Rendering/ Courtesy Archetype Architects
The upper level includes a multi-functional “promenade” room whose uses will include exhibits, performances and events.
Architectural features will include a granite front to complement the parish hall’s stone façade. Exterior and interior perforated metal screens will have lighting features.
The 400-seat capacity fills a gap in Portland’s venues, said Jamie Isaacson, the Hill Arts’ capital campaign chair and board member.
Despite many large and small performance venues, the city lacks space that is mid-sized, variable and affordable for many local professional organizations and artists, he said. The venue could also attract performers who bypass the city due the inadequate venue options.
Rendering/ Courtesy Archetype Architects
Amenities will include a lobby, green rooms and catering kitchen.
That could include individual artists, musicians and production companies, ranging from amateur or school recitals to full-scale equity theater and musical shows. The performance spaces will be suitable for performances including music, film, theater, comedy, dance and multi-media events, as well as community programs and events.
Bus stops and Steinways
The nonprofit is collaborating with Greater Portland Metro, the region’s public transportation system, on a plan to increase bus runs along Congress Street.
The plan is to provide a subsidy to the transit service, possibly with contributions from other arts organizations along the corridor, to make it easier for arts consumers to access destinations from downtown parking.
The nonprofit is looking at acquiring two Steinway grand pianos, one to reside on or near the stage for easy access and use for performers and the other for the lobby, with the ability to move it via elevator to the promenade room.
If the Hill Arts exceeds its current campaign goal, the acquisition would be added into the overall budget. If not, there would be a separate capital campaign that would start after building construction starts, said Kirby. The goal would be to raise $250,000 to buy and maintain the piano.
Most of the world’s greatest pianists will only play on a Steinway, Isaacson said.
For a virtual tour of the building, click here.
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