Adaptive Reuse at U-Haul Moving & Storage at Black Rock

The Beverly Theatre opened in Bridgeport Connecticut on October 26, 1949. The theatre was founded and operated by the Elmwood Theatre Corporation who owned several different theatres throughout the state of Connecticut. The theatre was designed by the renowned William Riseman Associates architecture firm and incorporated a mid-century modern design throughout. The theatre boasted iconic rock walls on the exterior entrance, a whimsical color pattern of blue, grey and tangerine on the interior, maroon carpets with a yellow tulip design and railings made of birch.  On opening night the theater showcased a double feature, they played “The Rope of Sand” starring Burt Lancaster & “Illegal Entry: Formula for Fear” starring Sabryn Gene’t. Before the theatre closed in the 1980’s, they offered viewings of second run features for only 99 cents! Sadly, the Beverly Theatre officially shuttered their doors the summer of 1985. 

The locally iconic Beverly Theatre building was built in 1949 and U-Haul acquired the property in 1995 for adaptive reuse. Adaptive reuse building conversions allow U-Haul to promote infill development to meet citizens’ needs while preserving the natural resources and land normally required for new construction. Adaptive reuse also allows resources to be focused on integrating environmentally thoughtful features into the existing building rather than creating waste in the form of demolition and using valuable resources for new construction. 

Serving U-Haul customers since 1995, this facility was built through adaptive reuse of an abandoned building. Adaptive reuse promotes infill development in an effort to strengthen communities, with the following benefits achieved at this site: 

• 817 tons of metal manufacturing & transportation prevented 
• 2,724 tons of new concrete pours avoided 
• 3,580 tons of construction and demolition debris prevented 

Energy-efficiency and waste-reduction programs at this facility provide the following estimated benefits each year for the Bridgeport community: 

• 8,703 kWh annual energy savings 
• 4,377,912 lbs greenhouse gas emissions prevented 

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  Steel Production 817 tons (741 tonnes) of steel manufacturing and delivery saved to date

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  Energy 8,703 kWh annual energy savings

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  Concrete 2,724 tons (2,472 tonnes) of new concrete pours avoided to date

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  Emissions 4,377,912 lbs (1,985,808 kgs) of greenhouse gas emissions prevented

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  Landfill Debris 3,580 lbs (3,249 kgs) of construction debris prevented

• U-Haul Moving & Storage at Black Rock
• Take a peek inside the historical theatre...