Lakewood Theater restoration recognized at annual Preservation Dallas Preservation Achievement Awards event.

It was an evening and a ceremony that marked a dramatic reversal of the events from 2015, when the community surrounding the iconic Lakewood Theater feared that the building would shortly fall to the wrecking ball. On this night, in the beautiful Lone Star Gas Lofts in Downtown Dallas, the recent restoration of the exterior of the Lakewood was recognized with a Preservation Achievement Award from Preservation Dallas. In the photo, Norman Alston, FAIA and architect of the restoration, is receiving the award on behalf of the theater from current Preservation Dallas President Joanna Hampton, AIA. Theater owners Bill Willingham and Craig Kinney, who had worked with the community and the City of Dallas to allay their fears about demolition, were not available to attend the celebration on May 15, 2019.

Appropriately, in 2015 it was Ms. Hampton who represented the interests of the local community in their discussions with the theater owners, well in advance of her current position as President of Preservation Dallas.