Bolling Haxall House Auditorium Renovation Completed
The Woman's Club in Richmond unveiled its newly restored 1915 auditorium following a one-year project.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The historic Bolling Haxall House has finished a $2.4 million renovation of its auditorium, which was originally built in 1915. The Woman's Club unveiled the restored space to guests on Thursday after a year of construction.
Why it matters
The project aimed to restore the auditorium to its 1915 design while upgrading essential electrical and sound systems. This effort preserves a significant architectural landmark while modernizing it for contemporary use.
The total renovation project cost $2.4 million, with $1.8 million dedicated specifically to construction work. An additional $600,000 covered fundraising expenses and lost revenue.
The players
The Woman's Club
This historic organization has operated out of the Bolling Haxall House since purchasing the Richmond property in 1900.
3North
This architecture firm was responsible for creating the design and road map for the auditorium restoration project.
Daniel & Co.
This firm served as the general contractor for the renovation of the auditorium at 211 E. Franklin St.
The details
Architecture firm 3North developed the renovation road map, and Daniel & Co. served as the general contractor. The work marks the first major update to the auditorium since 1988.
Timeline
1858: The Bolling Haxall House was originally built.
1915: The auditorium was first constructed.
1988: The auditorium received its last major renovation.
Thursday: The renovated space was unveiled to guests.
Early next year: The capital campaign is expected to meet its goal.
Culture Shift
The restoration reflects a broader trend of preserving historic venues to meet modern standards rather than replacing them. This project maintains the legacy of the Bolling Haxall House auditorium, which was last updated in 1988, by balancing 1915 aesthetics with modern infrastructure.
The newly updated auditorium will now offer upgraded sound and electrical systems for members and visitors attending events at the downtown facility. These improvements ensure the historic space remains a functional venue for the community.
The takeaway
This renovation highlights the significant financial commitment required to maintain historic properties while upgrading them for modern use. Supporters should note that while construction is complete, the final fundraising push remains ongoing.
What happens next
The capital campaign for the Bolling Haxall House auditorium is expected to reach its final fundraising goal by early next year.
Further reading
For more information on preservation projects in the area, visit the Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Richmond BizSense.
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