The Grand Oshkosh
The Grand Opera House was designed by local architect William Waters and constructed in 1883. It has served the community for more than 140 years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the State Register of Historic Places.
Annex Renovation and Entrance Addition Project
Project Overview
The City of Oshkosh and The Grand Oshkosh Foundation are planning improvements to the historic Grand Opera House and its attached Annex.
The project will renovate key areas of the Grand Opera House while expanding and modernizing the Annex to better serve patrons, performers, staff, and the community. Improvements are intended to preserve the character of one of downtown Oshkosh’s most important historic landmarks while addressing accessibility, safety, building-system, and operational needs.
TR Karrels has been engaged to coordinate architecture and engineering services, including design, bid specifications and construction management.
Current Status
The City and The Grand Oshkosh are continuing project planning, design coordination, cost estimating, and fundraising efforts.
The Grand Oshkosh Foundation first approached the City in 2023 with a proposed public-private partnership to renovate and improve the facility. The project is planned to be funded equally by the City and private fundraising efforts.
A final project scope, construction schedule, and total budget will be determined as planning and design progress.
Why Are We Doing This?
The Grand Oshkosh is a historic cultural venue and a downtown destination for performances, events, education, and community gatherings.
The project will help preserve and improve the building for future generations by addressing planned capital improvement needs, enhancing accessibility, improving public safety, and updating spaces that support theater operations and the visitor experience.
The Annex addition will improve the arrival experience for patrons by creating a covered, accessible entrance and providing improved circulation, restrooms, elevator access, gathering spaces, and other amenities. It will also improve support spaces needed for theater productions, including backstage receiving, stage preparation, storage, and lighting-control functions.
The project is intended to complement—not replicate—the historic Opera House.
The proposed addition draws inspiration from architectural elements found in nearby William Waters-designed buildings, including the Grand Opera House and the former Athearn Hotel. Design concepts may include masonry bays, semicircular arches, stone detailing, repeated window patterns, and balconies that create additional gathering space.
The addition will use a contemporary interpretation of these historic elements so it relates to the surrounding downtown architecture while remaining distinguishable from the original 1883 theater.
Only a limited portion of the addition is expected to connect directly to the historic Opera House. The remainder is planned to preserve visual distinction among the historic theater, the existing Annex, and the new construction.
Planned Improvements
Planned renovation and improvement work includes:
- Updated lobby restrooms
- Enhanced ADA accessibility and circulation
- A covered, accessible off-street patron entrance
- Accessible parking near the entrance
- New emergency generator
- New windows and doors
- New theater seating
- Wallpaper restoration
- High Avenue front façade restoration
- Improved patron gathering, lounge, and event spaces
- Improvements to backstage receiving, stage preparation, storage, and lighting-control areas
- Renovation and expansion of Annex support spaces
Project Location
The Annex Entrance Addition is planned to use property north and west of the existing Annex.
Expanding the available site area will help the project address long-standing accessibility, circulation, and public-safety challenges while improving the overall visitor arrival experience.
Project Budget
The most recent preliminary project estimate is approximately $10 million to $11 million.
The Oshkosh Common Council approved $5 million toward improvements at The Grand. The project is intended to be a 50/50 public-private partnership, with The Grand Oshkosh Foundation fundraising a matching private contribution.
The final budget will be established as project design, scope, fundraising, and construction costs are further defined.
Project Images
Conceptual Renderings
Key Milestones
| Timeframe |
Milestone |
| 2023 |
The Grand Oshkosh Foundation presented a proposal to the City for renovation and improvement of the Grand Opera House. |
| December 10, 2024 |
Common Council unanimously approved Resolution 24-673, including a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that formalized a public-private partnership with The Grand Oshkosh Inc., to support a planned $10 million renovation and expansion project (known as the One Opera House Square Capital Project), split evenly with a $5 million matching commitment from both the City and the Foundation. |
| Ongoing |
Project planning, design coordination, cost estimating, and fundraising. |
| 4Q 2026 |
Final scope, bid documents, and construction schedule. |
| To Be Determined |
Project completion. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the project?
Planned work includes accessibility improvements, lobby restroom updates, theater seating, windows and doors, emergency power, historic restoration work, patron amenities, and backstage operational improvements.
Why is an Annex addition needed?
The existing Annex provides essential support functions, including ticketing, restrooms, elevator access, coat check, patron gathering areas, backstage functions, and access to the theater’s upper level. The addition would improve the Annex’s ability to support these functions while addressing accessibility, circulation, safety, and visitor-service needs.
Will the project preserve the historic Opera House?
Yes. Preserving the historic character of the Opera House is a central project goal. The proposed addition is intended to complement the historic building while remaining visually distinct from the original 1883 theater.
How will the project improve accessibility?
The project is planned to provide a covered, accessible entrance, accessible parking near the entrance, improved circulation, updated restrooms, and enhanced elevator access. These improvements will make it easier for patrons, performers, and visitors with disabilities to use the facility.
How will the project be funded?
The project is planned as a 50/50 public-private partnership. The City has committed $5 million, and The Grand Oshkosh Foundation is expected to raise a matching private contribution through fundraising.
What is the anticipated cost?
The most recent preliminary estimate is approximately $10 million to $11 million. The final cost will depend on the completed design, project scope, bid results, and available funding.
When will construction begin?
A construction start date has not yet been established. The City and The Grand Oshkosh are continuing planning, design, cost-estimating, and fundraising work.