Working with Atlanta’s Economic Development Corporation and architect Richard Rothman, FDA transformed a nondescript 1960’s movie theatre into an attractive, functional, multipurpose and actively programmed performing arts space.

Reconfigured as a 833-seat room, the Rialto is the university’s premiere venue for music. FDA retrofitted the theatre with a new stage, and with state-of-the-art acoustical, stage lighting, and rigging to allow it to host an active and varied concert program.

After the theater’s roof was raised 12 feet. The Rialto Center now boasts superb acoustics. Interior renovations include a larger lobby to handle patrons, box office facilities, ADA-accessible improvements, new stage with proscenium, orchestra pit and 833 new comfortable seats. The adjacent eight-floor Haas-Howell Building houses the backstage facilities, the Dahlberg Room (the Green Room), and administrative offices for the Rialto Center on the second and third floors.