The Press Room

The Press Room has been an important music destination and gathering place in Portsmouth for over 40 years. In 2016 the building was purchased by visionary owners dedicated to preserving the integrity of the historic building and the cultural legacy of the venue.

The project team was challenged with rehabilitating the space and preserving its historic assets and local feel while maximizing the potential for the performance area. The original 19th century masonry 3-story structure and later 2-story addition on the rear created a long and narrow proportion that limited the use of the space due to the required egress configuration. The goal was to work out these issues while preserving the bar placement and general flow on the first and second floors. Along the way there were further challenges including the structural integrity of the building requiring a significant overhaul of the framing and foundation.

As the construction removals revealed a series of significant structural issues – the project was reevaluated and the extensive rebuilding of the rear addition resulted in a proposed 3rd floor expansion. The proposed addition created a high level of scrutiny from the public and the Historic Commission with concerns of the visual impact to the adjacent historic Custom House. The final approval utilized contemporary panel cladding with slatted mechanical screens. This contrasting solution was preferred abutting the historic structures as a modern addition representing the present moment. This new space provided additional programming including a Green Room and Office for performers and operations bringing the total space to 3,860 sf.

Overall the challenges became opportunities to reimagine the space beyond the initial conception. The added steel for the center span reduced the columns in the space while the new exposed timber floor frame and diagonal board sheathing reintroduced an authenticity reminiscent of the building’s former glory. The desired open concept and high-performance acoustics further pushed the engineering to develop a solution for a 2-story stage and mezzanine space for experiencing the music.

After an enormous effort by everyone involved and a budget surpassing $1,000,000 – the doors were opened in October of 2018. Those who had frequented the establishment faithfully for many years were delighted for The Press Room to return – with a refreshed space but the same heart and soul. Since opening, the upgraded venue has people from both near and far coming to enjoy the historic neighborhood pub and constant stream of diverse performances.