Superior Scaffold’s ‘debut’ at Miller Theater

Superior Scaffold was called in by Clemens Construction recently to provide overhead protection and suspended scaffold for the renovation of the Miller Theater in Philadelphia.

Superior Scaffold recently worked on Philly’s Miller Theater, seen here. (Photo: Superior Scaffold)

The Miller Theater in Philadelphia is undergoing an extensive renovation aimed at restoring its historic grandeur. The project, which includes major updates to the entrance and lobby, is part of a larger $30 million restoration effort. Scheduled to continue through 2025, the renovations emphasize preserving and revitalizing original architectural features, such as murals and the iconic marble staircase.

The theater is known for its prestigious location for touring Broadway shows, so the building needed to look as good as the entertainment it puts on. Superior provided swing stages that crews used to reach every inch of the facade for cleaning, repairing, replacing and repointing.

According to Superior, one of the biggest challenges was to span the iconic Miller Theater front sign with giant 60-foot steel beams. Putting the beams in place around the ornamental light poles provided obstacles, Superior said.

“It’s a very impressive span to carry,” the company said. “Our engineers had to put their thinking caps on as how to handle that large gap. But in the end, they figured it out and the show went on.”