Having recently undergone a multi-million dollar renovation, the Lido Theater has been honored with a 2026 Preservation Award by the Art Deco Society of California.
The committee awards recipients who have demonstrated a commitment to preserving California art deco buildings, art, and culture. The award was presented to the Lido Theater at the 41st Annual Art Deco Preservation Ball at The Hibernia in San Francisco and was accepted by project designer Margee Drews and project manager John Loper on behalf of the owner, Fritz Duda Company.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized for the preservation and meticulous restoration of the Lido Theater,” said owner Fritz Duda. “As one of the most notable theaters in Southern California, The Lido and its Art Deco design allow guests to step back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood.”
The theater was originally designed by architect Clifford A. Blach, and built by the Griffith Company, a firm that has historical ties to the development of Newport Beach. It was purchased by the Fritz Duda Company in 1986, and in October 2024, the Lido unveiled the results of an extensive renovation project that had taken more than five years to complete.
The restoration included new seating, lighting, carpet, and a larger stage with velvet curtaining. And the exterior color palette matched the original stucco from the theater’s earliest days.
The Lido Theater is located at Via Lido Plaza at 3459 Via Lido in Newport Beach, near the entrance of the Balboa Peninsula. For more information including a schedule of upcoming movies and live events, visit thelidotheater.com.
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