Originally called the Guild Theatre and built in 1925, the Virginia Theatre was modeled after a 15th Century Florentine palazzo. After several renovations the theatre was stripped of all its ornament. FRA's goal was to make the house more visually interesting and return to its original Italianate style. To achieve this aesthetic the key features developed in the house consisted of faux balconies, reinstated arched exit doorways and mural friezes. The orchestra seating was re-shaped to improve sight lines and the sidewalls were curved to frame the proscenium emphasizing the stage's significance. Another prominent feature was the beamed and bracketed ceiling, which was re-built in the front of house. Technical upgrades included new box boom positions, emergency lighting and extensive rewiring through out the theatre.