Beverly Hills Unified School District recently celebrated the meticulous transformation and grand opening of El Rodeo Elementary School in Beverly Hills, California. On August 11, HMC Architects, Fonder-Salari, Pringle Group, Hohbach-Lewin, Jensen Hughes, Historic Resources Group, and ProWest Constructors joined community leaders, district representatives, and school faculty and staff to celebrate the start of the new school year with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and grand opening.

El Rodeo Elementary School is a testament to the delicate balance between heritage and progress. Established in the heart of Beverly Hills in 1927, this facility has undergone a transformation that embraces modernity while honoring its storied past. The historic modernization and seismic retrofit project sought to preserve the school’s Spanish Renaissance Revival facades and iconic dome, ensuring that every detail, from intricate ceiling designs to ornate molding, remained untouched by time.

This project, funded by Measure BH, with an initial budget of $153 million, involved seismic retrofitting and modernization of the five buildings comprising the 118,000 SF El Rodeo campus. This highly complex project was divided into seven phases: selective demolition, asbestos abatement, erosion control, heating and air conditioning work, historical cast stone and exterior ornamental tile restoration, and theater restoration. In addition to preserving the historic elements, we restored the 673-seat auditorium to replicate the original ceiling, provided new seating, and incorporated modern audio-visual systems. Additional upgrades included fire alarm and fire protection systems, new HVAC systems, electrical upgrades, new pathways and paving, shade structures, and landscaping.

As El Rodeo reopens its doors, it symbolizes not just a return to education within its hallowed halls but a celebration of a community’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural legacy while paving the way for future generations.