A former auto dealership in downtown Lawrenceville has been converted into a new performance and event space.

The Pearl Centre opened this week at 1002 State Street following about a year and a half of renovations. The building, which dates back to the 1920s, had operated for decades as a car dealership before being redeveloped into its current use.  It’s been known locally as the Albright Motors building.

Owner Jan Loeb says the project was designed to create a permanent stage while also allowing the building to host a range of other activities.  In addition, it now serves as the home of the Lawrence County Arts Council.

“We just opened today for our grand opening of the venue. We’ve had two performances by our local arts council so far. And now the rest of the space has been completed. So we were ready to show the public what the rest of the building looks like and what other functions it can perform.”

Loeb says renovations began about a year and a half ago and focused on adapting the structure into a space that could support both performances and events.

“I started the renovations about a year and a half ago. It’s taken a while, but… I have a passion for theater and community theater, and in particular, and it was a good chance to afford a stage that would be a permanent fixture for the Arts Council to reside and perform their shows.”

The facility includes a theater, a showroom space, and an area referred to as the promenade. Each of those areas can be used for different purposes, including performances, meetings, and private events.

Events Manager Kari Anne Moye says the layout allows the building to be used in multiple ways.

“Yes. You can rent the theater for events or even something to do with a theater type of thing. Or, you know, it’d be great to show pictures at a wedding or different things like that. The showroom is across the hall… and then the room we’re sitting in now, we’re calling the promenade… and the promenade can also be rented out as well.”

Moye says the theater can accommodate around 150 people, with additional space available throughout the building depending on the event.

She says several events are already scheduled in the coming months, including a denim and pearls event, a magician performance in May, a silver ball in June for those 50 and older, and a grandmother and princess tea.

The Pearl Centre is now open and available for both public events and private rentals.

The open house continues today (Wed 4/22)  through 6 p.m. Central Time.