State-of-the-art facility showcases firm’s commitment to arts education and community engagement

Irvine, Calif. –February 21, 2025 – C.W. Driver Companies, proudly announced the completion of the highly anticipated Irvine High School Performing Arts Center, a cutting-edge facility designed to inspire creativity and support the performing arts. The $35 million, 25,000-square-foot, single-story complex opened its doors to the community during a grand opening celebration on February 7, 2025.

The state-of-the-art venue features a 650-seat main theater equipped with advanced sound, lighting, and rigging systems, providing students and the community with a professional-grade performance experience. Additional spaces include a Black Box theater, Scene Shop, Dressing Rooms, and a modern lobby, ensuring the facility supports a wide range of performances, rehearsals, and events. The steel and metal frame diaphragm building features a combination of metal panels, plaster, and curtain wall system finishes.

“We are honored to have worked on such a world-class performing arts center, which will serve as a beacon of creativity and collaboration for students throughout the district and the Irvine greater community,” said Ashcon Hekmat, Project Manager, C.W. Driver Companies.

The ground-up construction, which began in January 2023 and was completed in early 2025, showcases C.W. Driver Companies’ expertise in delivering innovative and sustainable construction projects. From the initial demolition and site preparation to the final finishes, the team prioritized quality and functionality, creating a space that elevates the arts and provides long-term value to the community. Additional services in the first phase included site utility relocations, grading, and deep soil mixing columns/ground improvements. Phase two consisted of building construction, site paving, concrete flatwork, utility systems, and landscape planting/irrigation.

“We have envisioned this facility for years, and it’s truly exciting to see it come to life,” said Kelvin Okino, Executive Director, Facilities and Construction, Irvine Unified School District. “Through the voter’s passage of Bond Measure E, we were able to construct a new state-of-the art Performing Arts Center. The success of the project is a testament to the incredible collaboration and partnership we’ve had with C.W. Driver Companies throughout this process. Together, we’ve created a space that will empower creativity and serve our community for generations to come.”

On February 7, 2025, the community celebrated the grand opening of the complex, featuring performances by Irvine High School students, guided tours of the facility, and remarks from school and community leaders. This event celebrated not only the completion of the facility but also its role in fostering the next generation of creative talent.

C.W. Driver Companies’ legacy of delivering transformative educational spaces includes projects such as modernizations for Chino Valley USD at Ayala and Don Lugo High School’s as well as ten elementary schools throughout the district; Santa Monica-Malibu USD – New Malibu High School, Phase 1 and Roosevelt Elementary School – TK/K New Classrooms & Library; Menifee Union SD  – Sally Buselt Elementary School, Kathryn Newport Middle School Phase 2 and Menifee Valley Middle School Reconstruction; San Diego USD’s La Jolla Elementary School, John Muir Language Academy, and Darnall Charter School Whole Site Modernizations, in addition to the new K-5 technology-oriented Nipaquay Elementary School, San Dieguito UHSD’s Torrey Pines High School, Aquatic Center and Athletic Facilities, Torrey Pines HS Modernization & New Digital Arts Building and Pacific Trails Middle School, Granada Hills Charter’s New TK-8 School Facility, Irvine USD’s New Solis Park K-8 School and Flintridge Preparatory School Bachmann Collaboration Building, and Brentwood School Saltair West Annex and Parking Garage. The completion of the Performing Arts Complex reinforces the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in educational construction.

This project is a collaboration between C.W. Driver Companies and Ruhnau Clarke Architects.

About C.W. Driver Companies 

C.W. Driver Companies is a premier builder serving California since 1919. In 2019, the historic company proudly celebrated its 100-year anniversary. As a leader in general contracting and construction management services, C.W. Driver Companies are on the cutting edge across a broad spectrum of industries, including education, entertainment and sports, retail, civic and cultural, commercial, office, hospitality and gaming, residential, and senior living markets, commercial/office, technology, mixed-use, assisted living, entertainment, retail, industrial and civic. Ranked in Engineering News Record’s Top 150 General Contractors and Top 100 Construction Managers, C.W. Driver Companies has the ability to build a variety of projects, from large tenant improvements to small renovations and specialized projects through its affiliates Driver SPG and Good & Roberts. C.W. Driver Companies has offices located in Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga, Anaheim, San Diego and Carlsbad. For more information, please visit www.cwdriver.com. Follow C.W. Driver Companies on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.