March 30, 2026
Re-Opening of Paper Mill Playhouse's Carriage House Restaurant
KSS Architects is pleased to announce the completion of the newly renovated and expanded F.M. Kirby Carriage House Restaurant at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. The $8.5 million renovation and expansion transforms the historic structure into a multi-concept, full-service dining and event venue.
Paper Mill's investment in its physical campus reflects a bold commitment to ensuring that live theater remains a vital, inclusive, and thriving art form for audiences old and new. The Carriage House marks the second phase of a $48.8 million campus-wide transformation, including Front and Back of House spaces, and site amenities to support Paper Mill Playhouse’s mission to be the premier musical theater destination in the region.
Paper Mill Playhouse has called Millburn home for more than 85 years, and this renovation is a testament to our commitment to its future. By reimagining our campus from the ground up, we are ensuring that world-class musical theater, and the full experience surrounding it, remains accessible, welcoming, and special for every audience member who walks through our doors.
Mike Stotts, Executive Director, Paper Mill Playhouse
The design concept for the Carriage House Restaurant is rooted in a "past, present, and future" framework, honoring the site's origins as a historic paper mill, celebrating Paper Mill Playhouse's legacy as a producer of original theatrical works, and positioning the campus for its next chapter. Drawing inspiration from Paper Mill's own production of The Great Gatsby, the interior extends the theatrical experience into the dining environment through curved architectural beams, integrated lighting, decorative murals, and intimate banquette seating. Developed in close coordination with the local historic committee, the renovation and expansion carefully preserves and reinterprets the historic character of the Paper Mill Playhouse campus while introducing the modern amenities and accessibility today's audiences expect.
Paper Mill Playhouse is a beloved institution, and this project called for a design response equal to its ambitions. The goal was not simply to modernize the building, but to create an experience worthy of the work happening on its stage, one that welcomes audiences and elevates everyone behind the scenes. KSS is honored to be part of that story.
Merilee Meacock, AIA, NCARB, PP, LEED AP, Partner, KSS Architects
The next phase of the project will expand and renovate the Paper Mill Playhouse front of house. The expansion will feature a new modern façade with extensive glazing, offering views inward to the activity within and outward to the plaza and natural landscape beyond. The roofline of the new pavilion honors the legacy of the existing campus, while natural materials in warm tones and a shared material palette will bridge old and new, honoring the site's history while signaling a bold next chapter.
KSS Architects is serving as lead architect on the project, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. Tate Design Group developed the carriage house interior design vision; Mount Companies served as owner's representative; CMTA provided MEP, fire protection, and acoustical engineering; MET Interactive led AV/IT design; Corsi contributed kitchen design services; Harrison-Hamnett provided structural engineering; and Dynamic Engineering Consultants are providing additional engineering support. Phelps Construction Group is the general contractor.
Merilee Meacock and Danielle Lozzi were on hand to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Paper Mill Playhouse’s newly renovated F.M. Kirby Carriage House Restaurant.
