Astro Theater
|
Astro Theater
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Location: | Omaha, Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: | 41°15′25.89″N 95°56′32.78″W / 41.2571917°N 95.9424389°WCoordinates: 41°15′25.89″N 95°56′32.78″W / 41.2571917°N 95.9424389°W |
| Built: | 1926[2] |
| Architect: | John Eberson[2] |
| Architectural style: | Classical Revival, Exotic Revival, Other |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 74001108[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | August 13, 1974 |
| Designated OMAL: | October 21, 1980[2] |
The Astro Theater originally opened as The Riviera and is now known as the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center or The Rose.[2] It is located at 2001 Farnam Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Built in 1926 in a combination of both Moorish and Classical styles, the building was rehabilitated in 1986.[3]
History [edit]
Noted for lavish stage shows combined with movies, the Riviera was regarded as one of the most elegant entertainment facilities in the Midwest. John Eberson, a nationally notable architect, built the theater as an example of the "atmospheric" theater popular during the 1920s. In a style created by Eberson, these atmospheric theaters simulated romantic outdoor Mediterranean courtyards with a night sky above, including twinkling stars and drifting clouds.[4]
The exterior of the building features a large copper domed tower, flanked by two smaller towers of similar detailing. The diamond-patterned brick facades contain oriel windows, elaborate cornices, glazed terra-cotta tile copings, and a series of free-standing columns which support griffins.[5]
Creighton University sold the Astro Theater to Rose Blumkin of the Nebraska Furniture Mart on June 24, 1981.[6] In the early 1990s it was renovated and transformed into the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center and currently serves as the home of the Emmy Gifford Children's Theater.[7][8]
References [edit]
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23.
- ^ a b c d "Omaha Landmarks". Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
- ^ "Tax incentive program projects in Douglas County", Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- ^ "Nebraska National Register Sites in Douglas County", Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- ^ "Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center." Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- ^ "Creighton's history brick by brick", The Creightonian Online. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- ^ "Our Story Mrs. B." Nebraska Furniture Mart. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- ^ "The Rose", The Rose Performing Arts for Children and Families. Retrieved 12/2/07.
