Empress Theatre (Montreal): Difference between revisions
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[[File:Commercial. Empress Theatre Show BAnQ P48S1P08846.jpg|thumb|left|Empress Theatre in 1943]] |
[[File:Commercial. Empress Theatre Show BAnQ P48S1P08846.jpg|thumb|left|Empress Theatre in 1943]] |
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[[File:Cinema V.jpg|thumb|left|Cinema V in 1982.]] |
[[File:Cinema V.jpg|thumb|left|Cinema V in 1982.]] |
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Built in 1927 and designed by [[Joseph-Alcide Chaussé]], with interiors by [[Emmanuel Briffa]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imtl.org/montreal/building/Cinema-sherbrooke.php|title=Cinema V|work=Montreal Images|accessdate=21 December 2009}}</ref> it is the only theatre in Canada designed in the [[Egyptian Theatre|Egyptian style]] (inspired by the discovery of [[Tutankhamen]]'s tomb).<ref name="Lemire">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001546|title=Chaussé, Joseph-Alcide|last=LEMIRE|first=ROBERT |work=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]]|publisher=Historica-Dominion|accessdate=21 December 2009}}</ref> Opened as the ''Empress Theatre'', the building was a [[vaudeville]] theatre for [[burlesque]] and first-run films.<ref name="themonitor1">{{cite web|author=CA |url=http://www.themonitor.ca/article-314780-Empress-Cultural-Centre-waiting-for-funding-so-construction-can-begin.html |title=Empress Cultural Centre waiting for funding so construction can begin — Cultural activities — Arts — The Chronicle |publisher=Themonitor.ca |date=2009-03-17 |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref> In 1962 it was a [[dinner theatre]] called the ''Royal Follies''.<ref name="O'Hanley 05">{{cite news|url=http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=5493|title=Cinema V gets new lease on life |
Built in 1927 and designed by [[Joseph-Alcide Chaussé]], with interiors by [[Emmanuel Briffa]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imtl.org/montreal/building/Cinema-sherbrooke.php|title=Cinema V|work=Montreal Images|accessdate=21 December 2009}}</ref> it is the only theatre in Canada designed in the [[Egyptian Theatre|Egyptian style]] (inspired by the discovery of [[Tutankhamen]]'s tomb).<ref name="Lemire">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001546 |title=Chaussé, Joseph-Alcide |last=LEMIRE |first=ROBERT |work=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |publisher=Historica-Dominion |accessdate=21 December 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608210432/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001546 |archivedate=8 June 2011 |df= }}</ref> Opened as the ''Empress Theatre'', the building was a [[vaudeville]] theatre for [[burlesque]] and first-run films.<ref name="themonitor1">{{cite web|author=CA |url=http://www.themonitor.ca/article-314780-Empress-Cultural-Centre-waiting-for-funding-so-construction-can-begin.html |title=Empress Cultural Centre waiting for funding so construction can begin — Cultural activities — Arts — The Chronicle |publisher=Themonitor.ca |date=2009-03-17 |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref> In 1962 it was a [[dinner theatre]] called the ''Royal Follies''.<ref name="O'Hanley 05">{{cite news|url=http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=5493 |title=Cinema V gets new lease on life |last=O'Hanley |first=Stephanie |date=March 3, 2005 |work=Hour magazine |publisher=Communications Voir inc. |accessdate=21 December 2009 |location=Montreal |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717233816/http://www.hour.ca:80/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=5493 |archivedate=17 July 2007 |df= }}</ref> In 1968 it became a two-tiered art-movie cinema called ''Cinema V-Salle Hermes''. In 1974 it was briefly named ''The Home of the Blue Movies'' and in 1975 it became ''Cinema V'', a repertory cinema. In 1988 it was acquired by [[Famous Players]] and showed first-run films. In 1992 a fire caused damage to the theater resulting in its permanent closure. |
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==Current state== |
==Current state== |
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==Uncertain future== |
==Uncertain future== |
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Geordie Productions [http://geordie.ca], [[Black Theatre Workshop]], [[McGill Conservatory|McGill Music Conservatory]] and the City of Montreal planned to restore the building. The estimated cost was $11.8 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091122/mtl_empress_091122?hub=MontrealHome |title=CTV Montreal — Hopes for Empress spotlight to shine again — CTV News |publisher=Montreal.ctv.ca |date=2009-11-22 |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref><ref name="O'Hanley ">{{cite news|url=http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=14003|title=Cinema V building to become new cultural centre|last=O'Hanley |first=Stephanie |date=February 14, 2008 |work=[[Hour (magazine)|Hour magazine]]|publisher=Communications Voir inc.|accessdate=20 December 2009|location=Montreal}}</ref> The theatre was to be used for [[performance art|performance]] and [[visual arts]]<ref name="themonitor1"/> and included a café/art gallery and a 246-person concert hall.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heffez |first=Alanah |url=http://spacingmontreal.ca/2008/09/09/photo-du-jour-empress-theatre/ |title=Photo du Jour – Empress Theatre " Spacing Montreal |publisher=Spacingmontreal.ca |date=2008-09-09 |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref> It was to be home to Geordie Productions and [[Black Theatre Workshop]], and the McGill Conservatory planned to use the theatre for its music program.<ref name="themonitor1"/> |
Geordie Productions [http://geordie.ca], [[Black Theatre Workshop]], [[McGill Conservatory|McGill Music Conservatory]] and the City of Montreal planned to restore the building. The estimated cost was $11.8 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091122/mtl_empress_091122?hub=MontrealHome |title=CTV Montreal — Hopes for Empress spotlight to shine again — CTV News |publisher=Montreal.ctv.ca |date=2009-11-22 |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref><ref name="O'Hanley ">{{cite news|url=http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=14003 |title=Cinema V building to become new cultural centre |last=O'Hanley |first=Stephanie |date=February 14, 2008 |work=[[Hour (magazine)|Hour magazine]] |publisher=Communications Voir inc. |accessdate=20 December 2009 |location=Montreal |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319014831/http://www.hour.ca:80/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=14003 |archivedate=19 March 2008 |df= }}</ref> The theatre was to be used for [[performance art|performance]] and [[visual arts]]<ref name="themonitor1"/> and included a café/art gallery and a 246-person concert hall.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heffez |first=Alanah |url=http://spacingmontreal.ca/2008/09/09/photo-du-jour-empress-theatre/ |title=Photo du Jour – Empress Theatre " Spacing Montreal |publisher=Spacingmontreal.ca |date=2008-09-09 |accessdate=2010-07-30}}</ref> It was to be home to Geordie Productions and [[Black Theatre Workshop]], and the McGill Conservatory planned to use the theatre for its music program.<ref name="themonitor1"/> |
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In August 2010 the provincial government pulled funding and announced ownership would be returned to the city of Montreal by November.<ref>{{cite web|author=ANNE SUTHERLAND, The Gazette : |url=http://www.globaltoronto.com/city+montreal+taking+back+empress/3408003/story.html |title=City of Montreal taking back the Empress |publisher=Global Toronto |date=2010-08-17 |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref> Residents of NDG formed Renaissance Empress, dedicated to preserving the theatre and transforming it into a cultural centre, and delayed the move. On August 15, 2011 the city seized ownership. |
In August 2010 the provincial government pulled funding and announced ownership would be returned to the city of Montreal by November.<ref>{{cite web|author=ANNE SUTHERLAND, The Gazette : |url=http://www.globaltoronto.com/city+montreal+taking+back+empress/3408003/story.html |title=City of Montreal taking back the Empress |publisher=Global Toronto |date=2010-08-17 |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref> Residents of NDG formed Renaissance Empress, dedicated to preserving the theatre and transforming it into a cultural centre, and delayed the move. On August 15, 2011 the city seized ownership. |
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Revision as of 02:03, 24 December 2016
| The Empress Theatre | |
|---|---|
 Empress Theatre on Sherbrooke Street West in N.D.G. | |
 | |
| Alternative names | Cinema V |
| General information | |
| Type | Movie theatre |
| Architectural style | Egyptian Revival architecture |
| Location | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Address | 5560 Sherbrooke Street West |
| Coordinates | 45°28′18″N 73°36′46″W / 45.4718°N 73.6129°W |
| Current tenants | None |
| Inaugurated | 1927 |
| Owner | City of Montreal |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Joseph-Alcide Chaussé |
| Other designers | Emmanuel Briffa |
The Empress Theatre (also known as Cinema V), is an abandoned Egyptian-style theatre located on Sherbrooke Street West in N.D.G. district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It has been closed since 1992.
History
Built in 1927 and designed by Joseph-Alcide Chaussé, with interiors by Emmanuel Briffa,[1] it is the only theatre in Canada designed in the Egyptian style (inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb).[2] Opened as the Empress Theatre, the building was a vaudeville theatre for burlesque and first-run films.[3] In 1962 it was a dinner theatre called the Royal Follies.[4] In 1968 it became a two-tiered art-movie cinema called Cinema V-Salle Hermes. In 1974 it was briefly named The Home of the Blue Movies and in 1975 it became Cinema V, a repertory cinema. In 1988 it was acquired by Famous Players and showed first-run films. In 1992 a fire caused damage to the theater resulting in its permanent closure.
Current state
The abandoned building is slowly deteriorating and its perimeter fenced off. In 2005 community organizers opened a small one room office on the ground floor (left corner of building; location of a former health food store) as a headquarters for the building's restoration. The office was closed by the city in December 2011, leaving the building vacant and continuing to deteriorate.
Uncertain future
Geordie Productions [1], Black Theatre Workshop, McGill Music Conservatory and the City of Montreal planned to restore the building. The estimated cost was $11.8 million.[5][6] The theatre was to be used for performance and visual arts[3] and included a café/art gallery and a 246-person concert hall.[7] It was to be home to Geordie Productions and Black Theatre Workshop, and the McGill Conservatory planned to use the theatre for its music program.[3]
In August 2010 the provincial government pulled funding and announced ownership would be returned to the city of Montreal by November.[8] Residents of NDG formed Renaissance Empress, dedicated to preserving the theatre and transforming it into a cultural centre, and delayed the move. On August 15, 2011 the city seized ownership.
In January 2012, the borough of N.D.G. announced any non-profit group with a plan for the building present it by May 11, 2012. The city stated it will not provide any funding for the building.
On September 5, 2012, the borough voted to accept Cinema NDG's proposal. Their initial plan was to open a movie theater with four screening rooms and set aside 20% of the building for commercial use. Restoration of the building was estimated at $12 million.[9] Cinema NDG was given until December 31, 2013 to find financial backing, but failed to meet the deadline; two extensions were granted in 2014 and 2015 but Cinema NDG failed to meet these as well. On November 2, 2015 the city voted to grant a third and final extension, for June 30, 2016,[10] but yet again Cinema NDG failed to meet the deadline, forfeiting the project.
In late September 2016, in hopes of a new start, Cinema NDG submitted a revised and scaled back plan to the city, bringing the estimate cost down to $9.5 million. The city has stated it will not transfer ownership of the building unless Cinema NDG can prove it has secured 100% of the funding. Currently, no deal has been accepted[11]
References
- ^ "Cinema V". Montreal Images. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ LEMIRE, ROBERT. "Chaussé, Joseph-Alcide". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c CA (2009-03-17). "Empress Cultural Centre waiting for funding so construction can begin — Cultural activities — Arts — The Chronicle". Themonitor.ca. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ O'Hanley, Stephanie (March 3, 2005). "Cinema V gets new lease on life". Hour magazine. Montreal: Communications Voir inc. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "CTV Montreal — Hopes for Empress spotlight to shine again — CTV News". Montreal.ctv.ca. 2009-11-22. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ O'Hanley, Stephanie (February 14, 2008). "Cinema V building to become new cultural centre". Hour magazine. Montreal: Communications Voir inc. Archived from the original on 19 March 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Heffez, Alanah (2008-09-09). "Photo du Jour – Empress Theatre " Spacing Montreal". Spacingmontreal.ca. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ ANNE SUTHERLAND, The Gazette : (2010-08-17). "City of Montreal taking back the Empress". Global Toronto. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyHVVeJ6smY&feature=youtu.be
- ^ http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/cinema-v-revival-back-on-track-as-borough-extends-fundraising-deadline
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/empress-theatre-revitalization-project-1.3806351
External links
