Coliseum Theater (Seattle)
Coliseum Theater | |
 The Coliseum Theater on a winter day. | |
  | |
| Location | 5th Ave. and Pike St., Seattle, Washington |
|---|---|
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Priteca, B. Marcus |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Second Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001854[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | July 7, 1975 |
| Designated SEATL | January 17, 1978[2] |
The Coliseum Theater, a former cinema in Seattle, Washington, opened January 8, 1916.[3] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975,[1] and is also an official Seattle city landmark.[4] Designed by B. Marcus Priteca, it was Seattle's first theater built specifically for showing movies, and was one of the first cinemas anywhere to strive for architectural grandeur.[5] When it opened, it was advertised as "the world’s largest and finest photoplay palace."[3] In 1931, the Journal of the Royal Institute of Architects called it "the first of the world's movie palaces."[5]
The exterior features elaborate terra cotta work, and the original interior was comparably ornate. When it opened in the silent film era, it boasted a 7-piece orchestra plus an organist; the giant organ was made by Moller, and the musicians—all Russians—were reputed to be the highest-paid movie theater musicians in the country. Anita King attended the opening night to give a speech dedicating the theater.[3]
The Coliseum continued as a first-run theater into the late 1970s,[5] and continued to show films until 1990.[3] In 1995, the building was rehabilitated as a Banana Republic clothing store.[5]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "Landmarks and Designation". Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Flom, Eric L. (July 12, 2000). "Coliseum opens in Seattle on January 8, 1916". HistoryLink. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
- ^ "Landmarks Alphabetical Listing for C". Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Coliseum Theater". Seattle: A National Register of Historic Places Itinerary. National Park Service. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
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- Theatres completed in 1916
- National Register of Historic Places in Seattle, Washington
- Landmarks in Seattle, Washington
- Former cinemas in the United States
- Terracotta
- Buildings and structures in Seattle, Washington
- Cinemas and movie theaters in Washington (state)
- Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state)
- Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places
- Downtown Seattle