It is located in Stowe Twp. If you or anyone else has an interest in the theater, please let me know. I would also appreciate any ideas you may have on how I can further market this property. It is a wonderful theater and hold many special memories for a lot of people. I would love to see it continue to be an asset to the community. Thanks!
I recently listed the “Parkway Theatre” located in the heart of West Park, Stowe Twp. PA. It is located just minutes from downtown, Pgh. I did have a potential buyer who wanted to restore the theater for 2nd run movies, performances, conferences, etc. to help strengthen the community but unfornately is relocating to another part of the country. As a real estate agent, I have had the opportunity to speak with many people who grew up in this area then raised their children and grandchildren. Stowe Twp. & the Parkway Theater has a wonderful history that many people still brag about today.
The Parkway Theatre is currently owned by a church. They have replaced the chairs, roof, installed 2 new furnaces/AC systems. Electrical & plumbing has also been updated.
It is still up for sale. We are hoping to find a buyer that can appreciate its history and use it to strengthen the community. If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested, please contact me at (). Thanks!
Ron, thanks pal, I just read your post above and went back in time. I left Pittsburgh, in 84 or 83, cant really recall, but one of my jobs for local # 171 was running screenings at Cinnemettes office that was in the building beside the Fulton theatre on 6th, Ave. I would be requested by Ed Blank to be his projectionist. He used to say I was the only one who could run perfect movies for him. I think he was lying, but was nice of him. He & I would sit and talk after the movie and trade thoughts on the movie, sometimes for more than an hour. Brought allot of good memories back to me.
Thanks Again.
Norelco
Sorry Pal, it is just the Warner is still a touchy subject with me, even after all these years. Cinemette was looking for any excuse to do in the Warner, and that stupid usher who stepped off that plank gave them what they were looking for. The same time there was a shop off to the right of the front entrance on 5th, Ave. that they also owned and wanted out of the Warner building. One night right after the ceiling incident, Jewish lightning hit the shop and burned it out. That was the end.You would think they would know after the failure of the Bank Cinema tower mall, witch they also ran, why would anyone think Pittsburgh needed another tower mall.Money was the real downfall of the Warner. I hope they all rot in hell.
Norelco
Was not at all bagging on Patsy, and am sorry if that’s what’s thought. My comment was to the point that gutting a theatre the way the Warner was, DESTROYS completely and should never be called adaptive reuse.
Take it easy on my friend Patsy,she has no idea just what a wonderfull Theatre the Warner was. It was probably the best acoustical, Theatre ever built, no matter were you sat, you could hear everything perfectly. The screen was 140 by 65, with a 23 foot deep curve, for cinerama. No one misses this Theatre more than me, I was the last projectionist who ever worked there, I still choke up just sitting here right now thinking of this great old beauty.
Norelco
I LOVE YOU WARNER,AND ALWAYS WILL MISS YOU DEEPLY.
e-mail me at
would liketo hear from anyone.
Patsy,you wrote “For a city the size of Pittsburgh that building shouldn’t be sadly vacant, but restored and a theatre once again!” Unfortunately, it went through a transformation, one that wasn’t ‘adaptive reuse,’ but a gutting of the building, except for a portion of the massive lobby. Within the shell of the gutted facade, three to four new floors of shops were constructed, creating an indoor mall. Nothing of the original interior was saved. Needless to say the real shame is that even that makeover is now dormant.
This and similar redos have occurred across the country. A notable and successful venture saved the facade only of the former Edwards Theatre on Third St. in Santa Monica. Around that, was built a new multiplex with condos above, heralding the rejuvination of today’s Third Street Promenade. The question is, will it last as the new theatre wasn’t a ‘megaplex?’ Time will tell.
Personally, I dislike calling what happened to the Warner’s makeover “adaptive reuse.” I’d save that term for the remake of theatres into other performance spaces, whether film or live. Gutting the space to make them into completely unrecognizable retail or living spaces is not adaptive but a stripping to rebuild something wholly new.
Oh, and I just noticed that someone was asking about the Wexford Theatre. I remember seeing “The Muppets Take Manhattan” there, which was in 1984, (I was 7, so my memory isn’t that great). I believe it closed shortly after that. I think it was a 1 screen. It was in Wexford Plaza, roughly around where the Hallmark store is now. My mom remembers that it was called the “Jerry Lewis Cinema” and was owned by the Fabak (sp?) Brothers. hope this helps…
Maybe someone reading this thread on Pgh theatres can help with my question…A co-worker and I are arguing over McKnight Rd theatres. I remember only one theater formerly on McKnight, near the North Hills Village Mall (it is now a Staples) while she swears that there was also a theatre in the shopping plaza where Damon’s and Jo Ann Fabrics currently reside. Does anyone remember a theatre there? thanks!
Rick: Thahks for the wonderful photo as the vertical WARNER sign was beautiful and so was the exterior of the theatre. For a city the size of Pittsburgh that building shouldn’t be sadly vacant, but restored and a theatre once again!
Here is a picture of Warner Center (formerly the Warner Theater). The marquee is similar to what it used to be. The building is now sadly vacant as stated above.
Absolutely, there was a Warner Bros. in downtown Pittsburgh. It was 20 plus years ago gutted and turned into a three level mall, which has been shuttered for over three years now. A total and complete waste and testament that these types of ‘adaptative reuses’ seldom if ever succeed. Rehabilitation and restoration can and do work. The real pity is that the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has come to the rescue of no fewer than three downtown theatres including the Byhum/Fulton Theatre, Heinz Hall/Loews Theatre and the Harris, which was one of the longest running XXX theatres in the country. These together with The Benedum Center/Penn Theatre and the new O'Reilly Theatre make up quite the cultural destination that goes a long way in revitalizing Pittsburgh’s downtown. Unfortunately, the destructive makeover of the incredible Warner is located too far away from the cluster of the other theatres and the damage was long prior to the makeover of the them.
The last movie I saw at the Warner was the road show version of 2001 A.S.O in the summer of 1968. (Dang, that was a long time ago.)
I also miss the Chatham cinema I think the big movie there was Raiders Of The Lost Ark, after that it did not do so well.
another thing I want to put to rest is there was a rumor that the ceiling of the Warner fell on a lady. Yes it did fall on her, a piece of it anyway. BUT this would not have happened if a certain Usher had not been up on the catwalk above the auditorium, stepped off the catwalk and knocked down the plaster. To this day I hate him was tthe beginning of the end for my favorite Theatre of all time. When I die you will find me fondly and lovingly haunting the Warner in Pittsburgh, Pa. My home Town.
Norelco
I remember when we twined the Penn Hills and opened with E T, a fun time was had by all. While we were twinning it the 700 club`s offices were rught across the hall from the booth. One day the preacher came over and wanted to know who was in charge, everyone said I was. So he started in my direction, when I said he is going to tell us to watch our f——-g language. He stopped turned around and never said a word to any of us.
Norelco
I remember the old Mt. Oliver, you had to take a broom with you and beat the rats and bats silly just to get up in the booth, and when you got there, don`t dare let the booth door open. After work you repeated the prosses going down, and left the broom there for the morning shift projectionist to use going up.
Norelco
I used to go o the Mt. Oliver and Whitehall Theaters a lot when I was a kid. Bothe are now closed (Mt. Oliver is a church of some sort now and the Whitehall is now a Giant Eagle grocery store.) :(
Rick: I’m glad to see that you are receiving many posts/memories about theatres in the Pittsburgh area. Good luck with your theatre research. Once you get the ‘theatre bug’ it’s hard to shake!
The Fiesta was on Sixth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. After it closed it was later used by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh as classrooms for the school’s video department. The school moved up to the Boulevard of the Allies between Smithfield and Grant and now the Fiesta is empty again, although it could be used by the Casablanca Restaurant next door for storage.
The Forum on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill later bacame a bagel shop. I haven’t been on that block in a while, so I’m not sure what exactly it is now. It closed around 1978 or 1979.
The others are neighborhood theaters that closed at different times. If you have access to a library that has or can get microfilms of old Pittsburgh Press newspapers via Inter-Library Loan, you may want to check out the Sunday Arts & Leisure sections that were published in July 1983. One of them has an article by then-film critic Ed Blank about the old theaters in the Pittsburgh area and what became of them. Mr. Blank rode through almost every neighborhood, got out and talked to the old-timers he could find about their locations and later history. Addresses are given for most. I have a copy but it’s not with me at present, so I don’t know the exact date, other than a Sunday in July 1983.
The Roxanne had a nightclub downstails the 3d. And was used in the movie about the temptations.
McKees rocks
There was two in McKeesport rocks the parkway in west park and the Roxanne on the main drag
It is located in Stowe Twp. If you or anyone else has an interest in the theater, please let me know. I would also appreciate any ideas you may have on how I can further market this property. It is a wonderful theater and hold many special memories for a lot of people. I would love to see it continue to be an asset to the community. Thanks!
The Parkway Theater has a listing on CT. I wasn’t sure if it was located in Stowe Twp or McKees Rocks.
/theaters/16562/
I recently listed the “Parkway Theatre” located in the heart of West Park, Stowe Twp. PA. It is located just minutes from downtown, Pgh. I did have a potential buyer who wanted to restore the theater for 2nd run movies, performances, conferences, etc. to help strengthen the community but unfornately is relocating to another part of the country. As a real estate agent, I have had the opportunity to speak with many people who grew up in this area then raised their children and grandchildren. Stowe Twp. & the Parkway Theater has a wonderful history that many people still brag about today.
The Parkway Theatre is currently owned by a church. They have replaced the chairs, roof, installed 2 new furnaces/AC systems. Electrical & plumbing has also been updated.
It is still up for sale. We are hoping to find a buyer that can appreciate its history and use it to strengthen the community. If you are interested or know anyone who might be interested, please contact me at (). Thanks!
Ron, thanks pal, I just read your post above and went back in time. I left Pittsburgh, in 84 or 83, can
t really recall, but one of my jobs for local # 171 was running screenings at Cinnemettes office that was in the building beside the Fulton theatre on 6th, Ave. I would be requested by Ed Blank to be his projectionist. He used to say I was the only one who could run perfect movies for him. I think he was lying, but was nice of him. He & I would sit and talk after the movie and trade thoughts on the movie, sometimes for more than an hour. Brought allot of good memories back to me.Thanks Again.
Norelco
Sorry Pal, it is just the Warner is still a touchy subject with me, even after all these years. Cinemette was looking for any excuse to do in the Warner, and that stupid usher who stepped off that plank gave them what they were looking for. The same time there was a shop off to the right of the front entrance on 5th, Ave. that they also owned and wanted out of the Warner building. One night right after the ceiling incident, Jewish lightning hit the shop and burned it out. That was the end.You would think they would know after the failure of the Bank Cinema tower mall, witch they also ran, why would anyone think Pittsburgh needed another tower mall.Money was the real downfall of the Warner. I hope they all rot in hell.
Norelco
Norelco / Dave,
Was not at all bagging on Patsy, and am sorry if that’s what’s thought. My comment was to the point that gutting a theatre the way the Warner was, DESTROYS completely and should never be called adaptive reuse.
Ron, I got the newspaper article. Very helpful! Thank you!
Take it easy on my friend Patsy,she has no idea just what a wonderfull Theatre the Warner was. It was probably the best acoustical, Theatre ever built, no matter were you sat, you could hear everything perfectly. The screen was 140 by 65, with a 23 foot deep curve, for cinerama. No one misses this Theatre more than me, I was the last projectionist who ever worked there, I still choke up just sitting here right now thinking of this great old beauty.
Norelco
I LOVE YOU WARNER,AND ALWAYS WILL MISS YOU DEEPLY.
e-mail me at
would liketo hear from anyone.
Patsy,you wrote “For a city the size of Pittsburgh that building shouldn’t be sadly vacant, but restored and a theatre once again!” Unfortunately, it went through a transformation, one that wasn’t ‘adaptive reuse,’ but a gutting of the building, except for a portion of the massive lobby. Within the shell of the gutted facade, three to four new floors of shops were constructed, creating an indoor mall. Nothing of the original interior was saved. Needless to say the real shame is that even that makeover is now dormant.
This and similar redos have occurred across the country. A notable and successful venture saved the facade only of the former Edwards Theatre on Third St. in Santa Monica. Around that, was built a new multiplex with condos above, heralding the rejuvination of today’s Third Street Promenade. The question is, will it last as the new theatre wasn’t a ‘megaplex?’ Time will tell.
Personally, I dislike calling what happened to the Warner’s makeover “adaptive reuse.” I’d save that term for the remake of theatres into other performance spaces, whether film or live. Gutting the space to make them into completely unrecognizable retail or living spaces is not adaptive but a stripping to rebuild something wholly new.
Oh, and I just noticed that someone was asking about the Wexford Theatre. I remember seeing “The Muppets Take Manhattan” there, which was in 1984, (I was 7, so my memory isn’t that great). I believe it closed shortly after that. I think it was a 1 screen. It was in Wexford Plaza, roughly around where the Hallmark store is now. My mom remembers that it was called the “Jerry Lewis Cinema” and was owned by the Fabak (sp?) Brothers. hope this helps…
Maybe someone reading this thread on Pgh theatres can help with my question…A co-worker and I are arguing over McKnight Rd theatres. I remember only one theater formerly on McKnight, near the North Hills Village Mall (it is now a Staples) while she swears that there was also a theatre in the shopping plaza where Damon’s and Jo Ann Fabrics currently reside. Does anyone remember a theatre there? thanks!
Rick: Thahks for the wonderful photo as the vertical WARNER sign was beautiful and so was the exterior of the theatre. For a city the size of Pittsburgh that building shouldn’t be sadly vacant, but restored and a theatre once again!
Here is a picture of Warner Center (formerly the Warner Theater). The marquee is similar to what it used to be. The building is now sadly vacant as stated above.
View link
The Warner Theater is now Warner Center
Absolutely, there was a Warner Bros. in downtown Pittsburgh. It was 20 plus years ago gutted and turned into a three level mall, which has been shuttered for over three years now. A total and complete waste and testament that these types of ‘adaptative reuses’ seldom if ever succeed. Rehabilitation and restoration can and do work. The real pity is that the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has come to the rescue of no fewer than three downtown theatres including the Byhum/Fulton Theatre, Heinz Hall/Loews Theatre and the Harris, which was one of the longest running XXX theatres in the country. These together with The Benedum Center/Penn Theatre and the new O'Reilly Theatre make up quite the cultural destination that goes a long way in revitalizing Pittsburgh’s downtown. Unfortunately, the destructive makeover of the incredible Warner is located too far away from the cluster of the other theatres and the damage was long prior to the makeover of the them.
The last movie I saw at the Warner was the road show version of 2001 A.S.O in the summer of 1968. (Dang, that was a long time ago.)
Was there a Warner Theatre in Pittsburgh?
I also miss the Chatham cinema I think the big movie there was Raiders Of The Lost Ark, after that it did not do so well.
another thing I want to put to rest is there was a rumor that the ceiling of the Warner fell on a lady. Yes it did fall on her, a piece of it anyway. BUT this would not have happened if a certain Usher had not been up on the catwalk above the auditorium, stepped off the catwalk and knocked down the plaster. To this day I hate him was tthe beginning of the end for my favorite Theatre of all time. When I die you will find me fondly and lovingly haunting the Warner in Pittsburgh, Pa. My home Town.
Norelco
I remember when we twined the Penn Hills and opened with E T, a fun time was had by all. While we were twinning it the 700 club`s offices were rught across the hall from the booth. One day the preacher came over and wanted to know who was in charge, everyone said I was. So he started in my direction, when I said he is going to tell us to watch our f——-g language. He stopped turned around and never said a word to any of us.
Norelco
I remember the old Mt. Oliver, you had to take a broom with you and beat the rats and bats silly just to get up in the booth, and when you got there, don`t dare let the booth door open. After work you repeated the prosses going down, and left the broom there for the morning shift projectionist to use going up.
Norelco
Thanks for the help guys!
I used to go o the Mt. Oliver and Whitehall Theaters a lot when I was a kid. Bothe are now closed (Mt. Oliver is a church of some sort now and the Whitehall is now a Giant Eagle grocery store.) :(
Rick: I’m glad to see that you are receiving many posts/memories about theatres in the Pittsburgh area. Good luck with your theatre research. Once you get the ‘theatre bug’ it’s hard to shake!
The Fiesta was on Sixth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. After it closed it was later used by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh as classrooms for the school’s video department. The school moved up to the Boulevard of the Allies between Smithfield and Grant and now the Fiesta is empty again, although it could be used by the Casablanca Restaurant next door for storage.
The Forum on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill later bacame a bagel shop. I haven’t been on that block in a while, so I’m not sure what exactly it is now. It closed around 1978 or 1979.
The others are neighborhood theaters that closed at different times. If you have access to a library that has or can get microfilms of old Pittsburgh Press newspapers via Inter-Library Loan, you may want to check out the Sunday Arts & Leisure sections that were published in July 1983. One of them has an article by then-film critic Ed Blank about the old theaters in the Pittsburgh area and what became of them. Mr. Blank rode through almost every neighborhood, got out and talked to the old-timers he could find about their locations and later history. Addresses are given for most. I have a copy but it’s not with me at present, so I don’t know the exact date, other than a Sunday in July 1983.