It is really remarkable to find a theatre which has been in continuous operation for 85 years and in such remarkable shape! Even though the auditorium has been reconfigured into a twin it is salvageable in that the original proscenium and backstage area remain intact although entomb behind a massive wall of sheetrock.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/]Maincourse: Theatres[/url]
Some work is underway to revert the auditorium to its original design and purpose by creating a new hybrid called the cinema church. The pulpit is gone, the stage restored and a giant new screen added. It could be quite a showpiece but I don’t hold any faith that there will be any screenings of the works of John Waters at this site for the immediate future.
The shell of the Lester still stand howbeit the interior has been gutted and transformed into office space. The full address should read 301 East Main Street, Cherryville, NC. Here is a 2010 shot of what remains of the theatre: Lester Theatre
Fantastic piece of period architecture. The exterior has been relatively well preserved with some remnants of auditorium (e.g. wall details) still in place. Photos from March 2011: Photo 1, Photo 2
Here is a photo from 2005 of what remains of the theatre. The interior has been completely overhauled and am uncertain as to what modifications were made to the exterior.
Exterior photo from 2010. The interior has been completely gutted and all external indicators (e.g. marquee, poster frames, etc.) long removed leaving nothing but the shell of what must has been a rather spectacular streamline cinema.
thanks for the info! hard to believe that it has been over 38 years since my shadow cast upon the tampa soil. bummer that both of these venues were spliced up before just weeks my madien visit to the area.
New Springfield Mall Cinema coming in 2011; Article from the February 22, 2011edition of the Fairfax Times
“Springfield Mall owner Vornado Realty Trust also is ready to take advantage of the expected traffic and population boom, and is taking the next step toward achieving its vision for an urban-style town center development around nearby Springfield Mall.
Vornado representatives declined to comment on the company’s exact plans. But, according to Fairfax County Supervisor Jeffrey McKay (D-Lee), a 10-year redevelopment of the mall — split into four phases — is currently under way.
“It is a mall revitalization project that will develop into Springfield Town Center, with high density office and residential space,” he said.
Phase one, which McKay said could begin as early as next month, is an interior renovation of the mall, including an improved food court and construction of a new movie theater.â€
Photo of the façade from January 2011. The place looks great from the outside (was unable to see the interior on this trip). How drastic was the interior changed during its conversion to office space back in 2008?
I think that this is the theatre where I saw Saturday Night Fever. Looking For Mr. Goodbar was showing in the other auditorium. Both of the auditoriums were extremely large and long. The twining was definitely done on the fly with as little of an expense as possible but there were still some vestiges of its former glory. Would love to see a photo or two of the Austin/Loews. Was there another GCC theatre on Dale Mabry that had a similar twin job?
Very nicely designed theatre. The theatre was closed on the day I was in town so the only part of the interior I could see was what was visible from the front door. The lobby is small with what appears to be the original concession stand still in place. Exterior photos from February 2011: photo one, photo two
Does anyone know how this theatre was reconfigured from a single screen into six screen? Did it have a balcony?
The theare street address should also be changed to 100 East Main Street. The web address is Strand Theatre
It is really remarkable to find a theatre which has been in continuous operation for 85 years and in such remarkable shape! Even though the auditorium has been reconfigured into a twin it is salvageable in that the original proscenium and backstage area remain intact although entomb behind a massive wall of sheetrock. [url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/maincourse/]Maincourse: Theatres[/url]
How are the three auditoriums configured? The one closest to the entrance appears to be fan shaped.
Some work is underway to revert the auditorium to its original design and purpose by creating a new hybrid called the cinema church. The pulpit is gone, the stage restored and a giant new screen added. It could be quite a showpiece but I don’t hold any faith that there will be any screenings of the works of John Waters at this site for the immediate future.
Photo from 2010 of the Maple Arts Theatre. The complex was in quite good condition on my visit and still retained much of its original 70’s décor.
2011 Photo of the Mount Airy Theatre
Photos from April 2011 of the theatre: 1, 2
Was this theatre ever equipped with an organ? Photos from 2011:
Facade, Rear of auditorium, Stage
The total seating capacity was 600 (200 for each auditorium).
2011 photo of the Crighton Theatre.
The shell of the Lester still stand howbeit the interior has been gutted and transformed into office space. The full address should read 301 East Main Street, Cherryville, NC. Here is a 2010 shot of what remains of the theatre: Lester Theatre
Fantastic piece of period architecture. The exterior has been relatively well preserved with some remnants of auditorium (e.g. wall details) still in place. Photos from March 2011: Photo 1, Photo 2
The Tropic is a great little cinema and quite a bargain to boot. Photos from 2011: Facade, Marquee
The theatre opened as a single screen operation in 1963 then added a second auditoria ten years later.
Here is a photo from 2005 of what remains of the theatre. The interior has been completely overhauled and am uncertain as to what modifications were made to the exterior.
Exterior photo from 2010. The interior has been completely gutted and all external indicators (e.g. marquee, poster frames, etc.) long removed leaving nothing but the shell of what must has been a rather spectacular streamline cinema.
thanks for the info! hard to believe that it has been over 38 years since my shadow cast upon the tampa soil. bummer that both of these venues were spliced up before just weeks my madien visit to the area.
New Springfield Mall Cinema coming in 2011; Article from the February 22, 2011edition of the Fairfax Times
“Springfield Mall owner Vornado Realty Trust also is ready to take advantage of the expected traffic and population boom, and is taking the next step toward achieving its vision for an urban-style town center development around nearby Springfield Mall.
Vornado representatives declined to comment on the company’s exact plans. But, according to Fairfax County Supervisor Jeffrey McKay (D-Lee), a 10-year redevelopment of the mall — split into four phases — is currently under way.
“It is a mall revitalization project that will develop into Springfield Town Center, with high density office and residential space,” he said.
Phase one, which McKay said could begin as early as next month, is an interior renovation of the mall, including an improved food court and construction of a new movie theater.â€
Photo of the façade from January 2011. The place looks great from the outside (was unable to see the interior on this trip). How drastic was the interior changed during its conversion to office space back in 2008?
Photo from 2005: Exterior
Photo from 2005: Exterior
I think that this is the theatre where I saw Saturday Night Fever. Looking For Mr. Goodbar was showing in the other auditorium. Both of the auditoriums were extremely large and long. The twining was definitely done on the fly with as little of an expense as possible but there were still some vestiges of its former glory. Would love to see a photo or two of the Austin/Loews. Was there another GCC theatre on Dale Mabry that had a similar twin job?
Very nicely designed theatre. The theatre was closed on the day I was in town so the only part of the interior I could see was what was visible from the front door. The lobby is small with what appears to be the original concession stand still in place. Exterior photos from February 2011:
photo one, photo two
Here are photos from February 2011: Facade,
Lobby