Uptown Theatre

The Uptown opened in 1928 by The Stanley Warner Theatre Co.

The Uptown, when not being used by The RKO Stanley Warner chain in the 1960's, hosted a lot of concerts from the big names of Motown Records. They include Marvin Gaye, The Supremes & The Temptations.

The Uptown theatre is closed. A redelvoplement group was going to rehaab it, but it never happened. They were going to make it a second ave. of the arts. The outside of the theatre is starting to show its age.

The results of a recent flashlight tour (along with a brought-in generator to power a floodlight) are shown in some 30 photos on the web site of an area photographer at: http://www.robbender.com/photos/theaters/uptown/index.html#P4223563.jpg
and show the once ornate theatre's remains. It would cost a fortune to restore it, but it would be worth it for just those wonderful art deco organ grilles, cited in the Theatre Historical Society article: "Ornamentation Old and New: Grillework in Theatres" by this writer. Vintage views are in the 1930 book "American Theatres of Today" by Sexton and Betts, to be seen at some libraries.

What a great looking theatre, it is ashame that it closed. Does anyone know how the neighborhood around the Uptown is, is it questionable, in decline, or whatever?

Another 'Palace of Mold' in the making. Who stole all the mezzanine railings? Hopefully preservation efforts will begin before the theatre deteriorates beyond the financial breaking point of restoring it. Nicely designed theatre that needs a lot of love.

I had a chance to go in the uptown 2 weeks ago during the legends of soul concert that was my first time in the building since 1993 when my church owned the uptown i am just glad to see someone trying fix it up god bless the UEDC

The Uptown was Philly's version of Harlem's Apollo Theater. It had the same format in it's heyday-movies followed by a stage show. It was located in the heart of Philadelphia's black community.
Some of the greatest performers in the history of American popular music played that theater during the prime of their careers.
I saw James Brown there in 1965, when Papa's Got A Brand New Bag was a hit, and it remains one of the most memorable shows I have ever seen.
There were attempts during the 80's to revive it, but it will never be what it was "back in the day".

who do i contact for a tour of the theatre?

I’m Steve Johnson. I use to live at 30th and York in Philly, not to far from the Uptown. I remember the long lines, the groups and entertainers one after the other, all day long, that would cost a fortune, for only fifty cents and all the excitement. I went past the building with my sons, who love the oldies, but since I’m an artist, I sat across the street from the building, with my easel and a tiny black and white photo from 1963, and recreated the scene in a painting. Every one enjoys the picture because it brings back memories. You’d be surprised how every on has their own story of being there. I have prints of the painting. You my purchase one.
My e-mail address, artbysteven@aol.com, Web, www.geocities.com/artbysteven/steve
Phone 267-471-8209

The Uptown is on its way back. Without a doubt this theater's striking facade and wonderfully intricate interior make it stand out as one of the most innovativley designed theater structures of its period. One of its most interesting features is that it was originally built with 4 floors of commercial office space above the theater portion of the structure. As for the neighborhood, North Philadelphia is experiencing a renaissance spearheaded in part by Temple and the city's determination to rehabilitate the northern portion of Broad Street. The UEDC will have a photo of the theater placed on this site in the near future.

Historically the theater captures the evolution of North Philadelphia from a predominently Jewish neighborhood to an African American neighborhood. Both groups can regale one with stories about this magnificent building. Truly a national treasure. ethnicities es codh hiaqpt
My email address, kvalentine@haywoodllc.com

DO YOU REMEMBER? Saturday May 6,1961 Live on stage Georgie Woods of WDAS The "TOP OF THE STARS 1961 STAGE SHOW" Featuring The Flamingos,Jerry Butler,The Vibration and many more. Georgie Woods held many of his shows at this great theatre. rg

A Kimball organ Size 3/19 was installed in the Uptown Theater in 1928.

This website has an article about preserving the Uptown Theater.

A drawing or painting of the Uptown (mostly the marquee is visible) appears on the cover of Bill Cosby's album When I Was A Kid.

Does anyone know where to find concert footage or any film reels from the Uptown Theater's glory days. I'd love to see what the place looked like before it started to deteriorate.

There will be a benefit concert for the Uptown theater this Sunday May 7th. It will take place at the International House at 3701 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.

Headlining the concert will be Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Concert scheduled to run from 5pm-7pm.

For more information here is the link to the original story I got the information from
http://www.nbc10.com/news/9163925/detail.html

This website has a 2004 photo of the Uptown Theater.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982

Uptown Theater and Office Building (added 1982 - Building - #82003817)
Also known as Uptown Theater
2240-2248 N. Broad St., Philadelphia
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Magaziner,Eberhard & Harris
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Business, Theater
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use

The Uptown closed for a while in 1988, after a showing of "Police Academy V". The theater probably closed itself out of embarassment:
http://tinyurl.com/2kdg6n

how can i fond out who currently owns this building?
is anyone making renovations on it now?

This theatre is just sitting. I understand a lot items from the theatre have been stolen.

Mayor Street recently presented a million dollars to the nonprofit engaged with saving & reopening the Uptown

How much of the million dollars is left as of today?

Here is an undated interior photo:
http://tinyurl.com/26csar

This picture appears to be circa 1970s:
http://tinyurl.com/34ofh4

I go to Temple and drive past the Uptown every day on my way to school. It really is a gorgeous building and I'm sad to see it in such disrepair. I'm only 25 years old and I've never seen movie theatres or concert halls like the Uptown or the Boyd in use during my lifetime. It's a shame because buildings like these really are works of art, and as a movie history buff, I wish they could make a comeback.

I did want to comment that some of the photos other people have posted several years ago look very little like the Uptown today. Last year (or maybe it was the year before), there was a lot of work being done on the theatre - the facade was restored a bit and the marquee was fixed up. They put new lights in the "Uptown" sign (although many of them have burned out again since I don't think they ever turned the lights off!) There is still wooden boards covering the entrance with murals of the Jackson 5 and other things I don't remember off hand. In late 2007, there was a nice mural done on the side of the building (you can see it if you're coming North up Broad Street) with Richard Pryor, and other Motown acts that I assume performed at the theatre at one time.

The only sad thing now is that the theatre is still not being used as far as I can tell and I haven't seen any work done on actual restoration since early 2007 (not including the mural!)

Photo set of wonderful exterior photos taken yesterday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucindalunacy/sets/72157606947157502/

1983 photo of the Uptown Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c38%2c3%2c2268&catpageindex=11&ProductID=33183

This is the 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/l6dsty

Here is an interior photo, circa 1930s:
http://tinyurl.com/llc9ap