Oaks Theater
1875 Solano Avenue,
Berkeley,
CA
94707
1875 Solano Avenue,
Berkeley,
CA
94707
7 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Blumenfeld Theater Circuit, Metropolitan Theatres, Renaissance Rialto
Architects: William Bernard David, James Reid, Merritt Reid
Firms: Reid Brothers
Functions: Rock Climbing
Styles: Streamline Moderne
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News About This Theater
- Jan 10, 2011 — Oaks Theater closes
- Feb 11, 2010 — Lease expiring on Berkeley's Oaks Theater; new operator sought
Opened September 15, 1925 with Ford Sterling in “Steppin' Out”. The Oaks Theater was remodeled in a Streamline Moderne style by architect William B. David and reopened September 6, 1940. It was was restored by the Renaissance Rialto chain in 1994.
From February 2005, it was taken over by Metropolitan Theatres. It was taken over by an independent operator in early-2010 and screened first run and Bollywood films.
Sadly, it was closed in late-December 2010. It became The Oaks rock climbing center.
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frenchjr25@hotmail.com
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Recent comments (view all 26 comments)
Saw a few movies at the Oaks in my time, but the only ones I remember was a double-feature of Don Taylor’s “Tom Sawyer” the musicalized version from 1973 I believe, and right after it, John Sturges’s “Joe Kidd” with Clint Eastwood. These would have been second or even third runs of these films. I saw this double-feature in July or August of 1973. Joe Kidd was released in July of 1972; Tom Sawyer’s release date was March 1973. I’ve always liked that the Oaks was perched prominently at the top of Solano Avenue in Albany (Berkeley), and looked forward to seeing what was on the marquee as you drove west out of the Northbrae Tunnel. That it’s closed now (and McCallum’s ice cream!) significantly diminishes the allure of the Solano Ave commercial district. Should Pegasus Books fold that will be the end of my visits to that neighborhood.
At 8 years old I saw my first 3D movie here “IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE” I was so impressed that any time I had a chance to see 3-D I would go out of my way to do so. In 2004 I visited the theatre again. and was pleased to find it was still there and open for business. They were running Oceans Eleven. Great memories. They are closed now but It is still standing. Here’s hoping someone will bring it back to life.
A local article says the Oaks has been put up for sale, after 6 years of unsuccessfully trying to lease it. It's hoped that nonprofits that may have been put off by the thought of raising funds to refurbish a leased space will find it more attractive if they can own the building. Asking price is $4.25 million, the property includes 5 retail spaces and 5 offices. A vintage photograph accompanies the article, it appears to be from the late 1930s.
Once someone removes the wall down the middle and brings in a better large screen and sound system this will be a great place to see a movie or live music event in the future. Tired in need of remodel work all the Landmark cinemas in Berkeley/Albany they lease will have some competition If the Oaks re opens again and fixed up. I have some friends with $$ that may be interested and may take a look this week.
Yes, it’s a classic theater that deserves to be restored and showing repertory fare, like the Castro or the Stanford. Trouble will always be parking on Solano Avenue.
Touchstone Climbing, the company behind Ironworks and other gyms around California, plans to purchase the Oaks Theatre in Berkeley and turn it into a climbing facility.
SFGate-Oaks
The Berkeley Gazette ran an article about the opening of the Oaks that evening, on September 15, 1925. The two pictures that accompanied it are now in the photo section
It is very sad that The Oaks closed, however, I do have exciting information to report here, which is that they have completely preserved the foyer of the building, and the entire facade and marquee, and the proscenium arch! It is currently in use as a climbing gym, in one of the most interesting cases of reuse I have seen. I took photos today which I will upload shortly. This is the best case scenario for a cinema that was gutted, and it is very clear that whomever did the work really cared about preserving as much of the original architecture as possible.
Website for the Oaks Climbing Center.
On August 19, 1938, the Oaks Theatre became statewide headlines when a vehicle crashed into the doors and lobby of the theater, but the vehicle was unoccupied. According to investigators, it all started when two Fontana women escaped serious injuries when their car was struck broadside by a Southern Pacific interurban. The brakes slipped, the unoccupied car jumped the curb, lopped off a parking sign, and crashed into the front of the theater, destroying its box office and damaging the doors.