Parkway Theatre

Activity is beginning to start on Baltimore's exqusite 1915 Parkway Theatre. Please visit http://www.parkwaytheatre.com to learn the latest and help us find the resources that will be needed to accomplish this restoration. Thanks!

(BTW, the Parkway's architect was Oliver B. Wight [correct spelling])

Some History on The Parkway:
North Avenue has undergone unbelievable change since it first rose out of the pastures of Baltimore County in the 1870's. Known originally as Boundry Avenue, it was just that, the city's boundry, until 1888.
The first efforts to civilize the broad avenue came in the form of exclusive residences. However, "Taney Place", as the two blocks on either side of Charles were to be known, never took off succerssfully. (A few of the grand homes may still be seen, on the even side of the West 100 block.)
North Avenue, so named when the street ceased to be a boundry, was destined to be one of the city's most elegant small business districts. Two small hotels, the Walford and the Chateau, opened at the corner of North and Charles. Stylish cages and very proper dance halls opened nearby as well. This corner would also be the home of Baltimore's first traffic light.
North Avenue had a few theatres before the Parkway opened. One, the Aurora, is still standing at 7 East North. It opened in 1908 and originally housed a bowling alley as well, and it still in reasonable condition. The other, alternately named the Pebody and the Theatorium, was not so lucky. Unable to compete with the more elegant Aurora and Parkway, it closed in 1924. It became the Oriole Cafeteria for several years, before being revived as Center Stage, the State Theatre of Maryland. Unfortunately, this distinction would be denied the old theatre as well. It burned in the early 1970's and is stil a ruined shell.
Finally, the Whitehurst organization realized the potential for a truly refined theatre on North Avenue and thus the Parkway came to be. Opening in late 1915, it was theepitone of elegant good taste. The exterior is constructed of Maryland granite and buff brick; with some stylistic elements borrowed from the Hippodrome dodwntown (notably the tripartie windows and projecting cornice.) The interior was originally decorated in the Adam style, in rose, ivory and gold. Two "royal boxes" graced the balcony. The original seating capacity was only 1100, in keeping with the Parkway's concept of exclusive and intimate elegance. Opening night patrons were entertaianed by the Parkway Orchestra and the Parkway Grand Organ (a 3 manual Moller) accompanying Pauline Frederick in one of her triumphal roles, "Zara." Before and after the show they could indulge in a variety of treatts in the theatre's own Tea Room, located on the mezzanine.
The Parkway continued as a deluxe house, despite its uptown location, through the mid-1920's. In 1926 it was purchased by the Loew's organization. It got a thorough redecoration at this time. overseen by John Eberson. The graceful royal boxes were removed at this time, and lots of extra gold-leaf applied. The Parkway was still lovely, but not quite so restrained as it had once been. Q new Wirlitzer organ was installed as well. Loew's continued the policy of first-run, high class features.
Throughout the 30's and 40's the Parkway remained a favorite of Baltimore audiences, includidng the wealthy North Baltimoreans whose patronage it had been built to snare. During this time it also hosted a popular midnight radio show, "Nocturne,"
which featured a live organ broadcast and poetry.
The 1950's saw the first changes in the aura of North Avenue. Now a major thoroughfare with heavy traffic, it was no longer quite so elegant. The Parkway started to suffer in the box office. It closed in 1955, but only temporarily. In 1956 it got a new facelift and became the "Five West Theatre" (for its streete address). The Five West featured "airplace" seats, black lights and a coffee bar rather than the Parkway's antediluvian Tea Room. The whole place was intended to project a very Audrey Hepburn esque, continental flavor. The bill was mostly filled with foreign or "art" film.
The Five West was as succesful as the Parkway had always been. it survived intil 1985, when even the elegant old theatre could not combat the horrible decline of North Avenue. The theatre is now shuttered, though it may soon reopen to showcase black film.

The Parkway website (http://www.parkwaytheatre.com) has added a new message exchange forum for the interchange of information and ideas about the revitalization effort. Everyone is welcome to stop by and find out the latest.

This is an interesting story. I was in Baltimore a few months ago. I was led to believe that the current owner was given two years by the City of Baltimore to fix it up. When I visited it did not appear than any work was undereway. Why do cities do that? There is a few groups that REALLY want to fix it up and add an organ, etc. Why can't they all "play nice?"

Here are two old photos of the Parkway. Notice on the marquee that it says Loews Parkway:
http://www.kilduffs.com/PC16.jpg

http://www.kilduffs.com/PC3.jpg

Great photos. Any news on the progress of the Parkway?

The architect, Oliver B. Wight, used his full name: Oliver Birkhead Wight. He was my great-uncle.

The Parkway was not built by the Whitehurst organization. It was built by Henry Webb's Northern Amusement Co. Also, the Aurora did not open in 1908; it opened in 1910.

This is a 1916 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/rb9cc

Any progress on restoration or opening?

A great amount of money and effort has been lost by individuals who are attempting to restore and reopen the Parkway only to be stymied by the local government who would rather raze the theatre and use the land for other purposes. The current owner could really use some concerted help from the citizens of Baltimore in overcoming the bureaucratic roadblocks the city is putting up to prevent saving this magnificent piece of architecture.

Jack, is there some current news regarding the City's intentions? The last I heard there was a study effort underway to produce a development plan for the area which includes the Parkway, but I have heard nothing suggesting anyone is considering demolition as opposed to restoration. Do you know something different?

Only what the current proprietor told me this past Saturday.

Well, unless we can learn at least some detail of an emminent situation, there's not much I, nor anyone can do. Are you at liberty to reveal any of those details or intercede with the owner/propietor to do so?

Two more older photos are here.

This is a recent photo of the Parkway.

a big theatre. i saw Women in Love and A Touch of Class there on a double bill.

Thw header should also have Loew's Parkway listed on it. Is there any update on the restoration of the Parkway?

1985 photo of the Parkway Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c20%2c3%2c216&catpageindex=9&ProductID=28048

It reminds me of the Raymond in Pasadena.

The city of Baltimore is once again hoping to renovate the Parkway Theatre as a performance venue to help revitalize the downtown section north of Pennsylvania Station. In combination with two other buildings in the immediate area the total cost of the project is estimated at $1 billion dollars.

The city is discouraging proposals that rely on public funding.

The below article about the project appeared in The Baltimore sun Website on May 7 2009

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.parkway07.1may07,0,7521739.story

Lest anyone get the unrealistic impression from Mr. Gray's above comment, the referenced Sun story indicates the "$1 billion" estimate is for the entire "Charles North Vision Plan" project, not just for the Parkway and its two adjacent buildings, not that I would have a problem with that kind of expenditure for them.

http://www.parkwaytheatre.com

Wixie Children's Musical Theatre staged live performances at the 5 West on weekday mornings in the 1960s (I saw their "Wizard of Oz" as a kid); the company later moved to the Painters Mill Music Fair in Owings Mills.

As reported in Boxoffice of October 20, 1956, when the Parkway Theatre was renovated and reopened as the 5 West Theatre the original seating capacity of 1,100 was reduced to a mere 440. The interior was gutted and rebuilt. A new concrete floor was poured for the orchestra section, and the balcony was re-stepped. The new seating rows were 48 inches back to back on the main floor and 64 inches back to back in the balcony. Additionally, the former standee area was enlarged and walled off from the auditorium to provide space for a new lounge.

The first film shown at the 5 West was the Alec Guinness comedy "The Lady Killers." The theater was operated by the 5 West Amusement Company, Milton Schwaber, President. Three photos of the renovated theater appeared in Boxoffice Magazine, October 20, 1956.

The 5 West apparently began having difficulty operating as an art house as early as 1974, when the September issue of Boxoffice said that Schwaber Theatres had closed the house until further notice. I don't know how long this closure lasted, but I haven't found the house mentioned in Boxoffice again until July 26, 1976, when there was an item saying that Schwaber World Fare Cinemas had reopened the 5 West "...as a showcase for black exploitation films."

As long ago as 1983, public involvement to revive the Parkway Theatre was being proposed. That year the December issue of Boxoffice reported that Baltimore city officials had applied for a $265,000 Federal grant which "...would be combined with $800,000 in private funds to build an entertainment center inside the Parkway Theatre...." Obviously nothing came of this proposal.