Huntridge Performing Arts Theatre

Well as of lately the huntridge has been sold to the furnature store right next to it, and I'd just like to say that it's horrible, the huntridge was meant to be a theatre/venue, not a storage room or a furnature showroom and I'd really hate to see it go. -Heather

MY NAME IS DENNIS LIVINGSTON II. MY GRANDFATHER STANLEY LIVINGSTON OWNED THE HUNTRIDGE FOR A SORT TIME WITH SOME OTHER PARTNERS. HE REFURBISHED THE INSIDE AND OPENED IN THE EARLY 90's AS A SPANISH MOVIE HOUSE. IT WAS OPENED FOR A SHORT TIME BUT THAN LATER CLOSED DUE TO LACK OF PROFIT. ALSO KEEP IN MIND AT THAT TIME THE LATINO POPULATION WAS NOT AS LARGE AS IT IS TODAY. IF YOU KNEW MY GRANDFATHER AND SHARE ANY MEMORIES WITH HIM I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. HE DIED IN 1994. HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND CAME FROM A LONG HISTORY OF MANAGING AND OWNING MOTION PICTURE THEATRES IN LOS ANGELES.

email: lvcitylife@cox.net

The state of Nevada is not interested in funding and restoring this beautiful property. It is one of the oldest landmarks in Nevada.
Shame on Cima's Furniture! Could'nt they have found a more industrial place for a wharehouse

I went to many movies at this theater too. It showed a lot of comedies for the youngsters. There were those movie cards at the front entrance. The building is still standing today but I don't know what it's used for. I think they use to have rock concerts there.

Lovers of The Huntridge,
Our great theatre has seen some hard times. From being converted into a furniture warehouse in 2001, to having the roof just collapse in 1995, and closed permenantly except for a few sparatic concerts here and there, in 2002. But now, There has been talk about completely destroying this theatre, and for one, I won't let it go without my voice being heard. Las Vegas locals, come to The Huntridge Sunday, October 9 at 12:00 pm to show your support for this National and Local Historical Monument.

The Film Daily Yearbook; 1950 edition, gives a seating capacity of 983.

The Huntridge first went dark in 1977. On July 30, 2004, following a heavy metal concert by Dimmu Borgir, Bleeding Through and G-d Forbid, current owner Eli Mizrachi shuttered the theater in preparation for a $1.7 million renovation that would have added a balony, new stage, new dressing rooms, restaurants, three bars, VIP rooms, gaming, and retail space, scheduled to be completed in early 2006. Rising costs - the most recent estimate for the renovations is $4 million - resulted in numerous delays to the start of work, and as of January, 2006, Mizrachi has postponed the renovations and the Huntridge's reopening indefinitely. The box office still sports advertisements for a July 9, 2004 concert by the Beastie Boys.

History and some photos of the Huntridge Theater can be found here.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993

Huntridge Theater (added 1993 - Building - #93000686)
Also known as Huntridge Performing Arts Theater
1208 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Pioneer Contruction Co., Lee, S. Charles
Architectural Style: International Style, Moderne
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

Here is a photo of the Huntridge Theater.

This was the only Theater in town to go see a movie at in 1962-1965. It was "BIG" and roomy. I lived near North Eastern Ave and Bonanza Road and would walk to the Huntridge for a Saturday show. On the way I would stop by the slot car track, about a block east of the Huntridge, and watch the cars race around the track. I can still remember walking down the aisle, to my seat with popcorn in hand. My last movie there was, "Viva Las Vegas". After the show we would go over to the A & W Rootbeer stand across the street for a rootbeer float. It couldn't get any better.

For those interested in saving Mid Century Modern architectural treasures in Las Vegas, including the Huntridge Theater, please join our preservation group - the Atomic Age Alliance. http://www.atomicage.org

We aslo have a pretty active online message board dedicated to Modern preservation alerts.
http://www.lottaliving.com/bb

I think the first re-opening for the Huntridge was when it was split into 2 smaller theaters showing classic movies. My dad and I went there to see an old Zorro movie, and I'm pretty sure I saw a (not first-run) showing of The Empire Strikes Back. I'd guess this was somewhere between '83-'85.

Perspective sketch by its architect S. Charles Le:
http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt9q2nc8m4/?brand=calisphere

The Huntridge Theatre and its architecture from the Huntridge Performing Art Theatre website:
http://www.fivefoottwelve.com/HPATFiles/HARCH.html

recent photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattviews/2284783582/

Terrible news that the owner wants to raze the theater, What about this covenant that forestalls this until 2017?

This is a March 5, 2008 story about the Huntridge Theater.

Here is another preservation site with photos:
http://mfhuntridge.com/photo3.html

Here is another photo of the Huntridge.

The theater is still standing, but doesn't look good. Photos to follow.

How much could it have changed since May?

Here are some photos:
http://tinyurl.com/5kzm5w
http://tinyurl.com/5vxgrn
http://tinyurl.com/5p63s3
http://tinyurl.com/5zwdld
http://tinyurl.com/62qnev
http://tinyurl.com/66l7eg

Looks the same to me.

Owner Eli Mizrachi now plans to convert the structure into retail and office space. More details and renderings of the plan, announced on August 13, are available at LeavingLV.net.

Hello,

My name is Chris Davis and I am running for district court judge in Nevada. I have made a short video for my campaign which features the Huntridge Theatre. I have a soft spot for the Huntridge because that's where I saw Disney films when I was a child and concerts as an adult. I had to digitally reconstruct the Huntridge as I would like to see it. The videos purpose is to teach in JibJab style what we can do to prevent Nevada Courts from further becoming a national soap opera plagued by scandal after scandal. By injecting a little humor, I hope you will help me spread my message of change and hope.

Please join the fight against corruption at www.ChrisDavisForJudge.com and become one of the 6400 that I am recruiting to restore integrity to our courts! Attached is a screen shot of what you'll find.

Chris Davis
Candidate for District Court Judge

P.S.

Please help get out the word by forwarding this email to your friends, family, and everyone else you know. You can also help by going to YouTube and rating my video.

You're assuming we all live in Nevada and can vote in your election.

This is not the place to campaign. Politics are considered to be off topic.

If it is off topic, I am sorry. Even if you can't vote in Nevada, I thought you like to see how I envision the Huntridge. I could have used any generic theatre in my video, but I chose the Huntridge because it is special. If after viewing the video you still believe my comments are off topic, I would request that the moderator remove them.

I saw an exterior view of the Huntridge at the very beginning of your video. The video is basically a campaign ad and not about the Huntridge theater itself. If one political ad can be shown here than this site would be obligated to run ads for all politicians. That is not the purpose of this website. I can't vote in Nevada either, but I wish you luck with your campaign.

This is the registration form for the National Register of Historic Places.

The small concrete block wall to the right of the entrance has been demolished, and there is a Bobcat parked between the fence and the front doors.

You can listen to a March 10, 2008 interview with preservationist Josh Geidel, owner Eli Mizrachi, and State Historic Preservation Officer Ron James at KNPR.org.

Here is a 1970 ad.

I added a recent photo. Obviously the building has shown no improvement.

This is a 2009 photo.