Majestic Theater
275 Grove Street,
Jersey City,
NJ
07302
275 Grove Street,
Jersey City,
NJ
07302
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The Majestic Theater was built in 1907 by the Klein Amusement Company. The architect was William H. McElfatrick. The first feature film shown at the theater was D.W. Griffith’s film “The Birth of a Nation” in 1915. The Majestic Theater closed as a theater in the 1950’s.
Over the years, the building was used as a factory, a warehouse and a church. The building was going to be renovated but in 1995 the roof collapsed and the building was demolished. Before it was demolished, the front lobby was saved and it serves as the entrance to an apartment complex.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Actually, the entrance was saved but it does not serve the Majestic Condos which are behind it. It was converted into a wine bar and liqour store called Bar Majestic and Majestic Liquors and Foods. Some of the original details were kept, such as the moldings along one wall and the floors. In fact, one entire wall was left untouched revealing the years of color schemes including a gold trim. There were also a few pieces that were added that could pass for originals. The bathroom has wooden wainscotting and beautiful green tiles. The back counter has an inverted balcony railing attached to it and the lights are actually theatrical lights. The style is more art nouveau but works well with the restored exterior. This is a place worth seeing. The prices are right and the atmosphere is priceless.
Newspaper article including photo & history:
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Demolition photos:
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Homepage for the bar located at this site:
http://www.barmajestic.com/
I think that the wall referenced by JerseyGirl is behind the bar.
Old 1911 postcard:
Front:
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Back:
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The Majestic auditorium was being restored sometime in the 1980s because I remember going into the side entrance of the building where architects were examining the interior, there was scaffolding around, and light towers about. What happened? I guess someone ran out of money.
I walked up to the second balcony.
I INSTALLED AND MAITAINED THE BIG POPCORN MACHINES.THE BAGS WOULD SENT TO ALL OF THE SKOURIS BROS. THEATRES,IT WAS ALSO USED AS A CANDY AND NOVETY STORAGE. THE FRONT WAS NOT USED BUT EVERY THING WAS READY FOR THE NEXT SHOW BY FRED FLAGG THE SHOW NEVER CAME.FRED WOULD WALK ME THROUGH ALL THE ALL THE SECERT PLACES OF TRAP DOORS,ROPES AND OLD PROPS.
In 1990, the Majestic Theatre was supposed to be restored to its original grandeur and serve as a performing arts center, with seven floors of luxury condo apartments to be built above it. I guess that turned out to be just another pipedream.
1911 postcard:
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The street view is off. For some reason, it is placed around the corner from the old theater on Mongtomery Street. If one “journeys” down Montgomery to the left and then turns right just off the intersection with Grove St, a nice street view of the former Majestic Theatre’s entrance can be seen. There is an old fashioned, grey canopy for the Bar Majestic, which handsomely adorns the well maintained facade.