Alexandria Theatre
5400 Geary Boulevard,
San Francisco,
CA
94121
5400 Geary Boulevard,
San Francisco,
CA
94121
14 people
favorited this theater
The Alexandria Theatre opened on November 26, 1923 with Douglas MacLean in “Going Up.” It was built at a cost of $350,000 by Oppenheimer & (Alex) Levin; Reid Brothers were the architects. From the beginning, it was one of the Richmond district’s leading second-run theaters.
In 1941, it underwent extensive remodeling, emerging totally Moderne, with only the original stone pillars on its corner facade still exhibiting evidence of its original Egyptian roots.
It re-opened on June 19, 1942, but due to wartime blackout restrictions, much of its new neon elegance had to be subdued until sometime later. In the late-1950’s it was upgraded to a first run 70MM, reserved seat policy premiering such roadshow attractions as “South Pacific” (48 weeks), “Exodus” (20 weeks), “Can Can” (19 weeks), El Cid (21 weeks), “The Longest Day” (19 weeks), “Cleopatra” (56 weeks) & “Oliver!” (43 weeks).
On November 24, 1976, it re-opened as Alexandria 3, with the former balcony and loge sections converted into two separate, smaller auditoriums, but with the original downstairs section more or less intact.
Beneath the remodelling, rumor has it that the original dome and atmospheric ceiling still exists, retaining it’s twinkling lights, or at least the sockets, and that behind the bland walls of the lobby one can still see lotus-topped columns and colorful hieroglyphics.
The theater closed in the beginning of 2004 and its future is uncertain.
Contributed by
tillmany, Juan-Miguel Gallegos
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Recent comments (view all 107 comments)
Unfortunately, some not-so-good news: View link
With all the talk of the proposed renovation of the Alexandria preserving interior elements from its 1940s remodel (what is seen today), I want to call attention to the fact that some elements of the original Egyptian decor also survive, hidden from view. Chief among these is a partial row of papyrus columns behind the lobby wall which houses the drinking fountain. Two different sources in UA told me at different times of relamping the light over the drinking fountain, sticking their heads through the resulting opening, and seeing a wall scribed and painted to look like blocks of stone, with a row of columns. Such a feature should be somehow preserved. If it can’t be part of the actual decor—then elements of it could be put on display. Also, the auditorium ceiling, with its (formerly covelit) dome, is original, though repainted. In 1995, I was in the attic over the auditorium, walking on the redwood plank catwalks, and it was obvious where the organ chambers had been hacked out, both the plaster and the concrete walls, and the resulting gaps filled-in with the present walls curving in arcs toward the proscenium. Also, in a little room next to projection booth, a section of original Egyptian cavetto cornice molding remains intact, though repainted in a neutral color.
Having just reread the description at the top of this page, I have to debunk the contention that there is an atmospheric ceiling hidden above the current one. There is not. The original dome was cove lit around the edges, the bulbs and access hatches are still there. There is no evidence of any lightbulb stars ever having been part of the decor. All that exists above the plaster ceiling are plank catwalks, steel joists, struts and rafters, and the underside of the roof. A catwalk climbs to the center of the dome, where the crank for lowering the big central chandelier is still in place.
Another article published today:
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The Alexandria project is at last appearing to be moving forward. Input from the community is being encouraged. Plans have been made which will respect/restore the exterior of the building, and preserve most of the interior elements from the 1940s remodeling, and discussion is underway on the idea of preserving the Egyptian decorative elements of the interior in ways that the public may enjoy them as well. The Alexandria will house a theatre equipped for small stage events as well as film, and there will be retail space, and a sort of restaurant/lounge area also. Imperative in the project are innovative structural features which will maintain much of the feeling of the original height of the auditorium wherever possible, while providing retail spaces on the ground level beneath the theatre and restaurant area. The murals of sea nymphs will remain. On the location of the theatre’s parking lot, a new building will house two levels of underground parking, and have much-needed residences above. The familiar neon “PARKING” sign on the side of the theatre will still point the way. The new building will be modern in design, but will feature bay window-like extensions to go with the characcter of the neighborhood, plus cornice work and overall massing which—while not at all copying the adjacent Egyptian Revival look of the theatre, will compliment its proportions.
2010 photo of the Alexandria Theatre.
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According to a notice from the San Francisco Planning Department, dated Nov. 24, 2010, the Preliminary Mitigated Declaration for the 5400 Geary Boulevard project (Alexandria Theatre) has been extended until January 24, 2011. This is for the purpose of extending the comment period so that an informational hearing about the project before the Historic Preservation Commission can be held.
The meeting is January 19, 2011, at 12:30pm.
Contact Chelsea Fordham at (415) 575-9071 or
for more information.
Assuming I am able to attend the meeting, I am hoping to be able to bring up the issue of the trees that are planned for the sidwalks on both street facades of the Alexandria building. At last report, bushy, leafy trees are planned. In ten years or so, they will all but obscure the lower half of the theatre building. Others have voiced opposition to this type of tree, suggesting that palm trees be substituted. These would not obscure the building, and would be more appropriate for the Egyptian Revival character of the building exterior. By no means would this mean planting colossal date palms, as one city staffer mistakenly thought was the intention. Rather, a thinner, more graceful species (and there are many) could be selected. Leafier trees could still be planted along the sidewalk in front of the residential units making up the rest of the site. The result:
1. The ongoing “Greening” of San Francisco’s streets continues.
2. The Alexandria Theatre building’s exterior remains clearly visible as the last remaining Egyptian Revival theatre exterior in Northern California, and the only such theatre designed by the most prolific Northern California theatre architects of the period, the Reid Bros.
Due to work obligations, I am not able to attend this meeting, which is today. I’m hoping that MAYBE someone who has read my previous posts will attend, or at the very least, people from San Francisco’s neighborhood theatre and historic preservation community are going to be there.
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Thanks for linking to this article, Eric.