Grace Street Theater

934 W. Grace Street,
Richmond, VA 23220

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Related Websites

Grace Street Theater (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fabian Theaters, Wilmer & Vincent Corp.

Architects: Henry Carl Messerschmidt

Functions: Live Performances

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Lee Theatre, Lee Art Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 804.828.2020

Nearby Theaters

Grace Street Theater

Opened on October 13, 1935 with Clark Gable in “China Seas”. The Lee Theatre had seating for 588. The Lee Theatre was designed by Richmond architect Henry Carl Messerschmidt in an Art Deco style. By 1950, it was operated by Fabian Theatres chain who closed it in 1963.

It reopened on October 23, 1965 as the renamed Lee Art Theatre with Jayne Mansfield in “Promises, Promises” (the uncut European version) & Kenneth More in “Loss of Innocence”. It screened adult films and this continued until closing in 1993.

Now operating as the Grace Street Theater, a live performance theatre operated by the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Contributed by Lost Memory

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 10, 2007 at 9:42 am

Here is a larger version of the 1937 photo seen on the official website:
http://tinyurl.com/ytdkw7

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 10, 2007 at 10:11 am

I did that already, but it didn’t work. I guess I have to order the larger size next trip.

JackCoursey
JackCoursey on July 21, 2010 at 6:49 pm

Here are some great photos and information on the Lee/Grace Street Theatre.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 21, 2010 at 7:57 pm

Thanks Jack for the pictures.

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on July 22, 2010 at 1:55 pm

Nice photos of the Lee/GraceStreet Theatre.

cinemascope
cinemascope on January 7, 2014 at 10:36 am

Jeff, as the advertising director for Neighborhood Theatres from 1975 to 1996 (as well as a promoter of many midnight movies), I enjoyed your post tremendously. Always glad to know someone notices all the little nuances that went into title logos, sig cuts, etc.

rivest266
rivest266 on September 25, 2022 at 9:03 pm

The Lee opened on October 13th, 1935, and closed in 1963. It reopened on October 23rd, 1965 as Lee Art showing adult movies.

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