Gate Picturehouse
87 High Street,
London,
W11 3JZ
87 High Street,
London,
W11 3JZ
8 people
favorited this theater
This delightful cinema opened in April 1911 with 450 seats. It was created by architect William Hancock from a former restaurant.
It has a lot of Edwardian plasterwork on the ceiling and walls and is very comfortable.
It has gone under the names of Electric Palace (original) and Embassy, and Classic Cinema before being known as the Gate.
The exterior is now of little merit having been re-built in the 1950’s after the original facade was badly bomb damaged during World War II. The Gate Cinema survives today as a popular art house cinema and is now operated by the Picturehouse Cinemas chain.
In 1994, the Gate Cinema was designated a Grade II Listed building by English Heritage
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
Here is a website for this theater. It includes some history.
Are there plans to keep it open for any other purpose other than for cinema?
Visiting London, last Friday eve, I enjoyed “Lives with Others” with live Q & A with the German director. The sold out audience was thrilled with his interesting, entertaining answers.
Here’s a photo I took of the beautiful auditorium:
View link
This is an August 2008 exterior view.
That photo reminds me of Le Ranelagh in Paris. Is there any relationship?
I have no idea. Here is a 2009 photo.
It’s great to see this wonderful old cinema being talked about.
As The Gate’s ex (and last!) chief projectionist, I know the building inside out. I have lost sleep, blood, sweat and tears in that place but wouldnt change my time there for anything!
You could not tell from the redone outside that this nice theatre was inside.Very cool looking.
press ad from dec 1979 for late shows at The Gate (and the Gate Two – now the Curzon Renoir)
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Hi, we’re looking to do some work to celebrate the Gate’s 101st this year. Any old photos/listings/clippings or stories would be much appreciated!