Fine Arts Theater

429 S. California Avenue,
Palo Alto, CA 94306

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Originally named for a small community, Mayfield, which was later annexed to Palo Alto, this theater was originally a simple Spanish Mission style structure, but was given a plain Moderne facade and marquee in the 1950’s. The last chain to operate it was Renaissance Rialto.

Closed in the late-1980’s, the building is now an oriental rug gallery, though conversion back to a theater would be relatively easy. The marquee still reads Fine Arts in neon, and the original facade still exists in part behind the 1950’s era fascia.

Contributed by Gary Parks

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 12, 2006 at 3:25 pm

The name of the current business is Jamil Oriental Carpets.

lostmemory
lostmemory on November 17, 2007 at 12:51 pm

Here is a photo of the carpet store which looks like it is closing.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on January 7, 2008 at 4:39 pm

Here is another photo from a current loopnet ad:
http://tinyurl.com/2cc7ke

lostmemory
lostmemory on January 7, 2008 at 6:41 pm

If this building is on Loopnet, does that mean its for sale? And why didn’t you just link to the Loopnet page instead of removing their photo?

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on May 20, 2009 at 9:06 pm

The architect of the 1951 moderne remodeling when the Mayfield was converted into the Fine Arts was Gale Santocono. The February 17 issue of Boxoffice ran the announcement, but managed to mangle the architect’s name into Gus Santascona.

lostmemory
lostmemory on June 3, 2009 at 4:02 pm

Here are two 1986 photos:

Day Photo

Night Photo

lostmemory
lostmemory on June 7, 2009 at 12:42 pm

This is a 1979 photo.

LBorg
LBorg on February 13, 2011 at 6:59 pm

My Uncle Lawrence Borg Owned this theatre from approximately 1947. Uncle Lawrence Died in 1954, however the theatre remained in the family, under the Borg Family Trust. The Trust was dissolved around 1996/7, and the theatre was sold shortly before the trust was dissolved. I am trying to research when he actually purchased the theatre, or if he was the original owner.

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on October 20, 2011 at 10:35 pm

Here’s a recent photo: http://www.thewholeearthisfilledwithhisglory.com/theaters/077a.html

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on November 16, 2011 at 8:36 pm

Here’s another recent photo:

http://www.thewholeearthisfilledwithhisglory.com/theaters/077b.html

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