Athens Theatre
124 N. Florida Avenue,
DeLand,
FL
32720
124 N. Florida Avenue,
DeLand,
FL
32720
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 48 comments found
Amazing that the area can support a single screen theatre of this size.
“Before and After” images in this 1951 trade ad: boxofficemagazine
Here is a picture from 1943.
During the ‘50s and '60s, the Athens was owned by longtime DeLand resident Bill Tison, who also owned Bill Tison Auto Sales to the left of the cinema.
My friend Donna who lives in nearby Deltona told me she saw Cosi Fan Tutti here recently. Of course I only wanted to know about the theater (I already know about Mozart…), and here it is! I love finding restored gems like this one.
The June 7, 1952, issue of Boxoffice devoted its Modern Theatre section to articles about remodeling, and one of the theaters featured was the Athens. The article said that the architects for the remodeling were Kemp, Bunch & Jackson, and that the new configuration of the auditorium provided space for 812 seats.
The status of the Athens should be changed to open.
Here are two recent interior photos courtesy of Irv Lipscomb.
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1981 Photo
Here is a 2009 night view.
You mean the status? It should be open and function is live performances/Independent and classic movies.
Shouldn’t the header be updated on this theatre?
This is a nice 2009 photo.
rdsub: Nice to read that downtown DeLand is a happening little place nice with nice restaurants and bars now! I see you typed Deland and I have recently seen it typed as DeLand. Which is politically correct?
The Athens seems to be alive and well. Just picked up a flyer for events in Jan 09 and they are showing classic movies and hosting events. I live in the area and I’m going to try and check out a classic flick. Downtown Deland is a happening little place. Nice restaurants and bars. Apparently it used to be quite run down in the early 90’s so it’s nice to see come to life.
Patsy: The 1950 remodeling the magazine article referred to was the one that gave the Athens the facade that appears in the postcard view currently at the top of this Cinema Treasures page- the one that looks sort of like a drive-in’s screen tower.
“remodeling the facade”….I wonder if this is the photo I’ve seen on the Athens Theatre website of the front of the building completely hidden? If so, it is an example of what was done in the 70’s to “modernize” the look though at least the building was not demolished to make room for another downtown parking lot. I applaud the City of DeLand and all of those involved in the fine renovation/restoration of this theatre built by local DeLand laborers in the 20’s. Check out the website and the slide show there…you will be amazed! I plan to visit the Athens in March and will report on my theatre trip to DeLand FL. And the theatre’s name was derived from the vision of DeLand’s founder, Henry DeLand, who sought to create a city that would be the “Athens of Floridaâ€.
The Athens Theatre underwent a major remodeling in 1950. An item in the April 29, 1950, issue of Boxoffice Magazine described the extensive changes planned for the house by manager Joe Fleishel. These included expanding the lobby by incorporating a former cross-aisle at the back of the auditorium, installing new seating, redesigning the rest rooms, replacing the staircase to the balcony with a new, curved staircase, plus remodeling the facade and installing a new marquee and box office. A brief item in the June 10 issue of Boxoffice said that the renovations were underway, and that the new interiors had been designed by decorator Dick Oliver.
Another photo of the Athens Theater can be seen here.
It is an exciting time for supporters of the Athens Theatre. The long lasting renovation and restoration will be coming to a close this Fall and a dedication ceremony is being planned for September 19, 2008. The facility will concentrate on classic and independent movie screenings for the first several months while equipment is being installed and the building is readied for live theatrical performances. A Grand Reopening on January 6, 2009 (the anniversary of the original opening) will kick off live performances. The facility will operate year around thereafter with a diverse programming schedule of movies, comedy and musical concerts, as well as smaller touring shows.
The renovation costs will be approximately $9.6 million. Anyone interested in learning more or taking a tour can contact me directly at I am the Executive Director and give tours on a weekly basis to interested individuals and companies.
This is a more recent photo of the Athens Theater.
InterAmerica Stage, Inc. has been retained to provide rigging equipment, draperies, track and an Orchestra Pit Lift. We are thrilled to be the successful stage equipment contractors for this project. Our staff includes many people who live in Volusia County and some that live in Deland.
http://iastage.com/historical_renovations
Richard D: Thanks so much for your important tornado information as I have been concerned about those communities.
Patsy:
Deltona and Orange City are OK. Also Debary where I live. Most of the damage was south of Deland in area of Sonny’s BBQ, Sheriffs’s Office substation. and in the area of Huntoon Landing..15A runs North /South west of Deland got damage also.
Richard D: What do you know about the Orange City and Deltona areas?