Alameda Theatre
2317 Central Avenue,
Alameda,
CA
94501
2317 Central Avenue,
Alameda,
CA
94501
25 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Alameda Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Nasser Bros. Theaters
Architects: Timothy L. Pflueger
Firms: Pflueger Architects, The Henry Architects
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Alameda 3
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
510.769.3456
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- May 25, 2011 — Theater operator wanted
- Jan 28, 2009 — Redevelopment Association honors Alameda Theatre
- Aug 20, 2008 — Gala funds pay to restore Alameda Theatre's 1932 mural
- Jul 9, 2008 — Alameda Theatre cuts corners with non-union workers
- May 9, 2008 — Theatre Historical Society Conclave To Visit Bay Area
- Mar 5, 2007 — Fight for the Alameda
- Nov 9, 2005 — SFMOMA Showcases Local Theater Drawings By Timothy L. Pflueger
- Jun 30, 2005 — Concerns Over Historic Alameda Theater Project
The Alameda Theatre originally opened August 16, 1932 with Marion Nixon in “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm” & Laurel & Hardy in “The Chimp”. It had a seating capacity of 2,168. It was operated by the Nasser Bros. Theaters chain. It became a triplex on March 12, 1975 and closed in the 1980’s. It was later used as a gymnastics studio.
In 2005, plans were proposed to renovate and re-open the theatre. The original auditorium has reverted back to one space, with seven additional screens built next to the theatre, designed by the architectural firm The Henry Architects. The Alameda Theatre re-opened May 21, 2008.
Contributed by
Owen Smith
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 123 comments)
Thanks for your photos Will— they are fabulous! Wish we could get them substituted for the photo at the top of this page.
Re: Curtain from the Alameda Business Update 10/25/2010:
The Theatre’s original, elaborately handpainted
screen curtains were central to its
design when it opened in the 1930’s.
Eventually, the right-hand stage curtain fell
into disrepair, sustaining irreparable water
damage. When the Restoration Project began
in 2000, replacement fabric was used to
complete the curtain.
This year, the City and Alameda
Entertainment Associates’ Kyle Conner began
a search for the right fabric – and the right
artist – to recreate the lost curtain piece.
Among several candidates for the job, Bay
Area artist Beate Bruhl was chosen to copy the
fabric’s intricate design and paint it onto new
fabric. Ms. Bruhl had worked with the crew to
gold-leaf the Theatre during its 2008
See Theatre
Curtain continued:
restoration and was well acquainted with
its needs. She had soon prepared a
stencil of the design to be transferred
onto new fabric.
Theatre operator Conner collaborated
with local upholsterer Jimmy Luque to
find the perfect curtain fabric,
eventually selecting Turkish velvet.
After Ms. Bruhl creates a newly painted
curtain panel and it is attached to the
existing curtain, the curtain will be back
to itself again.
To learn more about the historic
Alameda Theatre, visit
http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/theater/
The restoration of the original Alameda Theatre to a single screen and the addition of seven additional screens was designed by the Seattle firm The Henry Architects. Their cinema projects slide show includes four photos of the Alameda Cinema.
A few 2011 photos can be seen here and here.
I believe this is the theater where my mother was employed as an “usherette” when Gone With The Wind" came out. I am so happy to know that this wonderful theater has been restored! I remember red velvet everywhere and gold embellishments. I can almost smell the popcorn when I see these lovely pictures. Thank you so much!
I’m happy to say, as the Alameda Theatre and Cineplex nears its 6th anniversary (in May of this year), the theatre couldn’t be in better shape. I visited this site today for the first time in years. Looking back at all the comments, I had to laugh out loud when I read the remarks of the nay sayers who posted on this site. They all seem so trivial and petty in light of the great success of the project.
All eight screens now feature digital projection and state of the art sound. Seeing a movie, especially in the original main theatre, is a treat. By the way, the popcorn with butter is fantasitc.
The theatre is ramping up for their classic film series. To see the schedule go to shopparkstreet.com which will lead you to the theatre’s web site. They have a numbe of great movies lined up.
Enjoy the movies.
Best Regards,
Robb Ratto
Executive Director
Park Street Business Association
Grand opening ad:
Reopened with three screens on March 12th, 1975. Ad in photo section.
The theater was designed by architect Timothy Pflueger who also designed the Alhambra and the Castro in San Francisco; and the Paramount in Oakland. The Alameda was built in 14 months at a cost of $500,000.