Palace Theatre

19 Clinton Avenue,
Albany, NY 12207

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Related Websites

Palace, Albany (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Fabian Theaters, RKO

Architects: John Adolph Emil Eberson

Functions: Concerts, Movies, Stage Shows

Styles: Atmospheric, Baroque

Previous Names: RKO Palace Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 518.465.4663

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News About This Theater

Palace Theatre

The RKO Palace Theatre was opened in October 23, 1931 with Ann Harding in “Devotion” on the screen and RKO vaudeville on stage. It had 3,764 seats and was equipped with a Wurlitzer 4 manual, 20 ranks organ. It was built by Fabian Securities Ltd. and leased to RKO. Designed by noted theatre architect John Eberson in a Baroque/semi-Atmospheric style. Seating is now provided for 1,541 in the orchestra and 1,303 in the balcony. The proscenium is 63 feet wide and the stage 33 feet deep. In 1960, it was renovated and a new facade and marquee were installed over the entrance. The Palace Theatre was closed as a movie theatre in September 1969.

It was purchased from Fabian by the city, for use as a civic auditorium. In 1979, it was placed on the Register of Historic Places. Many stars such as The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springstein, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Melisa Etheridge and Jerry Seinfeld have performed on the Palace Theatre stage. The Palace Theatre is also home to the Albany Symphony Orchestra.

Extensive renovations were carried out in 2002, and a replica of the original 1931 marquee was installed in 2004. Now part of Albany’s resurging theatre district, the Palace Theatre is home to concerts and live shows. Once a vibrant movie palace, it has risen again as a prime venue for concerts in the state capital.

Recent comments (view all 95 comments)

gd14lawn
gd14lawn on June 29, 2009 at 9:50 pm

As a lifelong Albany resident I was thrilled with the renovation of the Palace. I saw a couple of movies there as a kid (including Bambi)and have enjoyed many, many concerts there through the years. Unfortunately, someone ran a car into the front doors at least a year ago and half of the front doors were boarded up. I don’t understand why they have not been repaired yet. Could they plan on leaving this beautiful theater with half the entrance covered in plywood? Also, there are some areas of peeling paint in the theater. Whoever did the restoration should have to come back and repair what has not held up. It would be a shame to let the theater fall back into disrepair.

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on July 24, 2009 at 10:20 am

This 1951 photo comes courtesy of LIFE …
View link

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on December 9, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Cool history and photos.

ordway1440
ordway1440 on May 15, 2010 at 11:54 am

A few years ago, someone SOMEWHERE on the web posted pictures of the Palace Projection booth that were taken in the 80’s showing the OLD booth before restoration with the old 1950’s era RCA equipment. Anyone have any idea where these pictures appeared? Dozens of Google searches have given me nothing.

Gerald A. DeLuca
Gerald A. DeLuca on June 28, 2010 at 8:55 am

An article on Fabian’s Palace, with photos, appeared in Boxoffice magazine, August 7, 1961:
View link

Patsy
Patsy on August 25, 2012 at 7:34 am

Tinseltoes: Great photo you posted on 7/21/2010. In October a group called Straight No Chaser will take to the Palace stage!

Kris4077
Kris4077 on October 21, 2013 at 10:15 am

Palace is a definite fit for this theater, it is truly like a Palace, it is palacial in size and decore. I think it sad to see not only theaters but all manor of old buildings in such states of disrepair and neglect, instead of preserving the buildings of this era of time we just let them rot away. It is such a shame we could have so many more beautiful examples such as proctors, but through selfishness and greed we let them deteriorate until we cannot save them.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on September 2, 2017 at 1:23 pm

Clear version of the 6/28/51 LIFE Magazine Photo added.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 27, 2017 at 6:46 pm

Circa 1952 photo added credit Times Union. Palace sign with arrow at the top.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 5, 2019 at 1:56 pm

Updated facade photo added, 1969 photo credit Historic Images.

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