State Theatre

609 Congress Street,
Portland, ME 4101

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The State Theatre opened on 8th November 1929 and was designed in a semi-Atmospheric/Spanish style. The original seating capacity was for 2,300. It operated as a first run movie house until the late-1960’s, when it became a porn theater.

In 1989, the theatre was closed and fell into disrepair. By the mid-1990’s, the theatre was saved and restored. It closed for a brief time after its restoration and was reopened by new owners as a performing arts and concerts venue.

Closed again in early-2007, it was the last of the movie palaces left in the city of Portland, Maine.

The State Theatre re-opened in October 2010 as a concert and live performance venue.

Contributed by Michael Mitchell

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

stevepatrick
stevepatrick on November 23, 2007 at 6:08 pm

Could someone please update the status of The State Theatre? Is it still closed? Is it still up for sale? If it’s for sale, any idea on the asking price? How about the name of the brokerage company, if any, and if you know the owner’s name I would appreciate that as well. Thanks for any information you can share.

tas9
tas9 on December 4, 2007 at 5:46 pm

State Theater is currently owed by Stone Coast Properties, www.stonecoastproperties.com They own the entire Congress Building and have been making improvements and upgrades to the building since they bought it. They are currently looking for the right tenant for the State Theater, and if you are interested, you should call them. The State is a great place to see a show!

lostmemory
lostmemory on April 28, 2008 at 8:48 am

This is a modern (undated) photo of the State Theater.

uptownjen
uptownjen on June 27, 2008 at 7:24 pm

just watched the guster concert film ‘guster on ice’, which was filmed at this theatre in 2004.

sad to see that it is closed.

KenRoe
KenRoe on August 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm

The State Theatre, photographed in the snow in January 2008;
View link

Chuck1231
Chuck1231 on April 12, 2009 at 9:18 pm

1979 photo of the State Theatre. I believe this should be listed as two screens.
View link

maleman
maleman on August 6, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Chuck 1231 when the state theatre started showing porn movies they
made a 2nd screen in the balcony.Thats why in the pic it says state 1 and state 2.When they restored the state theatre that screen was removed during that time.Its a One screen theatre like it was before it was a porn theater.You should find out the facts before you make your comments.

Chuck1231
Chuck1231 on August 6, 2009 at 2:01 pm

Being a little critical aren’t we? I was only going by what was obvious in the photo. No where in the comments section does it say that the second screen was removed. Thus my comment about two screens.

spectrum
spectrum on November 15, 2010 at 9:33 pm

The state has reopened! According to their new website they have undergone extensive renovations and they have a variety of events coming up. Movies are included among their events – Dec. 3 has a special showing of the Wizard of Oz.

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