California Theatre
1122 4th Avenue,
San Diego,
CA
92101
1122 4th Avenue,
San Diego,
CA
92101
23 people
favorited this theater
This Spanish Colonial Revival theater was opened on April 22, 1927 and seated over 2,200 patrons.
Once a premiere venue for the city, the theater has been in disuse for decades. Although the California Theatre was renovated in 1988, two years later in 1990, it was closed and scheduled for demolition.
In 2001, in addition to restorations, plans call for a wide redevelopment of the entire area, which should bring the theater back into the spotlight and out from the shadows of time.
In early-2011, plans are progressing to renovate the building and eventually reopen as Davenports Supper Club on April 22, 2013.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
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Recent comments (view all 145 comments)
A few years ago (look back in this comment section) I mentioned that I was the last manager that closed the building down in 1990. The roof and some structural work could have been improved upon at that time but basically it was a very solid building. I guess I would get a kick to tour it one more time and see the damage done by the interlopers that got in there. We were off to a good start cleaning it up and minor repairs but it got sold and closed…At least it drew in some rent when I operated it for the trust dept of the union bank…how it stayed empty since 1990,I cannot fathom . I must have cost a lot just to insure and pay taxes on it and be closed. I sincerely hope it will be rebuilt, but in reality it has to pay it’s way somehow. Dave Scrimger
we will see.
My name is Michael Warden and I am currently working on my Historical Preservation Thesis for my Bachelor of Arts Interior Design. My design partner and I are interested in using the California Theatre as our subject for an adaptive historical preservation re-use project. My design partner lives in San Diego and I live in Orange County and am doing online research for project locations in the San Diego area.
I am currently in the research phase attempting to acquire as much information about the entire building, as well as buildings around this property and the interior layout of the actual theatre. I have found a few photos online but would definitely like to acquire more.
I see that this building is slated for redevelopment as a Supper Club. This is great since we needed to find an actual historical building to use for our project preferably one that hasn’t been done, but realistically can be refurbished.
Is there any way I can get a copy of the floor plans of the building from you or do I need to contact the city? Any sketches, renderings, photos etc. would be very helpful. I am sure most, if not all original interior materials are probably non-existent, but if you had any info, or left over paint samples, or misc. material pieces, or vendor/product information this would be an added bonus to figure how to resort it to the original designs.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to this property being redeveloped and visiting it once it is complete.
Michael Warden Michael Warden Custom Design 7901 Harhay Ave. Midway City, CA 92655 ASID, IIDA Student Orange County Sheriff Reserve Unit, PSR, SPRU Special Projects Reserve Unit Cell 714-209-5841
HISTORIC CALIFORNIA THEATER AND YOUTH ORCHESTRA GROUP a pending, tax deductible, charitable corporation P. O. Box 33666, San Diego CA 92163-3666, Phone: 619-281-2200 Email Site http://californiatheater.awardspace.us
TO THOSE EXPRESSING AN INTEREST IN THE HISTORIC CALIFORNIA THEATER PROPERTY:
Thank you for your interest in the HCT.
The information you seek is on line as I have posted all I have there for the public to use and see.
In general the owner has been uncooperative, refusing all requests for access, you are welcome to try, but I suspect you will get nowhere.
Good Luck on your efforts.
Prof Bill Neill, E. D. HCT.
Hi Micheal, The project you are asking about is mine so I wanted to update you and the blog on the status.
As Mr. Neill has stated the owner is not allowing entry just for the asking but it is in the contract that we are negotiating with them. My attorney is still to re-write the contract details sent by the owners rep so it is almost complete.
There are no floor plans and the renderings developed by my London Architect are proprietary and cannot be sent out. Once the public is under notification (which will be soon) I will post that on the blog and invite the architecture students to view them. This will include viewing some very rare old photos as well.
We are moving with the City on the status of the Caliente sign on the rear of the fly loft being saved and it was said on FaceBook that this project may want to destroy the theatre usage as it once was. That is nonsense. Restoration is a painstaking effort aside from being complex but it requires a developer that is willing to stick by it until it is complete and we are in this for the long haul.
There is a petition to save the sign http://www.change.org/petitions/mayor-of-san-diego-save-the-historic-caliente-mural Please sign it and tell the City why you stand behind it I believe that those involved in architecture should lead the pack and yes I have already signed it.
Please stay on this blog, for further updates on the Davenports project and email me if you have any questions.
Davenport President & CEO Davenports Supper Club & VIP Cigar Lounge LLC
Hi Everyone, First I want to thank you for keeping the interest going for all this time it helps the City to understand that the building is not just a blight it has a future and folks care about it.
Some of you may know that the Caliente sign (the yellow and black horse racing sign on the rear of the flyloft on the 3rd avenue side) was under fire by the owners who wanted to have a beer company paint over it.
I was asked by CityBeat and KPBS if my project would keep the sign, I want to assure you we will. The group that hosted the petition I posted earlier is going before the powers that be in the City to stop that from ever happening again.
You may not have known this, the owner received the building in foreclosure as I stated prior but since obtaining it they have used it to finance other projects in LA. It is only a tool to them, it as you know is so much more to my company and you.
We are gathering stories about your experience with the theatre for a coffee table book that we will have published on opening day. Send me any old pics as well we would love to see what you enjoyed about it in its heyday.
The public announcement will happen soon and I will naturally let you know when and where so that you can see the renderings from my London Architect and design teams. I know you will be as pleased as SOHO and CCDC were! We are deciding on whom the donors and investors will be now (not everyone with money is the right one for this project)and there will also be a way for those with limited funds to be a part of the Theatres new life.
Until next time check out the Facebook pages and if you are on LinkedIn or WordPress check out the updates.
Yours Faithfully, Davenport President & CEO Davenports Supper Club & VIP Cigar Lounge LLC
April 22nd, 1927 grand opening ad is in the photo section.
Hi Rivest266, Great picture and so is the one with the parade. Thank you all so much for the fantastic input it is needed and appreciated. I hope to see more rare pics one day.
The Wordpress blog is the best way to stay in touch with updates it’s called “CA Theatre – Diary of a Historic Green Developer”. The project has received the approval from the historic and government agencies that we needed so on to the next steps. I will of course deep you posted.
Yours Faithfully, Davenport – President & CEO – Davenports Supper Club & VIP Cigar Lounge LLC
Love what you’re doing with this great landmark! I tried to find your Linkedin page, but haven’t had any luck. What’s the name on the Linkedin site? Thanks.
Thank you the project is progressing very well, we have our second approval from SOHO on the look of the new additions. The LinkedIn page is under Davenports Supper Club & VIP Cigar lounge look forward to wrong you there.
Davenport