World Theatre
314 Third Avenue SE,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52401
314 Third Avenue SE,
Cedar Rapids,
IA
52401
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Here is an October 1977 ad from the Cedar Rapids Gazette:
http://tinyurl.com/lkskhj
This is another 1978 photo.
1978 photo of the World Theatre.
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1982 photo of the World Theatre.
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See notes about Roy Metcalfe and Fountainbleau Cinemas under the Times theater listing for Cedar Rapids. His Times theater and World theaters both featured electric pump waterfalls in the lobbies.
I believe the World was owned at one time by Roy Metcalf. He aso owned The Times Theatre in Cedar Rapids and also owned the Evans Theatre in Anamosa Iowa
The non profit group that gutted the building completely (balcony, plaster, everything) is now out of business. The building is just an empty shell. Apparently there was some dispute between the president and the board members. The president was the wife of the president of the bank that owns the building.
Yes but they are now meeting in various venues. Jason hasn’t updated his website since they left the theatre. The theatre is sitting there and not much has happened since the destruction of the interior. They did board up the front.
The Nexus website is still up and running:
http://tinyurl.com/rst5t
After the Strand (World) changed to the State theatre in 1930 the former Olympic theatre at 5101 16th Ave SW became the Strand.
The theatre is gutted now. The bank that owns the building kicked out the night club and a non profit group wants to turn it into an ethnic diversity center (the bank prez’s wife heads the group). They haven’t figured out what to do with the building but everything behind the entryway was gutted (the balcony, and even the plaster on the walls and ceiling were stripped. When I last got into the building the framework for the balcony was there and the wood framing of the proscenium was intact and sections of the plaster at the top of the proscenium had purposly been left in place.
The entryway was reopened to its' original 2 story configuration and tilework and terra cotta that had been covered were revealed for the first time in 60 years. The remnants of the two original ticket booths were uncovered.
The only thing that has been announced for certain is that the facade is to be restored and relit and a replica of the 1915 marquee is to be installed.
This is a 2004 photo of the World Theater in Cedar Rapids.
Got an email from a member in Cedar Rapids today saying that the front facade and marquee had been removed from the World Theatre. Any one know anymore on this? Here is a photo of the World Theatre.
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Never mind, I figured this one out. Father’s House Vineyard Church was located here from 1999 to January of 2003 and moved to a new building at 5101 16th Ave SW.
Was there another Strand/World theater located in Cedar Rapids at 5101 16th Ave SW?
Need to update the address on the theatre.
The address for the World Theatre, AKA Strand, State, is 314 Third Avenue, Cedar Rapids, Ia.