The Piedmont is actually a 1934 remodeling of a 1917 theater. Originally single-screened, it fell victim to changing trends and was plexed in the mid-1980’s (one of the last single-screens, at least in the Bay Area, to do so).
The Broadway was a vast renovation of an earlier Broadway Theater, which had been built in 1908 as the Novelty, and renamed Broadway and Republic. Initially the rebuilt theater was called NEW BROADWAY, but this was eventually shortened to Broadway, which it remained until its closure and swift demolition in 1971.
The Rialto opened in 1915 as the Avenue (presumably after San Pablo Avenue), named Rialto in 1922, renamed New Rialto in 1935, but apparently reverted to Rialto before closing in 1956.
The Rex opened (initially on 1005 Broadway; a later change in Oakland’s address numbering system changed the address to 1011) as the Marlowe in 1908, renamed Imperial in 1916, and finally the Rex in 1934; it was closed in 1962 and demolished for a parking lot (since itself replaced by the Oakland Marriott).
The Gateway (originally Golden State) has long been home to the Star Bethel Church. In the late 1970’s, an expansion of the front entrance eliminated the facade of the building; however, outer traces of the auditorium (though punctured by church windows) remain intact.
The theater, after a long idle period, was remodeled about 1981 and renamed Cinema 1 Theatre; it operated for a few years before closing and became a church; after the church closed, it sat vacant yet again before being converted into its current function.
The Parkway was originally a single-screen theater; a second theater was added about 1974 (apparently by converting a storage space upstairs, as a newspaper article claims the theater never had a balcony). Hopefully someone who visited the theater before its second screen was added can clear this up.
After a period of abandonment, the Rialto was converted in the late 1970’s into a neighborhood church. Not sure if that church is still in operation (at least at that location); but the building still stands.
The Esquire was demolished about 1954, (though some accounts say it was radically renovated into the Mel’s Drive-In reastauant that replaced it, and which has been used in various capacities since).
The Palace is alive and well (as a building); it has long been a church.
Exterior (similar is some respects to S.F.’s Coliseum) appears intact though in need of some touching up; hopefully the interoir remains impressive as well.
When Smart N' Final was preparing the interior of the building, they opened up the ceiling, found detailed remains of the theater auditorium within, and decided to leave them intact, making for quite a unique shopping experience (word has it that Longs Drugs will retain this feature). This development leads one to believe whether the Dimond or Granada theaters have similar auditorium remains just waiting to be uncovered someday…
The El Rey was actually demolished in the late 1950’s; the site (along with the entire 3500 block of San Pablo Avenue and several other streets in that area) is now a freeway overpass.
The Piedmont is actually a 1934 remodeling of a 1917 theater. Originally single-screened, it fell victim to changing trends and was plexed in the mid-1980’s (one of the last single-screens, at least in the Bay Area, to do so).
The Broadway was a vast renovation of an earlier Broadway Theater, which had been built in 1908 as the Novelty, and renamed Broadway and Republic. Initially the rebuilt theater was called NEW BROADWAY, but this was eventually shortened to Broadway, which it remained until its closure and swift demolition in 1971.
The Lincoln was built in 1921 and closed as a movie house in the 1960’s.
The Rialto opened in 1915 as the Avenue (presumably after San Pablo Avenue), named Rialto in 1922, renamed New Rialto in 1935, but apparently reverted to Rialto before closing in 1956.
The Moulin Rouge opened in 1909 as the Gem; it became Moulin Rouge in 1933 and closed early in 1970.
The Rex opened (initially on 1005 Broadway; a later change in Oakland’s address numbering system changed the address to 1011) as the Marlowe in 1908, renamed Imperial in 1916, and finally the Rex in 1934; it was closed in 1962 and demolished for a parking lot (since itself replaced by the Oakland Marriott).
The address was 1434 13th Avenue.
The Star opened as the Marquee in 1916, became the Arabian in 1930, and became the Star in 1937; it closed in 1962 and was subsequently demolished.
The theater mcooley is referring to is the Laurel (later Cine 7), listed here under Victory Outreach Church.
Theatre 70 was the original name of the Cinema 1.
The Senator was opened about 1926 and closed in 1960. It was demolished a few years later for a church.
The Palace was built in 1923 and closed about 1953.
The Eastmont Theatre was opened in 1927 and closed in 1953.
The Gateway (originally Golden State) has long been home to the Star Bethel Church. In the late 1970’s, an expansion of the front entrance eliminated the facade of the building; however, outer traces of the auditorium (though punctured by church windows) remain intact.
The Tower’s original name was the L.D. Purdy Theater; it became the Claremont in 1916.
The Pagoda Palace was briefly operated by Renaissance Rialto in 1986 as a repertory theater.
The theater, after a long idle period, was remodeled about 1981 and renamed Cinema 1 Theatre; it operated for a few years before closing and became a church; after the church closed, it sat vacant yet again before being converted into its current function.
The Clay is NOT closed; in fact it is very much operating alive and presumably well!
The Parkway was originally a single-screen theater; a second theater was added about 1974 (apparently by converting a storage space upstairs, as a newspaper article claims the theater never had a balcony). Hopefully someone who visited the theater before its second screen was added can clear this up.
The Oaks was originally a single-screen theater; the auditorium was split in two about 1973.
After a period of abandonment, the Rialto was converted in the late 1970’s into a neighborhood church. Not sure if that church is still in operation (at least at that location); but the building still stands.
The Esquire was demolished about 1954, (though some accounts say it was radically renovated into the Mel’s Drive-In reastauant that replaced it, and which has been used in various capacities since).
The Palace is alive and well (as a building); it has long been a church.
Exterior (similar is some respects to S.F.’s Coliseum) appears intact though in need of some touching up; hopefully the interoir remains impressive as well.
When Smart N' Final was preparing the interior of the building, they opened up the ceiling, found detailed remains of the theater auditorium within, and decided to leave them intact, making for quite a unique shopping experience (word has it that Longs Drugs will retain this feature). This development leads one to believe whether the Dimond or Granada theaters have similar auditorium remains just waiting to be uncovered someday…
The El Rey was actually demolished in the late 1950’s; the site (along with the entire 3500 block of San Pablo Avenue and several other streets in that area) is now a freeway overpass.