Two photos of the Ritz taken in November 2010, the building is boarded up and is for sale with a national retailer apparently interested in the building.
I would far rather the name remained as the last cinema name, instead of chopping and changing with the latest nightclub / retail store moniker, which as no meaning on the CT site.
One of the flickr photos above suggests a date of 1952 and originally a two screen cinema Europa and Esplanade. I would guess that would be about the time it was built, judging purely by the architecture and history of post-war reconstruction of Frankfurt.
This is a fairly old multiplex. Back in the 1980’s it was still a 9 screen complex with the screens going under a variety of names (all beginning with the letter “E”):-
Europa; Elite; Esplanade 1 & 2; Elysee 1 & 2; Eden; Espirit 1 & 2. Whether the ‘1 & 2’ versions were sub-divisions of an earlier larger screen I do not know. It was also known as the Hauptwache Centre for a time.
A two year reprieve has been announced securing the theatres future through to the Autumn of 2012. In the meantime options of restoring and retaining the theatre by a Trust are to be prepared.
Two photos of the Ritz taken in November 2010, the building is boarded up and is for sale with a national retailer apparently interested in the building.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5180822869/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5180822631/
The English Heritage listing report can be viewed here – some good indication of the style of the building:–
View link
Photos taken November 2010:–
Exterior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5170812529/
Auditorium:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5170813287/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5171414986/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5170812919/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5171414520/
The Palace was reported as being demolished in October 2010.
Two further images:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/137523069/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/137523070/
One of London’s most civilised places to watch a film:–
Exterior:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5141885935/
Auditorium:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5141886345/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5142489426/
Two views after the Bingo had closed :–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/1193485690/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/1193485222/
A night shot of the Charing Cross Road entrance here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5130653901/
Another photo taken whilst still a cinema:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/336474144/
Thanks for changing the name! The text clearly shows what it is call now but finding the theatre in the list really does require the cinema name. :–)
Anyway notwithstanding the name, here are two photos of the exterior for differing times:–
1970:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/1171357606/
1990:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/138626959/
I would far rather the name remained as the last cinema name, instead of chopping and changing with the latest nightclub / retail store moniker, which as no meaning on the CT site.
A shot of the rear of the Westminster showing the flytower and dressing rooms:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5083423722/
Two photos of the Forum being demolished:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5083424050/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5082827743/
Photo from circa 1984 here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/141621222/
One of the flickr photos above suggests a date of 1952 and originally a two screen cinema Europa and Esplanade. I would guess that would be about the time it was built, judging purely by the architecture and history of post-war reconstruction of Frankfurt.
This is a fairly old multiplex. Back in the 1980’s it was still a 9 screen complex with the screens going under a variety of names (all beginning with the letter “E”):-
Europa; Elite; Esplanade 1 & 2; Elysee 1 & 2; Eden; Espirit 1 & 2. Whether the ‘1 & 2’ versions were sub-divisions of an earlier larger screen I do not know. It was also known as the Hauptwache Centre for a time.
Another pre-renovation photo here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/392159089/
Glad to see this cinema has survived!
In 1986 as the Kino Center:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/392159088/
I believe that the Jason Donovan video of “Any Dream Will Do” was filmed in the Westminster Theatre.
A two year reprieve has been announced securing the theatres future through to the Autumn of 2012. In the meantime options of restoring and retaining the theatre by a Trust are to be prepared.
View link
Interior shot of stage boxes and circle here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5067272876/
A shot of the Prince of Wales Theatre, next to the Philharmonic Hall, here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5066661745/
An exterior shot of the Philharmonic Hall here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5066661745/
A shot of the Albert Hall in 1989:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5067272462/
Detail of façade:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5066662215/