NuWilshire Theatre
1314 Wilshire Boulevard,
Santa Monica,
CA
90403
1314 Wilshire Boulevard,
Santa Monica,
CA
90403
26 people
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I just re-read the article from Jan. 18th. 2008 from the Santa Monica Daily Press about the NuWilshire. It looks like the only part of the building that is safe is the facade area on Wilshire Blvd.. I only say this because of the Mayfair’s facade is the only part of that theatre that is going tobe saved.
Then it sounds like you want the Santa Monica Historical Society. They have a space over on Euclid, but are supposed to move into the new library very soon.
I tried calling the Conservancy but they weren’t around. I guess I’ll have to call some time after the holidays now. But yeah, after going to the website, it looks as if they just focus mainly on property and things of that nature. I thought they had like a headquarters that showcased historical items that the public would be free to come see.
My older sisters and their friends went here when it was a first run single theatre in the 70’s to see The Who’s “Tommy” film. I went here with my dad to see a restored revival of “Once Upon A Time in America” in the early 90’s.
Ouch. I completely missed that. Sorry!
Since my shoe store/boot analogy went over so big, I’ll spare everyone anything about the watch repair guy running out of time.
Good luck with the Conservancy angle Nushboy. Maybe you could scan a few of the items & post them for the list, before parting with them.
The shoe repair guy relocated to Main St, I think he’s still in Santa Monica. The watch/jewelry repair guy moved over to Santa Monica Blvd, just two blocks away.
I’m contacting the Conservancy right now. Thanks for bringing it to my attention Don!
Yeah, I might just do that. Oh, and about the shoestore, it’s now in Venice. I believe the Venice Board Walk or somewhere on Main Street.
No, they cleared out the shoe repair and the watch repair guys within a few weeks of closing the theater. For some reason, there’s a big pile of dirt in the watch repair space.
David’s right, Nushboy, maybe you could give the Santa Monica Conservancy a shot at your theater materials.
Maybe some of those who attended/arranged the Landmark Commission meetings would be interested in your vintage items. Might help them scan some to put together a booklet or something about the Nu Wilshire. Especially if the facade gets saved. Best of luck in your efforts.
Is it too soon to say Buster’s Shoe Repair next door got the boot?
Yeah, unfortunetly you’re right. I guess it’s just a matter of time before the theater is no longer with us…I still have posters and old menus from the theatre. I’m thinking about getting rid of it, so if anyone would like to meet up with me, we can negotiate a price, or something.
Neat looking theatre. It’s a shame it’s ended up in the condition it is.
Years ago in Chicago, some owners deliberately did little to prevent the desecration of buildings they were interested in tearing down. It sometimes gave them an ironic upper hand in court, if any preservationists were seeking landmark status of “their” properties.
The subsequent graffiti and damage could bolster both arguments. Protect it before it’s damaged more. Or grossly remodel or tear down to prevent an “ongoing” eyesore. Like the owner would be “helping” the city out.
Sadly, some municipalities seemingly more often side with building owners than preservationists.
Because it is a faster route to increased tax revenues on “developing” properties.
New construction permit fees, business licenses of the ultimate new tenants, increased individual property taxes if something ends up as condos, etc.
Especially if everything around it in the neighborhood is simultaniously taking a dive too.
Nothing happens by coincidence when landmarking is thrown into the mix.
Apparently a friend of mine said that the guy in charge at the laundromat was shot one night and that’s why it closed. It’s hard to believe…
Yeah, and the old laundromat next door closed, and the Shoe Pavilion down the block closed… the neighborhood is starting to look pretty run down.
Well, the theatre is still sitting there. Just another eye sore of Santa Monica. You’d think they would at least start putting the jean store by now, but it’s been abandoned for officially a year now…It better become a City Landmark or something. Ughh…I can just imagine the city tearing it down. Damn economy…
Damn shame…
Yesterday I stopped by there, and there were these two signs on the gate saying how the walls covered in graffiti were a shame and that they were basically the work of illigal immigrants. It was very racist. When I went back, the signs were gone.
I never got a chance to call the owners. And even if I did, there wouldn’t really be anything I could do in terms of what was planned. And about the doors, good luck!
Buster’s Shoe Repair has relocated to Main Street. If you’re going from Pico it’s about five blocks in on the left (land side of street). Please give this long-standing shoe repair your business—they’ve always done a great job for me and have really struggled to stay in business despite the ouster.
I’m curious as to whether anyone (Nushboy?) has tried to write the owners at the address I listed. It’s not hopeless! Let them know you’ll get all your friends to boycott their stupid jeans store (and then follow through). If money talks, talk with your money!
I noticed that the interior doors (from concession area into screening area) are still inside. I don’t have the space for them right now, but I’m sure they’re going to get thrown away and they are really beautiful carved wood doors deserving of a good home. If you’re interested, talk to the construction crews while they’re at work and ask if they are going to throw away the doors and if you could take them instead. Worth a try!
Yeah! I’m sure he disagreed with the idea of it passing as a Landmark and is probably going to do as little as he can to help preserve it. Meanwhile, you know he is some ruthless person who doesn’t even live in Santa Monica. Probably Malibu or the Palisades.
Sad shots. But if the owner really wanted to keep that from happening, he would have had it boarded up with a wooden fence and doorway. That would protect the poster cases and the panel doors in front of the theatre. With the type of fence in place in the shots, more of that will happen, if not worse.
Here are a few pictures I took of the theatre.
This was last weekend:
View link
This I took today…
View link
Man…talk about an eyesore! :(
It was sad seeing them take down the seats. As a matter of fact, several co-workers and I stayed the night that it closed, and when we woke up everything was there. However, the next day, things were already empty before you could say “Nu” in NuWilshire. It all happened so fast. Greed…