Linda Lea Theatre

They have basically destroyed the theater except for the two side walls which are stripped down to the brick and part of the roof structure. I saw cement trucks backed into the rear on Saturday, so I assume they are pouring a new floor or something. Somebody need to define ‘demolition’, ‘remodel’, and ‘restoration’ to these people.

There has been some construction progress. New red iron is being welded. I didn’t have my camera with me to capture the progress. Maybe I’ll get out my camera, take a picture and post a link to it here as soon as I can get motivated enough to do it.

It’s a very small theater so maybe it could be done in three months if they keep moving.

They say it should be completed by late summer, that’s like 3 months away. Postponed again? Who’s in charge of the new place? That Orange County Developer or ImaginAsian? Hope the new dig has Wi-Fi installed.

Really not much left except the two outside walls and a couple of metal trusses along the roofline.

I believe they are doing this to keep this project within the realm of a “renovation” rather than “new construction.” I don’t know why, is it zoning regs? To get tax breaks? Couldn’t tell you, I’d just be guessing.

Not much action as far as new building yet. Just the tearing down so far. Where’s the old marquee? I wanted it for my rec room!

any recent pics?

I wonder what became of the black metalwork around the facade that was uncovered in the early stages of the demolition, as seen in the photo linked by FPCInc on February 20th? When they didn’t save the Japanese style facade from the post-WWII remodeling, I expected they might at least preserve what was apparently the original 1924 decoration from the Civic Theatre.

I will be down there tomorrow – I’m curious to see what they’ve done.

You beat me to it, vokobab! But I agree with you, it sounds like the theatre has been demolished and they will build on the site.

Gone like the wind, according the LA Times. I guess replacement would be a better word than renovation. I will take a look the next time I’m downtown, but I think the Linda Lea is a memory.

Great news.

Here are two photos from January 2007:
http://tinyurl.com/yja6b5
http://tinyurl.com/ykkvln

Any news on this rennovation? We are now in Fall 2006 and the Linda Lea still looks as dilapidated and forgotten as it did when I was thinking “someone should turn this into something” back when I walked by a few years ago.

I hope they keep that wonderful signage in front and maybe they can show Anime Movies as well as Asian Films. I hope they’ll offer Sapporo too.