When walking through Chronicle building hallways in the 1970’s there were places with steps to accommodate the floor elevation changes at the points where the various buildings connected.
The first Majestic in Houston opened in 1905 on Congress Ave. That location was closed when the Majestic on Texas Ave opened, in 1911. In 1923, the Majestic on Rusk opened and the Texas Avenue Majestic was renamed the Palace. All three Majestics were operated by Karl Hoblitzelle’s Interstate Theatres.
The second Houston Majestic sat mid-block on Texas Avenue just west of the Chronicle Building. Financed by Jesse Jones, it opened on February 21, 1910.
In 1923, after the Majestic on Rusk opened, it was renamed “The Palace” and became home to “The Palace Players”, a “stock” theatre company (group of actors) performing stage plays.
The first Majestic (in 1905) was at 1306 Congress.
This theatre is generally believed to be architect John Eberson’s first “Atmospheric” theatre. The atmospheric design fostered the illusion that the patron was seated in an outdoor setting such as an Italian garden. Eberson went on to build many other “Atmospheric” theatres. What a shame that the first example of this style no longer exists.
When walking through Chronicle building hallways in the 1970’s there were places with steps to accommodate the floor elevation changes at the points where the various buildings connected.
The first Majestic in Houston opened in 1905 on Congress Ave. That location was closed when the Majestic on Texas Ave opened, in 1911. In 1923, the Majestic on Rusk opened and the Texas Avenue Majestic was renamed the Palace. All three Majestics were operated by Karl Hoblitzelle’s Interstate Theatres.
This may be a photo of the 1911 Majestic Theatre on Texas Avenue. I’m pretty sure it isn’t the 1923 Majestic on Rusk.
The second Houston Majestic sat mid-block on Texas Avenue just west of the Chronicle Building. Financed by Jesse Jones, it opened on February 21, 1910.
In 1923, after the Majestic on Rusk opened, it was renamed “The Palace” and became home to “The Palace Players”, a “stock” theatre company (group of actors) performing stage plays.
The first Majestic (in 1905) was at 1306 Congress.
Original spelling was “Bellaire” after the city of Bellaire, Texas.
This theatre is generally believed to be architect John Eberson’s first “Atmospheric” theatre. The atmospheric design fostered the illusion that the patron was seated in an outdoor setting such as an Italian garden. Eberson went on to build many other “Atmospheric” theatres. What a shame that the first example of this style no longer exists.
My grandfather began his career in the Houston theatre business in 1908 as treasurer of Houston’s first Majestic Theatre(on Congress Ave.)
During his 50-plus year career with Interstate, he managed the Majestic, the Kirby, and the Iris.