A correction to two posts ago: the Upper James Cineplex Odeon no longer exists. It was replaced by Silvercity Hamilton on the East Mountain at Heritage Green in December. The fate of the Upper James Cinema is still up in the air.
The Jackson Square 6 seems to do just fine. Every night that I take a stroll through the mall, theres always a giant line to purchase tickets. I’m sure it’s at least breaking even. It’s been a long time since I watched a movie there though. I guess I’m just too pampered with the stadium seating and such at Silvercity.
There’s a rumor that the owner of the Century has applied for all the necessary permits to turn the Century into residential units. This is all I know for now, will pass along more info as I find it.
The risk isn’t so much being caught, but rather of personal injury once you get in. The wooden floors near the entrance are rotted through and you’re likely to fall through (as I have done before). Anyway look in the back by the fence, that’s all I can say. I’d suggest going in the day so you get the most ambient light.
Anyway if you get in, be VERY careful and make sure to walk on the supports where possible. Take it slowly and listen to the floor. Take a cell phone as well.
I have ascended that ladder up into the space above the 1940’s cinema. You get a view of the collapsed roof which fell on what is left of the balcony. It’s worth the scary climb.
The parts of the building that are in worst condition are the front and rear offices. In both areas, the floors have completely rotted right through. The floors of the 2nd floor on top of the lobby are completely collapsed through now (no ceiling to the lobby any more).
Brian, I wasn’t able to find your e-mail on here. If you’d like to contact me at sugarton at gmail.com feel free to do so.
Here is a photo I took in the area behind the stage today. It was my first time going back into Lyric for awhile. The place is even more of a death trap than it was before, but I still love it.
It does. It’s just too far gone to be saved. I think, even at the time of closure the building wasn’t doing all that great. Lots of repairs would have had to be made right then to preserve it.
The roof has been caved in for many years now. Probably only 5-10 years after it was abandoned.
Thank you very much for posting all that information, Skye. I wish I could see what the theatre looked like before it closed. See what you had seen so many times. I’ve explored the theatre many times myself since 2005, many of those times with Bryan and Mike who also posted pictures and information here. The theatre holds a special place with me as well, and I’ve only seen it in it’s depressing form.
With all that said, the building is nearly a death trap now. The front office area is completely unsafe to traverse. The wooden floors are rotted right through. Both my feet fell through the floor, and I was saved by a support beam that I fell onto. Bryan was unlucky enough to completely fall right through the front offices, to the floor below. If you do go into the theatre, BE CAREFUL.
I was fortunate enough to enter the theatre (or what’s left of it) last night and tonight. It is absolutely beautiful. One of the most beautiful structures I’ve ever gotten into. The main theatre area isn’t in bad condition, but the weather is starting to take it’s toll. The paint is starting to chip in places and there is some slight water damage, worsening in the basement. The basement is also severely moldy. The actual structure of what is left is most likely fine. It’s going to cost a LOT to restore this place though.
There is construction going on in the theatre. It seems as if its being restored to theatre operations (I hope!) but I only get this impression because there are not fake ceilings being put in. I don’t actually know.
When I find out whats going on, I’ll let you all know.
Yes, its true. Famous Players sold it off. I was there two nights ago to watch Ultraviolet. I noticed the condition of the theater I was in (#2) was pretty bad. The plaster on the ceiling is starting to deteriorate.
Downtown Hamilton needs two things regarding theatres:
A rather large, “silvercity” type of theatre right in Jackson Square, replacing the existing one. This could only be achieved after the downtown is revitalized as it would require a very large amount of nightly visitors to make any profit. Much more than the current theatre is seeing.
Classic theatres (Tivoli and Century) need to be brought back. Tivoloi serving as a playhouse with the Century doing 2nd run movies.
We’re getting close. 14 new downtown projects were just announced to be funded, right in the core. If we can get the Lister Block back in the game, things are going to get a lot better downtown.
A correction to two posts ago: the Upper James Cineplex Odeon no longer exists. It was replaced by Silvercity Hamilton on the East Mountain at Heritage Green in December. The fate of the Upper James Cinema is still up in the air.
The Jackson Square 6 seems to do just fine. Every night that I take a stroll through the mall, theres always a giant line to purchase tickets. I’m sure it’s at least breaking even. It’s been a long time since I watched a movie there though. I guess I’m just too pampered with the stadium seating and such at Silvercity.
Lyric and Tivoli still sit as they always have…
There’s a rumor that the owner of the Century has applied for all the necessary permits to turn the Century into residential units. This is all I know for now, will pass along more info as I find it.
That was a bit chilling to read. I’ll be thinking about that next time I’m standing backstage.
The risk isn’t so much being caught, but rather of personal injury once you get in. The wooden floors near the entrance are rotted through and you’re likely to fall through (as I have done before). Anyway look in the back by the fence, that’s all I can say. I’d suggest going in the day so you get the most ambient light.
Anyway if you get in, be VERY careful and make sure to walk on the supports where possible. Take it slowly and listen to the floor. Take a cell phone as well.
I have ascended that ladder up into the space above the 1940’s cinema. You get a view of the collapsed roof which fell on what is left of the balcony. It’s worth the scary climb.
The parts of the building that are in worst condition are the front and rear offices. In both areas, the floors have completely rotted right through. The floors of the 2nd floor on top of the lobby are completely collapsed through now (no ceiling to the lobby any more).
Brian, I wasn’t able to find your e-mail on here. If you’d like to contact me at sugarton at gmail.com feel free to do so.
Here is a photo I took in the area behind the stage today. It was my first time going back into Lyric for awhile. The place is even more of a death trap than it was before, but I still love it.
View link
The history in this place is so rich. I wish I could have seen the place 20 years ago.
It does. It’s just too far gone to be saved. I think, even at the time of closure the building wasn’t doing all that great. Lots of repairs would have had to be made right then to preserve it.
The roof has been caved in for many years now. Probably only 5-10 years after it was abandoned.
Oh, and here’s a picture I took this past week of the Century. Still the same as always…
View link
Thank you very much for posting all that information, Skye. I wish I could see what the theatre looked like before it closed. See what you had seen so many times. I’ve explored the theatre many times myself since 2005, many of those times with Bryan and Mike who also posted pictures and information here. The theatre holds a special place with me as well, and I’ve only seen it in it’s depressing form.
With all that said, the building is nearly a death trap now. The front office area is completely unsafe to traverse. The wooden floors are rotted right through. Both my feet fell through the floor, and I was saved by a support beam that I fell onto. Bryan was unlucky enough to completely fall right through the front offices, to the floor below. If you do go into the theatre, BE CAREFUL.
I was fortunate enough to enter the theatre (or what’s left of it) last night and tonight. It is absolutely beautiful. One of the most beautiful structures I’ve ever gotten into. The main theatre area isn’t in bad condition, but the weather is starting to take it’s toll. The paint is starting to chip in places and there is some slight water damage, worsening in the basement. The basement is also severely moldy. The actual structure of what is left is most likely fine. It’s going to cost a LOT to restore this place though.
With all that said she is still beautiful.
There is construction going on in the theatre. It seems as if its being restored to theatre operations (I hope!) but I only get this impression because there are not fake ceilings being put in. I don’t actually know.
When I find out whats going on, I’ll let you all know.
Yes, its true. Famous Players sold it off. I was there two nights ago to watch Ultraviolet. I noticed the condition of the theater I was in (#2) was pretty bad. The plaster on the ceiling is starting to deteriorate.
Downtown Hamilton needs two things regarding theatres:
A rather large, “silvercity” type of theatre right in Jackson Square, replacing the existing one. This could only be achieved after the downtown is revitalized as it would require a very large amount of nightly visitors to make any profit. Much more than the current theatre is seeing.
Classic theatres (Tivoli and Century) need to be brought back. Tivoloi serving as a playhouse with the Century doing 2nd run movies.
We’re getting close. 14 new downtown projects were just announced to be funded, right in the core. If we can get the Lister Block back in the game, things are going to get a lot better downtown.