Riviera 4 Theatre
714 4th Street,
Sioux City,
IA
51101
714 4th Street,
Sioux City,
IA
51101
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Carmike Cinemas, Dubinsky Brothers, Excellence Theatres, Tri-State Theaters
Firms: DeWild, Grant & Rickert
Previous Names: Riviera I & II Theatre, Carmike Riviera 2
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Feb 19, 2004 — Sioux City Riviera Twin to Reopen
Opened by Cinema Treasures contributor, Mike Geater, on September 24, 1971 with Tom Laughlin in “Billy Jack” & John Pillip Law in “The Love Machine”. The Riviera I & II Theatre was a classic 1970’s palace that emulated the look and functionality of the Plazas that were built elsewhere in Iowa.
One screen had 660-seats, the other screen 440-seats. It also featured something new for TriStates Theatres when it opened: two-projector automation with xenon lamps. It was taken over by the Dubinsky Brothers. On December 1, 1988 it was taken over by Excellence Theatres. Excellence Theatres and Carmike Cinemas joined together in 1991. Carmike closed the Riviera 2 on January 7, 1999
It was taken over by an independent operator, Erik Hilsabeck, and the theatre was showing second run movies and was equipped with digital projection. A third screen was later added and by January 2010 a fourth screen had been added. It was closed on July 2, 2016.
It was converted into a nightclub, operated on two occasions by two different operators. They closed and the building stood vacant. It has been converted into several business units.
Contributed by
Mike Geater
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Recent comments (view all 20 comments)
Eric Hilsabeck is the embodiment of Goodness and Beauty. My sister named her first born son after him in honor of his humanity to man. Also I went to college with him so I might be a little biased.
the Riviera Theatre was designed by the architectural firm of DeWild, Grant & Rickert (DGR).
I remember seeing several movies here growing up. I saw Empire Strikes Back when it first came out in May,1980 here,as well as the Blue Brothers,Blue Thunder and several others. I also remember going to the Cameo Theatre in Sioux City,which isn’t on this site (It had a light up “cameo” sign on the front,and was a double screen theatre as well ,it was across for JCPenny to the west.)
This theater is now a 4 screen, all digital 2nd run theater. The two large theaters were divided in half and the lobby and restrooms were remodeled.
Just realized one nice thing about digital projection: no splices, scratches, or other flaws.
The riviera closed a week ago.
This opened on September 24th, 1971. Grand opening ad in the photo section and below
Found on Newspapers.com
It was just announced the Riviera will become the home of several businesses. After 50 years, about 40 as a movie theater, a few years as 2 different night clubs and a few years vacant, the Riviera will be gone for good. There will be a small theater to rent, but no more 50, or in later years 40 foot screens.
Closed by Carmike on January 7th, 1999.
Riviera theatre closed 09 Jan 1999, Sat The Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, Iowa) Newspapers.com
Taken over by Excellence Theatres effective December 1, 1988 after buying out Dubinksy Bros. In 1991, Carmike and Excellence created a joint operating agreement in February and, that same year, essentially buying out the Excellence side by September. This moved the venue to Carmike ownership as the Carmike Riviera 2 Theatre.
Carmike closed 28 theatres in early January 1999 including the 1,031 seat Carmike Riveria Theatre on January 7, 1999. The twin turned triplex and quad playing second-run, discount films as an independent by Eric Hilsabeck before closing in debt in July of 2016.