Martini Theater
522 21st Street,
Galveston,
TX
77550
522 21st Street,
Galveston,
TX
77550
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Interstate Theatres Inc. & Texas Consolidated Theaters Inc.
Architects: W. Scott Dunne
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: New Martini Theater
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The Martini Theater occupies a corner in downtown Galveston. It replaced the Grand Opera House, which had been operating as the Martini Theastre(it has its own page on Cinema Treasures) It was opened May 27, 1937 and closed December 9, 1979. The building appears to be sound, but a once showy marquee is trashed. “MARTINI” is spelled out in large individual orange letters accross the top of the marquee. The name and signage do not fit the feel of the theater as if it has undergone a name change at some point.
Contributed by
Don Lewis
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Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
Just visited Galveston last weekend and this theater is in bad shape. It’s a shame. Postings above indicate that this theater may be demolished for a parking lot. If there is anything this town needs less of it is more parking lots. Galveston still has a fair number of historic structures. However, there a way too many vacant lots making it look kind of desolate. These lots need to be filled in by architecturally sympathetic structures. of course that takes money, and this being Texas, which doesn’t seem to like zoning, it will never happen. It’s too bad, because Galveston has the right bones for a thriving historic district. A theater is important to get people downtown. Here is an empty one in a prime location, but again, this being Texas, they’ll tear it down.
Several theaters have failed in Galveston, but if someone could turn the Martini around it would be a fantastic gift to the city. Plenty of street parking, and you could probably locate additional parking from some of the unused lots downtown. The area is fine, close to nightspots. Maybe beer/wine and food service ala the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin would turn a profit. Galveston values historic preservation very highly, but as stated,money is always an issue. The Galveston Historical Foundation relies heavily on private efforts. You should contact them for guidance, probably love to help. You could probably even find investors.
Sad photos of the MARTINI.
From Galveston a view of the Martini Theater.
Is there a update on it ???
snickstx I would like to chat with you some time .
As of June 2013 google street view, the theatre is still there – no changes.
Current Google street view is August 2018. The sidewalk and street surrounding the theater are both blocked off, presumably for safety of the marquee falling.
I was born in Galveston in 1951, & when I was a kid I went to movies at the Martini. I always had a good time.
This replaced an older Martini Theatre (formerly the Grand Opera House) which closed shortly before the new Martini Theatre opened.
Throughout the years, all theaters in Galveston (the Martini, State, Broadway, Queen, Tremont, Key, and the Oleander D-I) were operated under the Interstate Theatres chain.