Plaza Theatre
1018 Hidalgo Street,
Laredo,
TX
78040
1018 Hidalgo Street,
Laredo,
TX
78040
2 people
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1964 photo & copy added credit Nora Flores. “My aunt and several others waiting in line to see "A Hard Day’s Night” on opening day."
From 1961 a photo postcard image of the Plaza Theater in Laredo.
The figures we see on that site relate to estimates made in 2003, if we figure in inflation, I think 6 million dollars might not be enough. Not now not in the future. With things being the way they are at the moment, I think it will be very hard to aquire funds. What the site does not reveal either, is the fact that the theater was purchased using re-programed funds earmarked for South laredo projects. As always the rich slicking the poor. I say forget expanding the theater to live performances and leave it as a movie theater only. Much of the expense will go into purchasing adjacent properties to accomodate space needed for live theater. Now how many of you are dying to go downtown to see a live performace; when we have brand new facilties at both the community college and TAMIU.
Ahhh-sbestos. I completely forgot about that too. As I recall they used to lace it through the plaster back in the day. Covered by lead paint of course.
I always wondered how they preserved original plaster work, when asbestos was in it’s very fiber of being.
I’ve heard the term “encapsulate” used, but that was basically just covering the offending area up.
Not sure what they can do to remove it, and still keep any given plaster’s detail.
Maybe they could just coat it with some type of clear epoxy. That should work. Cough, cough.
You know Laredo, everyting is a rip-off. The theater was bought to benifit the few who think live theater will be attended by the masses. But it seems they ran into a little unforeseen problem by the name of asbestos. So where will the money come from to clean up the asbestos first; only the shadow knows. Seems the only winner here was United Artist who cleverly got rid of a dilapitated building in need of much repair.
Wow, 6 mil. I almost want to say they should seek a second opinion.
Sounds like an awfully high figure.
Seems like four of those things in the itemized breakdown should be included in the first figure.
a little old school with a modern touch…very nice1
I too am looking forward to the re-opening of the Nostalgic Plaza Theater. It is a beautiful building and I am glad that it has been considered to be restored and add more of our original architecture and history to the downtown area.
Athena, do you know when the Plaza Theater might open? I can’t wait for the grand opening its so exciting that the movie theater is coming back. I used to go alot to the Plaza Theater to go watch movies with my grandfather, and cousin’s when I was little child. The last movie I saw at the Plaza Theater was Top Dog, that was the movie that actor Chuck Norris comes out within the movie. I also like the way that they restored the Plaza Theater, moreover its good that they brought it back with a sense of style being that its up to date with time, and would also attract tourism back to Laredo’s Downtown area, that would be also good for business within the community.
Athena, it might look good, but it does not look authentic. The Plaza I remember did not have a computerized panel telling you the time of day. It might be contemporary but it is not historically correct.
For those of you who live in Laredo, please go by to see the Plaza Theater at night. The facade restoration is almost complete and the theater has been re-lit! It looks amazing at night.
Sorry reconstructed but the the Plaza in laredo was inaugurated New Years Day 1947, its first movie was “Renegade” it was a western movie whose lead character was a women gang leader.
Plaza Theate was inaugurated around 1947 with the movie “The of Laredo” starring Mona Freeman and McDonald Carey. Currently, facade, Marquee and front entrance is being reconstructed.
I am looking for old photos of the Plaza Theater in Laredo, TX. Please let me know if you happen to have any.
Many thanks!
When I was a teenager (80’s) my dad took me to The Plaza a few time to watch the latest releases. He knew the manager of the place and gave us a grand tour of the place since he had just refurbished it. I recall a very nice staircase to the upper screen, the huge projectors, burgundy floral carpeting everywhere and I believe a teal green paint on the walls. I recall looking up at the huge circular air conditioning ducts which kept the place very comfy. Much beyond that, I can not say. It was a huge building, but being in downtown Laredo, all the business had already moved north to the mall and what not. I believe it stayed open about 4-5 years at best. When I go visit my grandparents nowadays, I pass by the theater to reminese (sp?)… the doors are all boarded up, but the marquee is still there.
The Plaza Theatre seated 750 people.