Loew's Jersey Theatre

54 Journal Square,
Jersey City, NJ 07306

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Related Websites

Friends of the Loew's, Inc. (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Loew's Inc.

Architects: George W. Leslie Rapp

Firms: Rapp & Rapp

Styles: Baroque, Italian Renaissance

Previous Names: Loew's Jersey City Theatre, Loew's Jersey City 1-3

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 201.798.6055

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News About This Theater

Loew's Jersey Theatre exterior

The Loew’s Jersey Theatre was the 4th of five Loew’s ‘Wonder Theatres’ to open in the New York City area, opening just two weeks after the Loew’s Paradise Theatre, Bronx and the Loew’s Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, which had both opened on September 7, 1929. The Loew’s Jersey Theatre opened September 28, 1929 with Ruth Chatterton and Lewis Stone in “Madame X”. On stage were Ben Black and his Rhythm Kings plus “Cameos” direct from the Capitol Theatre, New York featuring Chester Hales Girls. In the orchestra pit were the Loew’s Symphony Orchestra and the mighty Robert Morton ‘Wonder’ organ which had 4 manuals and 23 ranks. Resident organist for many years was Ted Meyn. The building had cost $2 million to build and the wonderful Baroque style façade still boasts the mechanical clock of George & the Dragon, a companion piece to the one (now lost) on the top of the façade of Loew’s Paradise Theatre, Bronx.

The opulent Italian Renaissance style auditorium with its 50 foot wide proscenium is reached by passing through a dramatic three-storey lobby rotunda, supported by jade-green columns. In the music gallery above the entrance on the first floor, a grand piano was played to entertain waiting patrons. As was the case in all big movie palaces, the 35 foot deep x 82 foot wide stage was put to good use in the early years with artistes such as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, The Ritz Brothers, Jackie Coogan, Russ Columbo and His Band and many others appearing. The orchestra pit (which is on an elevator) was boarded over in 1949.

Later in January 1975, two additional screens, each seating 524, were placed in the orchestra seating area beneath the balcony, leaving the main screen in the balcony, with a seating capacity of 1,078. The Robert Morton ‘Wonder’ organ was removed at this time and now resides in the Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara, California. The Loew’s Jersey Theatre closed on Thursday August 21, 1986 with “Friday the 13th Part VI:Jason Lives”.

In April 1987 it was sold to a private company for demolition, but preservationists saved the theatre from becoming an office building and the theatre was purchased by the city in 1993. The Friends of the Loew’s had been formed and they embarked on an ongoing renovation/restoration project beginning in 1995. The wall dividing the rear orchestra seating into two screens was removed, and the theatre was re-opened to the public in 2001 (albeit in the beginning using only a fraction of the seating area in the orchestra level). Regular monthly screenings of classic and revival films began during fall, winter and spring, and as work by the dedicated team of volunteers has progressed over the years, the program expanded to also presenting occasional live performances and concerts.

The Garden State Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society acquired a ‘sister’ identical Robert Morton ‘Wonder’ organ that had been originally installed in the Loew’s Paradise Theatre, Bronx. After several years extensive work on the instrument, it was ready for its debut in its new home at the Loew’s Jersey Theatre in late-2007.

The Loew’s Jersey Theatre has become the centerpiece of the Journal Square renaissance, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It was closed at the end of 2021 for a full refurbishment/restoration to be completed by 2023. But, renovations only began in earnest in Fall of 2024, and now an expected reopening will be 2026.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 1,512 comments)

Robert Kratky
Robert Kratky on August 8, 2023 at 9:06 am

Hi Theatrefan,

Perhaps I’m just getting a bit cynical but it seems to me the Loews just can’t seem to get a break! First, quite a few years ago Jersey City seemed to be talking about tearing it down, then FOL stepped in. Now the building has been sitting dormant for (what is it,) two to three years? And finally the possibility of a “renovation” cost of 70 mil. being raised to nearly 100 mil.? (If I have my figures straight?). What really is the “bottom line” here? Politics? Greed? Apathy? Mis-information? (all of the above? I wonder if we’ll really know the “truth”?

JodarMovieFan
JodarMovieFan on August 8, 2023 at 9:38 am

After reading the article, it seems the venue will get remodeled at a much higher cost. To wait any longer would mean even higher construction costs in the future. The sooner things get done, the sooner they can reopen and entertain audiences again and make some $ and boost the local economy.

Robert Kratky
Robert Kratky on August 8, 2023 at 9:50 am

Very well-said, Jodar. I just hope Jersey City would be willing to “foot the bill”.

GDellaFa
GDellaFa on January 5, 2025 at 10:46 am

Renovation work started in earnest about three months ago. Photos and news are hard to come by, but the entire exterior is covered in scaffolding and the interior has been cleaned out. That’s all I know. They are still estimating next year to reopen.

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on January 5, 2025 at 4:08 pm

Is it still a community volunteer project, or is it now corporate or municipal?

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on January 7, 2025 at 6:38 am

According to an article linked above, it’s being renovated and run by Devils Arena Entertainment, the Newark-based operator of the Prudential Center, as a major concert and event venue. They have a deal with the city.

Robert Kratky
Robert Kratky on January 7, 2025 at 7:00 am

I just wonder how the Loews would deal with large numbers of cars coming into the Journal Square area if it is converted into concert venue ala Bergen PAC and MAYO Pac. Do the promoters think the PATH train garage could handle such large numbers?

GDellaFa
GDellaFa on January 25, 2025 at 4:39 pm

https://www.roi-nj.com/2024/12/12/lifestyle/how-restoration-of-historic-loews-jersey-theatre-will-reshape-journal-square-into-premier-arts-district/

Mike (saps)
Mike (saps) on January 25, 2025 at 7:19 pm

No mention in that restoration article about showing movies…

Bill Huelbig
Bill Huelbig on January 25, 2025 at 9:04 pm

The removable seats on the main floor remind me of the folding chairs in the lobby where the Friends of the Loew’s showed their first classic movie, “This Island Earth”.

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