Florida Theatre
2018 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood,
FL
33020
2018 Hollywood Boulevard,
Hollywood,
FL
33020
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Yes, It Was Burned On January 14, 1964 With 2 Injuries To 2 Firefighters From The HFD. A Twin Theater Would Later Be Built In The City And Would Open A Year Later As The Same Name To This Theater.
The architect of the Florida Theatre was Roy A. Benjamin. The announcement that construction had begun appeared in Boxoffice, August 21, 1937. The house was being built for Sparks Theatres, already operating the 600-seat Ritz and the Hollywood Beach Theatre in Hollywood.
The Florida was already open by 1941 according to the Film daily Yearbook.
A correction to an old post I just read regarding the Hollywood Mall above (2004). The Hollywood Mall did in fact close years ago and reopened as a Target / Publix / shopping center. The Hollywood Fashion Center, another mall further west on Hollywood Blvd., also closed and subsequently reopened (partially) as a flea market type center.
The Florida Theatre address was 2018 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Florida.
I wonder who takes the credit for being the architect for this specially designed art deco theatre?
Nice to read that a parking lot is now where the Florida Theatre once stood and was enjoyed by so many theatre goers. Such a shame!
Okay, as promised here is the link to a December 30, 1957 picture of downtown Hollywood with the Florida Theatre marquee showing “April Love.” The title isn’t visible, but Pat Boone and Shirley Jones' names are. Enjoy!
View link
Though the link is temporarily down, the hollywoodfl.org website has some photographs of downtown Hollywood and two photos include pictures of The Florida Theatre’s marquee with “April Love” on one photo and “Some Came Running” on the other. I’ll try and post the direct link as soon as the site is working again.
Steven: When I read your “sister” post I thought I was about to read that the theatre at 30 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale was still open, but sadly you wrote……“It too was demolished….” :–(
By the way, I recall seeing this theatre’s “sister”, located on 30 East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. I saw the picture on a linen-era postcard from the 1940s. It too was demolished, though I’m not sure of the date. The two theatres were identical to one another.
Steven: I just looked at the 60’s demolition photos and just couldn’t believe my eyes…and all for another parking lot! :–(
The word ‘stylish’ is used in describing the Florida Theatre yet it was allowed to be demolished…go figure!
I see that it was destroyed in a fire…wonder if anyone knows that sad story?
Steven: Good for you…keep telling everybody who will listen that a wonderfl movie house was once there! That’s what we all need is another parking lot….. sure is much more cultural than a nice restored theatre! NOT! What politicans/city council member’s idea was that to ‘put in another parking lot’! The art deco facade of this former theatre was so beautiful and I’d love to see other vintage photos if anyone has them.
Patsy: Thanks for the kind words. It really is a shame that the building wasn’t saved, and I agree, it would be the jewel of downtown Hollywood if it were there today, especially with the improvements made to the area over the last decade.
I also wanted to mention that the spot where the Florida Theatre once stood is currently a metered parking lot wedged in between two buildings. It’s not a huge parking lot, as it can accommodate about fifteen vehicles. I make a habit of telling anyone I’m with that the parking lot used to be a wonderful movie house.
Steven W: Thanks for the Florida Theatre/Hollywood FL photos, but so sad that an art deco theatre such as that one in ‘art deco-land’ would be gone today…i.e. the art deco section on Collins Avenue in nearby Miami Beach. It would blend right in if it were around today!
The Florida Theatre in Hollywood, Florida was destroyed in a fire in late January 1964. Go here to see photos of it being torn down.
Is the mall theatre listed in here, I dont see it?
The theater does not exist. Hollywood mall closed many years agoa nd was just reopened as a flea market type mall.
The original Florida Theatre on Hollywood Blvd in downtown Hollywood, Florida burned to the ground in 1963 or 1964. A theatre of the same name was subsequently built in the Hollywood Mall. I have no information on whether or not that theatre exists today.
The Florida Theatre seated 805 people.