Diamond Theatre
2119-2123 Germantown Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19122
2119-2123 Germantown Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19122
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Architects: David Supowitz
Styles: Art Deco, Neo-Classical
Previous Names: Cohooksink Amusement Parlor, Cohooksink Theatre,Teatro Puerto Rico
Nearby Theaters
This theatre opened as the Cohooksink Amusement Parlor, becoming the Cohooksink Theatre in 1920 and had 620-seats. It was renamed Diamond Theatre on February 15, 1923 and had 927-seats. It was equipped with a U.S. organ. It was remodeled in 1928 and the U.S. organ was replaced by a Kimball organ.. It was remodeled again in 1937 to the plans of David Supowitz. The Diamond Theatre was closed in the 1950’s.
Later it reopened as a Spanish-language movie house called the Teatro Puerto Rico in the 1960’s, but returned to mainstream movies later, though retaining the Puerto Rico name.
In 2025 funding and donations were bring sought to assist in reopening the theatre.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft, Tony
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
I believe this building was originally called the Diamond Theater. The actual address was on Germantown Avenue, a diagonal street that passes very close to the 6th & Diamond intersection. In the ‘80s this theater would occasionally show up in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s neighborhood movie listings; by then the films were typical Hollywood releases but the theater was still called the Puerto Rico.
Here is a 1967 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/38cj4a
Here is a contemporary view. The building is still standing but is not in use:
http://tinyurl.com/qmowk4
Here is an undated photo from the Irvin Glazer collection:
http://tinyurl.com/yakgkkb
Would anyone be able to share when this theater closed? After its closure, a Puerto Rican congregation used the space for religious services. Today, the building appears vacant. “FOR SALE” is scribbled on the façade.
Riot on July 27th, 1937.
https://philly.newspapers.com/clip/6933981/diamond_theatre_riot/
Obsessed with this building. Hoping to get it nominated
This building has been historically preserved, and has been acquired by local Puerto Rican nonprofit APM, to be rehabbed and restored!!!
APM has a website featuring historical images of the venue, as well as a theatre history which might help bump up the above.
They are in need of donations for renovations to Teatro Puerto Rico.
https://apmphila.org/get-involved/teatro-puerto-rico/
Hoping this historic venue reopens soon, helping the development of the neighborhood.