The Dresden Theatre, now the Gazette Building on the south side of Washington Street, opened on August 8, 1935 with a seating capacity of 450. It closed in the mid 1960’s with the building remodeled for retail use.
Still closed as of April 19, 2016. The building was purchased in late 2015 with the intent of making it into a live performance venue but no word since as to what, if anything, has been done to the theatre.
Was at the Crest this evening and could find no indication of any major alteration to the design of the main auditorium. There are two smaller screens situated behind the original one, but their seating configuration is completely different suggesting they were later added on rather than divided from the original. The main auditorium appears to be pretty much intact. The venue as a whole could use some sprucing up, but the staff as well as the presentation in each screening room.
I had heard that the city was considering purchasing the theatre as part of the Lincoln District revitalization project. Question is how redeemable is the property? It appears boarded up and in not very good shape. It seems like that it would be an ideal spot for presenting art and foreign film.
Really wish they would dispense with the curtains on the wall as well as the drop ceiling. Here are photos of the auditorium when it was a single screen venue.
Any idea as to when the wider screen was added? The original, which is still partially visible behind the existing screen, appears to be curved rather than flat.
The building is now home to the Pan Andreas West Theatre Studios. The 23,000 square foot facility consist of 5 studio sound stages with 3 levels, several dressing rooms,and make-up and wardrobe rooms.
Whoever was responsible for the re-purposing of this building insured that nothing was left to indicate that this ever was a theater; the interior was completely gutted and all the exterior trappings as well leaving a rather bland, brick, building.
Was this equipped with stadium seating? It looks like it could have been a fairly decent venue. Wonder if it would have fared better if it had been in a location which greater street visibility? Are their any vintage GCC, circa 1965-1975, venues still around?
The address on this is 507 South 3rd Street, 98057 and the current seating capacity is around 300. This theatre opened some time in the 1920’s and was part of a Supreme Court case, RENTON v. PLAYTIME THEATRES, INC., (1986).
The building is in poor, but salvageable condition. It appears that that every effort was made to strip it of its original design in order to give it the appearance of a bland, multi-use facility. Pity. It seem to have adequate room and design to be used for live performance. Still it is drag to see it in such deplorable shape.
Was in the area today and made a photo of what exist of this once fine work of architecture. Regretfully little or nothing remains. The building is vacant and the area in which it resides leaves much to be desired.
I was just by the State the other day and the exterior is quite impressive! How was the theatre configured for the triplex-enclosed, split balcony with the main floor intact? Does any of the original interior ornamentation remain or was the interior gutted for the conversion to live performance? Something tells me the renovations were massive in that the seating went from 1000 to 212.
The actual address of the former Indiana Theatre is 30 South Main Street. According to the building marker, the Indiana was only in operation between 1930 and 1948. What ever existed of the theater’s interior is long gone.
A rare jewel nestled in the rural countryside of Indiana and well worth the journey to visit. Although it well supported by the local community, a tidy sum is currently needed to insure that it remains operational. Donations can be made at the Ohio Theater website.
The Dresden Theatre, now the Gazette Building on the south side of Washington Street, opened on August 8, 1935 with a seating capacity of 450. It closed in the mid 1960’s with the building remodeled for retail use.
Still closed as of April 19, 2016. The building was purchased in late 2015 with the intent of making it into a live performance venue but no word since as to what, if anything, has been done to the theatre.
Was at the Crest this evening and could find no indication of any major alteration to the design of the main auditorium. There are two smaller screens situated behind the original one, but their seating configuration is completely different suggesting they were later added on rather than divided from the original. The main auditorium appears to be pretty much intact. The venue as a whole could use some sprucing up, but the staff as well as the presentation in each screening room.
I had heard that the city was considering purchasing the theatre as part of the Lincoln District revitalization project. Question is how redeemable is the property? It appears boarded up and in not very good shape. It seems like that it would be an ideal spot for presenting art and foreign film.
Nice but not ornate which I always associated with Loews. It looks like a AMC. All one level and spread out in two building.
Here is an article detailing the redesign of the cinema.
Is this theatre still equipped with 70 mm projection?
Nothing really architecturally significant about this multiplex, but it is quiet clean and has great projection and sound.
Really wish they would dispense with the curtains on the wall as well as the drop ceiling. Here are photos of the auditorium when it was a single screen venue.
Watch for reopening under a new name and format in November 2015: The Savannah Taphouse (http://savannahtaphouse.com/)
Only some of the original remains. The interior has been gutted and the marquee removed. It is now just retail space.
Thanks! Would really love to see some pictures of the auditorium in its original state. The Box Office link is no longer functional.
Any idea as to when the wider screen was added? The original, which is still partially visible behind the existing screen, appears to be curved rather than flat.
The building is now home to the Pan Andreas West Theatre Studios. The 23,000 square foot facility consist of 5 studio sound stages with 3 levels, several dressing rooms,and make-up and wardrobe rooms.
Whoever was responsible for the re-purposing of this building insured that nothing was left to indicate that this ever was a theater; the interior was completely gutted and all the exterior trappings as well leaving a rather bland, brick, building.
Was this equipped with stadium seating? It looks like it could have been a fairly decent venue. Wonder if it would have fared better if it had been in a location which greater street visibility? Are their any vintage GCC, circa 1965-1975, venues still around?
The address on this is 507 South 3rd Street, 98057 and the current seating capacity is around 300. This theatre opened some time in the 1920’s and was part of a Supreme Court case, RENTON v. PLAYTIME THEATRES, INC., (1986).
The building is in poor, but salvageable condition. It appears that that every effort was made to strip it of its original design in order to give it the appearance of a bland, multi-use facility. Pity. It seem to have adequate room and design to be used for live performance. Still it is drag to see it in such deplorable shape.
Was in the area today and made a photo of what exist of this once fine work of architecture. Regretfully little or nothing remains. The building is vacant and the area in which it resides leaves much to be desired.
I was just by the State the other day and the exterior is quite impressive! How was the theatre configured for the triplex-enclosed, split balcony with the main floor intact? Does any of the original interior ornamentation remain or was the interior gutted for the conversion to live performance? Something tells me the renovations were massive in that the seating went from 1000 to 212.
The actual address of the former Indiana Theatre is 30 South Main Street. According to the building marker, the Indiana was only in operation between 1930 and 1948. What ever existed of the theater’s interior is long gone.
A rare jewel nestled in the rural countryside of Indiana and well worth the journey to visit. Although it well supported by the local community, a tidy sum is currently needed to insure that it remains operational. Donations can be made at the Ohio Theater website.
The actual opening date is 1948 and the website is Ashland Theatre
Does anyone have any interior shots? I am curious as to how much of the original design remains intact. It is a very large building even for a twin.
Does anything remain of the original auditorium or was it gutted when it was divided into four venues?