Westlake Theatre

Nice photos…..they really show that there is something here to save.

Not surprising. Looks like it will be a swap meet for a while.

Here is a photo taken today:
http://tinyurl.com/mk5sf7

Here is a 1982 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cq9gdy

Here is a 1983 view of the Westlake:
http://tinyurl.com/db2us5

Socal09, I am shocked by your comment! When I had the opportunity to visit the Westlake I was amazed at the condition of the interior of the building, the murals, the box office, facade, and rooftop neon. Consider the building empty, the vendors and temporary walls removed, those bright flood lights in the auditorium replaced by soft house lights. Regardless of one’s definition of “worthiness”, the Westlake gives no indication that it is not an ideal contender for restoration. If the fire riddled, rotted away by the elements for decades New Granada theatre in Pittsburgh can be slated for restoration, surely the Westlake “deserves” it.

Please do not read this passionate comment as aggressive, I simply did not expect a comment like yours in regard to a theatre with such life left in it as the Westlake.

This theatre is a dump. Not worthy of restoration.

Go to www.issuu.com and put boxoffice in the search engine.

Here is an item from Boxoffice magazine in January 1960:

LOS ANGELES-N.P. “Red” Jacobs, president of Favorite Films of California and operator of the local Lake Theater, has purchased the Westlake Theater and building at Alvarado and Wilshire. He assumed active operation as of December 30.

Jacobs acquired the Westlake from Fox West Coast Theaters. The circuit had operated the 1,900-seat fim house for many years.

Yes, this was a real theater, and I did work here.

Having visited the Westlake theater today, I can’t say there’s much left to save and the neighborhood is a nighmare. Who is going to come to this renovated theater in this poor Latino neighborhood? No one is going to park in this area at night, if you can even find parking. The concrete floor that was poured seems to have destroyed much of the decoration on the side walls of the theater below the small curved balconies shown in Neonrocks photo above. I can’t say I was too impressed by the decor that was left. It was rather garrish and cheap looking. I’m all for saving old theaters but this doesn’t seem like one worth concentrating a lot of effort on. I’d rather see the Pacific in Hollywood or the Tower, Roxie or Warner downtown restored. The Westlake might work as a Latin American Cultural/Community Center but not as a film venue.

Here is the LA Times story in the paper today:
http://tinyurl.com/5c5txr

I visited the Westlake Theater this past weekend and took a video of the interior. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyX8ZcBUDpA

Also, the CRA has come up with some redevelopment plans for the theater and its environs that are, well, rather hideous:

View link

I think we should start making some phone calls to LA City Council and the LA Conservancy. These plans do not match the other historic architecture of the area. What an eyesore this restoration might turn out to be!!

P.S.
I found a picture of the old neon lit up!:
View link

Also, here’s how the interior used to look when it was still intact:
View link