That is the problem with downtown hamilton. In the seventies, downtown Hamilton was alive with theatres and one by one they closed with most of the being demolished into parking lots. The downtown is filled with boarded up building including Hamilton’s well known Lister Block. There is no reason to go downtown if you live up on the mountain. Also, it is not the safest place either.
The Pawn Shop just takes up the lobby of the theatre. The auditorium and balcony from what I remember reading in the Hamilton Spectator were being used for storage by the owner of the building. Next time that I am downtown I will stop and ask if the seats and screen are still there. The Odeon and Century theatres which are both within walking distance are both boarded up but still standing.
I just read Trever Clarke’s comment on the Odeon’s balcony. Was the number two theatre that was upstairs above the number one theatre. that is being referred to. Neither of the two theatres had a balcony that I can recall. Mark
Was driving down Ottawa Street today and noticed that the Avon sign is still on the building. The building is now being used as a flooring outlet. Mark
The Tivoli theatre made the top 10 list of the most endangered heritage properties in Canada which was is listed by Heritage Canada Founadion. The auditorium, which was saved by the wreaking ball was saved under the Heritage Act for six months while the front section was torn down. This protection lasted for six months and now unless someone can buy the theatre including the cost of demolishing the front section, Hamilton will say goodbye to the last working theatre still standing in Hamilton. The Century is still standing but it is very unlikly it will ever be a theatre again. mark
Hello again mjc. there is a theatre that was post by Chad Irish called the James Street theatre. It was located on the corner of James Street North and Cannon Street. Check out this site for your theatre. Mark
There is a picture of this theatre(Palace) with the Pantages sign on King Street at www.postcardsofhamilton.com Click on postcards,subject is theatres and then look for post card of King Street. Mark
There is a picture of this theare with the Pantages sign on King Street at www.postcardsofhamilton.com Click on postcards,subject is theatres and then look for post card of King Street. Mark
This theatre was located on Merrick street in downtown Hamilton. It was built in 1905. There is a side view of this theatre beside the Hotal Stoud( ALSO DEMOLISHED) AT www.postcardsofhamilton.com Mark
I will get more information when I get a chance. I will also send pictures of the Grand ( Grand Opera House, Hotel and Tivoli if I can get permision. Can you send me Enrights listing so i can compare it to my information. Thanks Mark
This theatre was called the LYRIC when it opened. Even today if you look at the top of the building you can read the words Lyric on the half round sign. Mark
The Century started of as a vaudville theatre in the late 1800. it was converted to a movie house when the false ceiling was installed hiding the balcony.. I am doing some reserch on this theatre to get the exact dates. I remember going to see The Towering Inferno in the 70’s and wondering what was above the ceiling since the building from the outside was so tall. I also recall there being drapes covering sections on either side of the theatre.. At the time I did not think to look behind them to see what was there. During the movie someone could be seen walking across the stage behind the screen . A small light was left on which could be seen through the screen while the novie was playing. mark
Hello again mjc a bit more reserch. this theatre may have been called the Downtown when you were at it in 1961 before it was torn down. As stated in my comments in Chad I. POSTING ON THE Granada, it started of as the Grand Opera House in 1880. The name was changed in 1935 to the Granda and then to the downtown in 1954. The picture in the book is in the early 1900 because of the cars. Mark
I found a picture in the book Hamilton “ THE HEART OF IT ALL”. It shows the north east corner of James Street north and York . In order from left to right is the GRAND OPERA HOTEL, THE GRAND ( sorry not the Granda as previously stated ) and the TIVOLI. It lists it as a 1200 seat theatre and that it was demolished in late 1961. There is a tall dark building a short distance from this corner which was called the Century. ( see Century posted by Chad I. I will check with the library for more information. Mark
The only other large theatre theatre that I know of that was located on James Street North was the Grand Opera House ( renamed Granada as posted by Chad I.) It was located next to the Tivoli at 102, and the Tivoli was 108. It was demolished in late 1961. Is this the theatre you were thinking off? The other large theatres ( with stages ) were the Palace and Capital located on King street ( both demolished ) and the Century on Mary Street ( closed but still standing. ). Mark .
The Granada theatre opened in 1880 as the Grand Opera House in 1880 with 1200 seats. When a screen was added the name was changed to the Grand theatre. in 1935, the name was change to the Granada and again changed in 1954 to the Downtown. in 1961, it was torn down. The grand piano was saved and is now on display at Hamilton Place. The Tivoli theatre (Posted by Chad I.) was and still is located next door at 108 James Street North in Hamilton and the Granad was 102 James Street North.
The Princess theatre was not located next to the Tivoli but is was used as the lobby for the Tivoli located at 108 James Steet North in Hamilton. The theatre that was next to the Tivoli was the Grand Opera House.( see Granada theatre posted by Chad I.
Years from now, the City of Hamilton will regret that it did not stand up and save the last theatre of it’s kind in Hamilton. I was fortunate to see a movie at either the Palace or Capital before they were both torn down in 1972 and the city again did not save one of these because it had Hamilton Place in the works. These two theatres would match any theatre that the City of Toronto has. Mark
What is left of the front portion of the Tivoli theatre is set to be demolished november 4. there is nothing left of any historic value . The former Princess theatre and main auditorium portion will not be touched. New owners are still be looked for. Utilities are also to be reconected to the remaining two sections.
The Palace theatre was located on King street a short distance down the street from the Capital theatre. It had over 3400 seats not 2220. it opened in 1921 under the name Pantages. It was renamed the Palace in 1930. It was demolished in 1972 the same year as the Capital. It is a shame that Hamilton did not keep one of these two theatres.
180 Days. A permit to demolish what is left of the Tivoli theatre (The lobby which was the original Princess theatre and the auditorium) is expected to be denied to the Sniderman family. This gives any groups interested in saving the last theare of it’s kind in Hamilton some time to buy the theatre. A new entrance would have to be build since the front portion was demolished as was stated in my previous comments. Let’s hope this happens.
Has anyone heard any new of what is going on with what is left of the Tivoli(Auditorium)?
That is the problem with downtown hamilton. In the seventies, downtown Hamilton was alive with theatres and one by one they closed with most of the being demolished into parking lots. The downtown is filled with boarded up building including Hamilton’s well known Lister Block. There is no reason to go downtown if you live up on the mountain. Also, it is not the safest place either.
The Pawn Shop just takes up the lobby of the theatre. The auditorium and balcony from what I remember reading in the Hamilton Spectator were being used for storage by the owner of the building. Next time that I am downtown I will stop and ask if the seats and screen are still there. The Odeon and Century theatres which are both within walking distance are both boarded up but still standing.
I just read Trever Clarke’s comment on the Odeon’s balcony. Was the number two theatre that was upstairs above the number one theatre. that is being referred to. Neither of the two theatres had a balcony that I can recall. Mark
Was driving down Ottawa Street today and noticed that the Avon sign is still on the building. The building is now being used as a flooring outlet. Mark
The Tivoli theatre made the top 10 list of the most endangered heritage properties in Canada which was is listed by Heritage Canada Founadion. The auditorium, which was saved by the wreaking ball was saved under the Heritage Act for six months while the front section was torn down. This protection lasted for six months and now unless someone can buy the theatre including the cost of demolishing the front section, Hamilton will say goodbye to the last working theatre still standing in Hamilton. The Century is still standing but it is very unlikly it will ever be a theatre again. mark
Hello again mjc. there is a theatre that was post by Chad Irish called the James Street theatre. It was located on the corner of James Street North and Cannon Street. Check out this site for your theatre. Mark
There is a picture of this theatre(Palace) with the Pantages sign on King Street at www.postcardsofhamilton.com Click on postcards,subject is theatres and then look for post card of King Street. Mark
There is a picture of this theare with the Pantages sign on King Street at www.postcardsofhamilton.com Click on postcards,subject is theatres and then look for post card of King Street. Mark
NOTE. When going to the above site. click on postcards and then key in subject, “theatres” mark
This theatre was located on Merrick street in downtown Hamilton. It was built in 1905. There is a side view of this theatre beside the Hotal Stoud( ALSO DEMOLISHED) AT www.postcardsofhamilton.com Mark
I will get more information when I get a chance. I will also send pictures of the Grand ( Grand Opera House, Hotel and Tivoli if I can get permision. Can you send me Enrights listing so i can compare it to my information. Thanks Mark
This theatre was called the LYRIC when it opened. Even today if you look at the top of the building you can read the words Lyric on the half round sign. Mark
The Century started of as a vaudville theatre in the late 1800. it was converted to a movie house when the false ceiling was installed hiding the balcony.. I am doing some reserch on this theatre to get the exact dates. I remember going to see The Towering Inferno in the 70’s and wondering what was above the ceiling since the building from the outside was so tall. I also recall there being drapes covering sections on either side of the theatre.. At the time I did not think to look behind them to see what was there. During the movie someone could be seen walking across the stage behind the screen . A small light was left on which could be seen through the screen while the novie was playing. mark
Hello again mjc a bit more reserch. this theatre may have been called the Downtown when you were at it in 1961 before it was torn down. As stated in my comments in Chad I. POSTING ON THE Granada, it started of as the Grand Opera House in 1880. The name was changed in 1935 to the Granda and then to the downtown in 1954. The picture in the book is in the early 1900 because of the cars. Mark
I found a picture in the book Hamilton “ THE HEART OF IT ALL”. It shows the north east corner of James Street north and York . In order from left to right is the GRAND OPERA HOTEL, THE GRAND ( sorry not the Granda as previously stated ) and the TIVOLI. It lists it as a 1200 seat theatre and that it was demolished in late 1961. There is a tall dark building a short distance from this corner which was called the Century. ( see Century posted by Chad I. I will check with the library for more information. Mark
The only other large theatre theatre that I know of that was located on James Street North was the Grand Opera House ( renamed Granada as posted by Chad I.) It was located next to the Tivoli at 102, and the Tivoli was 108. It was demolished in late 1961. Is this the theatre you were thinking off? The other large theatres ( with stages ) were the Palace and Capital located on King street ( both demolished ) and the Century on Mary Street ( closed but still standing. ). Mark .
The Granada theatre opened in 1880 as the Grand Opera House in 1880 with 1200 seats. When a screen was added the name was changed to the Grand theatre. in 1935, the name was change to the Granada and again changed in 1954 to the Downtown. in 1961, it was torn down. The grand piano was saved and is now on display at Hamilton Place. The Tivoli theatre (Posted by Chad I.) was and still is located next door at 108 James Street North in Hamilton and the Granad was 102 James Street North.
The Princess theatre was not located next to the Tivoli but is was used as the lobby for the Tivoli located at 108 James Steet North in Hamilton. The theatre that was next to the Tivoli was the Grand Opera House.( see Granada theatre posted by Chad I.
Years from now, the City of Hamilton will regret that it did not stand up and save the last theatre of it’s kind in Hamilton. I was fortunate to see a movie at either the Palace or Capital before they were both torn down in 1972 and the city again did not save one of these because it had Hamilton Place in the works. These two theatres would match any theatre that the City of Toronto has. Mark
wHAT IS LEFT OF THE FRONT PORTION
What is left of the front portion of the Tivoli theatre is set to be demolished november 4. there is nothing left of any historic value . The former Princess theatre and main auditorium portion will not be touched. New owners are still be looked for. Utilities are also to be reconected to the remaining two sections.
The Palace theatre was located on King street a short distance down the street from the Capital theatre. It had over 3400 seats not 2220. it opened in 1921 under the name Pantages. It was renamed the Palace in 1930. It was demolished in 1972 the same year as the Capital. It is a shame that Hamilton did not keep one of these two theatres.
Does anyone have any pictutes of the inside of this theatre before it was changed into a movie theatre and the false ceiling installed?.
You are correct Warren. I am not sure how to submit information to change this site and to change the status from open to closed. Mark
180 Days. A permit to demolish what is left of the Tivoli theatre (The lobby which was the original Princess theatre and the auditorium) is expected to be denied to the Sniderman family. This gives any groups interested in saving the last theare of it’s kind in Hamilton some time to buy the theatre. A new entrance would have to be build since the front portion was demolished as was stated in my previous comments. Let’s hope this happens.