Alameda Theatre
2317 Central Avenue,
Alameda,
CA
94501
2317 Central Avenue,
Alameda,
CA
94501
25 people
favorited this theater
Showing 101 - 122 of 122 comments
I would highly recommend to have the Alameda Theater restored and open for business as it would help to bring business to Alameda and to boost up the economy.
Lily L.
As long as they don’t plex it anymore than they already have, getting the true Alameda Theatre (and I only hesitate to say original because this is historicaly the “third” one) going again as a premier entertainment venue (movie house, performiing arts or whatever) should be the top priority.
To the comment about using the Alameda as a community theater— Alameda has a 2000+ seat community theater a block away from this one. It is called Kofman Auditorium and is where the Alameda Civic Light Opera resides in the summer. I don’t think another one is viable in this location.
I have been working to get this theater open since 1994 or thereabouts, when the 15 year non-competition clause expired. A few years ago, the city held an extensive workshop, public participation series of events on the whole Park Street business district, called the Park Street Visioning project. Through those workshops, it was found that among the participants, the renovation and reuse of the Alameda Theater AS A MOVIE HOUSE was the highest priority for revitalization of the entire district. Since that time, the city has put a lot of energy into finding someone to develop the theater. Their initial request for proposals generated exactly zero response, even though city help and some historic preservation tax credits are available. So they had to actively search high and low for a willing developer, and have been working and negotiating with the current one for about two years toward getting a viable project that would restore the theater. The project is in the “design review” process now. However, a certain group of johnny-come-lately “stop the multiplex” people are threatening to stop the whole project at this point. I don’t know if they realize that the alternative to the adjoining multiplex and parking garage is not a restoration of the Alameda Theater, but the status quo— no project, and the theater continuing to deteriorate under the current owner, who does not care about theaters and is satisfied to collect the rents from the current businesses while doing as little maintenance as possible.
A pity no one among the civic leaders apparently considered a community theater similar to the Berkeley Community Theatre. There are certainly groups and companies who could have utilized such a venue, adjacent multiplex or no.
>>Then I looked more closely and realized that the new theater was smothered next to the huge multiplex.>>
Oops make that, the old theater was smothered by the multiplex.
No kidding! I saw the illustration and nearly had a heart attack. It looked as though they demolished the theater. Then I looked more closely and realized that the new theater was smothered next to the huge multiplex. The old movie palace should definitely remain the focal point of that area. To our town’s dismay, it’s been shown that the powers that be are lacking in the visual aeshtetics department. We need designer on board!
Unfortunately, I think the city feels that revenue from a multiplex with leaseable store fronts is the only way that they can pay for such a project. I’m also a bit concerned with all the traffic and safety issues that come along with a multiplex. Anyway you look at it, it is a double edged sword.
I’m glad to know they are restoring the theatre; but judging from the illustration on the front page of the Alameda Journal, I think the two-story building will overpower the area around it. A big multiplex seems so unnececssary, and ruins the small-town atmosphere of Alameda (like the many chain establishments that are now on Park Street).
I read some great news in the Alameda Journal just the other day. The city just approved plans for rennovating the theater!! From what I gather, they are planning to restore the theater and then construct a 2 story multiplex adjacent to it. There are also plans for building a parking structure. Can’t wait!
By the looks of it, business on Park Street seems to be gaining momentum. New shops and restaurants seem to be popping up all over the place— there’s even a [gasp] Starbucks and a Peet’s coffee situated across the street from each other— big surprise. This factor in addition to the new huge housing development by the Webster tunnel will hopefully mean that restoration of the old theater will become a reality.
In 1994, my band used the projection room as a rehearsal space. Although we hated hauling our equipment up those steep metal outside stairs, it was worth it just to be there. The interior was somewhat shabby, but still beautiful. When it is restored for use as a movie house again, I hope there won’t be lots of new screens added. I understand the financial reasons, but I still wish all lovely old theatres could be kept at the minimum amount of screens.
Geez! Every surviving movie theater has at least 10 screens. Not real movie theaters, though. Showcase Cinemas
The City of Alameda is attempting to restore the old theatre, build a new building next door (for more screens) and build a 325 space parking garage next to that. Every effort will be made to restore the old theatre to it’s original glory (within budget limitations). The Park Street Business Association (PSBA) is highly involved in this project. For further information please call PSBA 510-523-1392 or email us at Our web site (shopparkstreet.com) will soon have a page devoted to the theatre project.
Oh the memories !
I worked at the Alameda Theatre from 1975-78. I knew all the hidden passages, trap doors and hollow walls. Did you know the attic still had boxes of sand to throw on Japanese bombs during WWII ? Any question, just ask.
Ciao.
Curiously, one consideration that’s apparently not been looked at (at least as far as I know) is conversion of the Alameda into a concert hall or performance art center; seems to me that that would better preserve the architecture than a multiplex. It’d be a shame if the Alameda were to become another UA Berkeley.
alameda theater 1954 thats where so many kids went on friday nights, cost 50 cents to get in and that was for a double feature not too many kids stayed for both movies, i always remember the theater manager with his too short red trousers kicking out row after row of kids for talking during the movie the kids never really seemed to mind . thanks leon theriault
An independent operator named Kyle Conner out of Santa Rosa has plans to remodel this venue into a 6 plex theatre. It has the potential to make thousands and thousands of dollars in this 90,000+
populated area. Currently, moviegoers much venture into Oakland or
Berkeley to view films where parking and safety can be problematic
depending on the hour of the day.
During the late ‘80’s my daughter spent many hours at the gymnastics school in this building. Even with the seats removed, the building is beautiful. I was fortunate enough to get a tour of most of the building love it still, even though I haven’t seen it in years.
The Alameda in its latter years as a movie house was a triplex; its status (unfortunately like just about every other Alameda movie house) should be “Closed.”
Saw many movies in my youth at the Alameda. It rememded me of a smaller version of the Oakland Paramount. The Alameda has a great marquee. The Alameda was well maintained till the day it closed as a movie theatre.brucec
Can someone hunt down Michael and kill him? or at the least delete his remarks?
The Alameda Theatre seated 2168 people.
Built in 1932, this was the last of the eight theatres designed “from scratch” by Timothy Pflueger. His firm would design deco remodels for older theatres throughout the ensuing ten years, ending with the remodel of San Francisco’s Metro in 1941.
Some of the Alameda’s lobby furniture may still be enjoyed at the Oakland Paramount, where it fits right in.