2006 video about renovations including restored Art Deco foyer, restored Deco ceiling in 2nd screen (former balcony), Deco fountain in 3rd auditorium (former Ladies Lounge). View link
Recent photos of facade and interior by Rob Bender: View link
Photos show a very interesting Art Deco movie theater. They do not include the auditorium.
No evidence that Lamb worked here. Architects, and their associates, saw what other architects were doing, and perhaps emulated. As to the Stanley, it is a church and like most others (United Artists in downtown LA, Loews 175th etc) it doesn’t show movies. The Loews Jersey does and for that, we are all fortunate.
This morning, the Philadelphia Historical Commission unanimously voted to add the Boyd Theatre to the PHILADELPHIA REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES!
Designation of the Boyd means that the building’s exterior is legally protected from demolition or alteration. Today’s decision was a landmark reversal of the 2002 denial. Today’s action means that the City of Philadelphia has done the right thing in taking this step! It does not mean the plywood on the facade comes down and the Boyd magically reopens, with its ornate Art Deco exterior and interior restored for public entertainment.
There’s more work to do!
Sugar has an excellent point about the tours. The last that I heard, the church that owns, restored,and wonderfully maintains the former United Artists movie palace in Los Angeles no longer offers tours. I’ve already stated above that the JWs should have our gratitude for making the Stanley so available to see, and indeed, for free. Yes, I know we won’t change Schmadrian’s mind, but everybody else- enjoy your free tour and the lovely set of postcards.
Friends of the Boyd have had several hundred people show up to support our cause many times, including various film fundraisers at International House, and at one particular tour. We’ve received tons of letters, emails, and other communications in support, and have a mailing list in the thousands. There’s no question that the public overwhelmingly supports our cause.
Friends of the Boyd have long advocated that movie premieres, a film classic series, and film festivals be hosted at the Boyd. To operate in the black, the Boyd will need to host live shows. 1st run movies will play at 1st run movie theaters- which is no longer the Boyd’s role. Huge, ornate movie palaces in most US cities primarily host live shows, and sometimes a film series.
As LuisV knows so well, most movie palaces nationwide don’t show daily movies anymore. Gorgeous movie palaces, like the Boyd, are restored & reopened primarily for live shows.
Friends of the Boyd, Inc did print up some T shirts this year. We offered some for sale to our supporters. Considering the printing costs, we’d need sell 10 million T shirts in order to restore the Boyd! So, City & state funding and major donors, really is needed.
I’ve long wanted to place one or more image of the Boyd on a poster. I’m not aware of any movie palace that’s on a poster.
LuisV, I appreciate your comments.
Philadelphia has not completed the process of landmarking the Boyd’s exterior (all it can legally protect unless a new bill is passed next month). A recommendation was made in favor by the Designation Committee. A vote is scheduled August 8 at the Phila. Historical Commission.
In NYC, on 42nd Street the Harris facade is the entry to Madame Tussard’s. The Empire was moved a short distance, and its former interior (auditorium) is the grand lobby of the AMC Empire multiplex.
The New Amsterdam is the crown jewel, an Art Nouveau masterpiece whose restoration & reopening kicked off the renewal of Times Square. I certainly hope that when the time comes- and we are working towards it, when the Boyd reopens, that it will greatly help Philadelphia, too, and especially Chestnut Street West.
The ADA often will require elevators, accessible seating, etc. but fundamentally is consistent with a restoration.
As to this above post:
According to a Crain’s article the Jam/Freed partnership is required by court order to place $5M in an escrow account 30 days after being awarded title and have a renovation financing plan in place 90 days after that. Renovation is required to be complete in about 2 and a half years.
The Crain’s article quotes somebody as stating that, but it seems unrealistic that $5 mil will be put in escow, that a renovation financing plan will be in place within 90 days, and iffy as to the 2.5 year timetable. Substantial public funding takes time to obtain.
Movie theaters today are multiplexes. Friends of the Boyd do include in our mission to have a film series at the Boyd, but it will need to primarily rely upon live events.
Yes, it is an interesting and inspiring list.
2006 video about renovations including restored Art Deco foyer, restored Deco ceiling in 2nd screen (former balcony), Deco fountain in 3rd auditorium (former Ladies Lounge).
View link
Today’s (August 13, 2008) Editorial of Philadelphia Inquirer
View link
I see Rob created a set, a nice entry to his wonderful photos:
View link
Recent photos of facade and interior by Rob Bender:
View link
Photos show a very interesting Art Deco movie theater. They do not include the auditorium.
Facade:
View link
Foyer:
View link
Also, where’s the proof/citation as to Eberson and the Stanley?
No evidence that Lamb worked here. Architects, and their associates, saw what other architects were doing, and perhaps emulated. As to the Stanley, it is a church and like most others (United Artists in downtown LA, Loews 175th etc) it doesn’t show movies. The Loews Jersey does and for that, we are all fortunate.
Philadelphia Inquirer today:
View link
KYW Radio:
View link
PlanPhilly
http://www.planphilly.com/node/3666
This morning, the Philadelphia Historical Commission unanimously voted to add the Boyd Theatre to the PHILADELPHIA REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES!
Designation of the Boyd means that the building’s exterior is legally protected from demolition or alteration. Today’s decision was a landmark reversal of the 2002 denial. Today’s action means that the City of Philadelphia has done the right thing in taking this step! It does not mean the plywood on the facade comes down and the Boyd magically reopens, with its ornate Art Deco exterior and interior restored for public entertainment.
There’s more work to do!
Sugar has an excellent point about the tours. The last that I heard, the church that owns, restored,and wonderfully maintains the former United Artists movie palace in Los Angeles no longer offers tours. I’ve already stated above that the JWs should have our gratitude for making the Stanley so available to see, and indeed, for free. Yes, I know we won’t change Schmadrian’s mind, but everybody else- enjoy your free tour and the lovely set of postcards.
(1) Cover story on Philadelphia theaters in today’s City Paper, including the Boyd. This you can read online:
View link
(2) new Arcadia book, Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, also features the Boyd on one page.
View link
Thanks to the fellow who has taken these current photos of balcony, now used for storage. They show wonderful Art Deco detail.
View link
photo of exterior:
View link
Photos of neighbor Belasco Theatre being converted now into a nightclub:
View link
Friends of the Boyd have had several hundred people show up to support our cause many times, including various film fundraisers at International House, and at one particular tour. We’ve received tons of letters, emails, and other communications in support, and have a mailing list in the thousands. There’s no question that the public overwhelmingly supports our cause.
Friends of the Boyd have long advocated that movie premieres, a film classic series, and film festivals be hosted at the Boyd. To operate in the black, the Boyd will need to host live shows. 1st run movies will play at 1st run movie theaters- which is no longer the Boyd’s role. Huge, ornate movie palaces in most US cities primarily host live shows, and sometimes a film series.
As LuisV knows so well, most movie palaces nationwide don’t show daily movies anymore. Gorgeous movie palaces, like the Boyd, are restored & reopened primarily for live shows.
Friends of the Boyd, Inc did print up some T shirts this year. We offered some for sale to our supporters. Considering the printing costs, we’d need sell 10 million T shirts in order to restore the Boyd! So, City & state funding and major donors, really is needed.
I’ve long wanted to place one or more image of the Boyd on a poster. I’m not aware of any movie palace that’s on a poster.
NHU, this is one of the most magnfificient movie palaces ever built in the US. These projects take time, and funding.
LuisV, I appreciate your comments.
Philadelphia has not completed the process of landmarking the Boyd’s exterior (all it can legally protect unless a new bill is passed next month). A recommendation was made in favor by the Designation Committee. A vote is scheduled August 8 at the Phila. Historical Commission.
In NYC, on 42nd Street the Harris facade is the entry to Madame Tussard’s. The Empire was moved a short distance, and its former interior (auditorium) is the grand lobby of the AMC Empire multiplex.
The New Amsterdam is the crown jewel, an Art Nouveau masterpiece whose restoration & reopening kicked off the renewal of Times Square. I certainly hope that when the time comes- and we are working towards it, when the Boyd reopens, that it will greatly help Philadelphia, too, and especially Chestnut Street West.
I believe the Uptown will be gorgeously restored and reopened! I just doubt the items mentioned in the Crain’s article.
The ADA often will require elevators, accessible seating, etc. but fundamentally is consistent with a restoration.
As to this above post:
According to a Crain’s article the Jam/Freed partnership is required by court order to place $5M in an escrow account 30 days after being awarded title and have a renovation financing plan in place 90 days after that. Renovation is required to be complete in about 2 and a half years.
The Crain’s article quotes somebody as stating that, but it seems unrealistic that $5 mil will be put in escow, that a renovation financing plan will be in place within 90 days, and iffy as to the 2.5 year timetable. Substantial public funding takes time to obtain.
Movie theaters today are multiplexes. Friends of the Boyd do include in our mission to have a film series at the Boyd, but it will need to primarily rely upon live events.
Nobody is going to replicate original 1920s Art Deco, which is one reason why it is so important to save, restore and reopen the Boyd!