I was probably the last person to operate the theatre in 1990’s as a rehearsal studio for national bands. We cleaned up this theatre. But when it rained the dressing rooms would fill to the roof with water. We built a thrust stage. It had around 700 seats, cove lighting, one office, restrooms and a small lobby. I have a few historic photo’s. I heard in early 2000 it was not in good shape, due to the mold problem and water damage. I believe someone has purchased the building and is renovating it into a multiplex.
One few small corrections about the history of the Raymond Theatre as stated in the last post (see above). The Raymond Theatre was sold to in the 1970’s to Bruce Barkis who operated it for plays and organ concerts for a short while.
In 1979 Mark Perkin’s purchased the Raymond Theatre and converted it to a concert venue. The theatre was a MAJOR success as a concert venue. In fact, it won many Pollstar awards as the top grossing venue in Los Angeles. Some of the artists who played the Raymond Theatre during the Perkin’s Palace era include Phil Collins, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac, Motley Crue, Willie Nelson, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Halen and more. Every major concert promoter in the business produced shows at the Raymond Theatre. Also many movies, television shows and video’s were filmed at the Raymond Theatre during this era as well. It even had it’s on TV show called Rock N' Roll Tonight, Live from Perkins Palace.
The area surrounding the Raymond Theatre during the Perkin’s Palace era was perfect for rock concerts, with funky punk stores and vintage shops. In 1987 the City of Pasadena commissioned a feasibility study to see what the best use would be of the Raymond Theatre, if saved. I wrote the study and was also the manager and concert promoter of the Raymond Theatre dung the Perkin’s Palace era. After much evaluation, we took into consideration the changes in Old Town and felt the Raymond Theatre would be best suited as a mixed-use venue that would incorporate concerts, performing arts, meeting and conference, and film shoots. The Raymond Theatre is a much needed resource due to the lack of performance space in Pasadena. The City Council voted a mulit-use venue was the best use of the theatre in 1990.
The Perkin’s Palace era lasted from 1979-1989. The theatre was sold in 1990 to a concert promoter who lost the theatre after recovering all the seats in non-fame retardant material and the fire dept. shut him down. He lost money on the shows that were booked and choose to give the theatre back to the developer. Before he purchased the theatre, everyone, including the city new he was under financed to buy the theatre. Many speculated if this sale was made by the developer to insure he would get the theatre back after renovation.
The short time the Raymond Theatre was open from 1990-1991, again it was a success, selling out all shows. The Raymond Theatre barely closed for a year or more from 1979-1990. Since then the developer who owns it has kept it closed and not allowed anyone to use the theatre for performances.
The problem with the Raymond Theatre is not a lack of buyers or product, it’s the developer who owns it. He continues to refuse sales, damages his property and then calls it a hardship!
I founded Friends of the Raymond Theatre in 1987 and over the years we have stopped two prior developments and are currently working to stop the Raymond Theatre from becoming a condominium project. Friends of the Raymond Theatre has 7,000 supporters worldwide and in 2004 we won the California Preservation Foundation President’s award for the our achievements in the field of historic preservation.
To contact Friends of the Raymond Theatre, or to subscribe to our newsletters:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
P.O. Box 91189
Pasadena, Ca 91109
Office: (818) 541-9522
Website: www.raymondtheatre.com
E-mail:
We have obtained permission from the owners of the Palace Theatre to post a notice that the theatre is available for movie, television and music video location use, also live entertainment, parties, meetings and other functions. If you are interested, feel free to contact us and we will put you in touch with the owners.
At the end of 2004, the developer who owns the Raymond Theatre refused a $5 million dollar sale offer and instead took out a $19 million dollar construction loan to start redevelopment of the Raymond Theatre to condo’s. Friends of the Raymond Theatre currently have two lawsuits in progress.
In 2005, it’s going to take a lot of work and people-power to stop the City from allowing the developer to start construction. At this time we are in need of volunteers. Our volunteers are wordwide, we work online, if you can help, e-mail or call us at or (818) 541-9522
We are also in need of donations to help do everything possible to stop redevelopment of the Raymond Theatre in early 2005.
Donations are tax-deductible and may be sent to:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
P.O. Box 91189
Pasadena, Ca 91109-1189
At the end of 2004, the developer who owns the Raymond Theatre refused a $5 million dollar sale offer and took out a $19 million dollar construction loan to start redevelopment of the Raymond Theatre to condo’s. Friends of the Raymond Theatre has two lawsuits in progress. It’s going to take a lot of work and people-power to stop construction this year. So the more volunteers we have, the better for the Raymond Theatre!
We work online, so it enables us to have people helping from all over the world. Currently we have committee members from New York, New Jersey and Australia who are assisting. So no distance is to far to help!
If anyone would like to subcribe to our e-mail newsletters you can write us at We have 7,000 supporters (worldwide) online with us and we would truly appreciate your support.
Thank you!
Gina Zamparelli
President, Friends of the Raymond Theatre
Friends of the Raymond Theatre has 7,000 supporters worldwide standing behind preservation of the Raymond Theatre. For 16-years we have worked to stop redevelopment of the theatre. Yet the City of Pasadena is allowing the developer to move forward. The theatre could be gutted as soon as July 2004. The money and affluence of this theatre owner/developer, business associations with City Council and well, you know the story. That’s the true reason this theatre is slated for redevelopment. It’s also the reason why 7,000 people have stood up and said “NO” to this development.
If anyone want’s to join Friends of the Raymond Theatre, we send out newsletters to our supporters all over the world and give
project updates every month!
Anyone looking for a historic theatre in Pasadena, CA? The Raymond Theatre is for sale (aka The Crown Theare or Perkin’s Palace). We are seekking a buyer or investors to purchase the theatre and ajacent parking lot. The parking lot comes with variences to build a 65 foot builing on the neighboring lot. The capacity if 2,000. The theatre most recently was one of LA’s top concert venues. It comes with a national promoter, former management team and corporate sponsorship. One of the last well-located movie palaces left for sale in LA!
Capacity 2,000
8 dressing rooms
screening room
40 x 40 stage
main floor & balcony
four restrooms
kitchen
box office
The original interior was Egyptian and later a streamline modern. I remember the later remodel which had an interior mural that had mermaids, fish and seaweed – the mural wasn’t half bad either! I remember the drinking fountains were big white shells in the lobby. I watched the theatre close and feared one day I would drive by (as we do with most Pasadena theatres) and find a wreaking crew inside. Low and behold that day happened. I remember going up to the front doors and contruction was going on inside. The owner said I could not go in. I walked past a big burly construction worker who looked very sad. I stopped to ask him what was going on inside. I can still remember his words, he said he couldn’t bare another day doing this work, he said he was throwing out all the Egyptian statuary that was hidden for years behind the walls that had the sea murals. He was almost in tears. Thinking back, I wished I had looked in the dumpsters, well maybe not! Who would know, years later we would be fighting the same battle with the Raymond Theatre down the street in Pasadena!
We are still seeking a buyer for the theatre, or people interested in being a partner in the project with other investors. Here’s your chance to purchase or be a part owner in one of the last great movie palaces for sale in Los Angeles! Please contact us if interested.
Our lawsuit against the City of Pasadena for breach of CEQA law still continues. We are currently in the appellate courts. Our case will be heard in May 2004. If we can help sell the theater before that date, it will be saved!
You can check our website or subcribe to our monthly newsletters for for updates on our efforts: www.raymondtheatre.com or
The price is $3.0 million for Raymond Theatre and $1.3 for the adjoining parking lot. The theater comes with (if needed) a national promoter that can bring in over 100 dates a year, corporate sponsorship of approx. $1 million annually and the former management team. The parking lot comes with variences to build a 65 foot building (of any size) on the site. The properties can be sold separately.
The Montrose Theater was located on Honolulu Blvd. in Montrose. It was not demolished. It burned in the middle of the night. The Montrose Theater is now a parking lot.
The Melrose theater was built by Henry Jensen. He also built Jensen’s Raymond Theatre in Pasadena, Jensen’s Glendale Theatre, the Egyptian Cafe in Glendale and Jensen’s Recreation center in Echo Park.
Is this theater still for sale or lease, if so, does anyone know how to reach the owner of this property?
The Raymond Theatre in Pasadena is is for sale or a lease/option to purchase may be available. Please see our website at: www.raymondteatre.com
and also myspace at
www.myspace.com/raymondtheatre
For more information write us at:
I was probably the last person to operate the theatre in 1990’s as a rehearsal studio for national bands. We cleaned up this theatre. But when it rained the dressing rooms would fill to the roof with water. We built a thrust stage. It had around 700 seats, cove lighting, one office, restrooms and a small lobby. I have a few historic photo’s. I heard in early 2000 it was not in good shape, due to the mold problem and water damage. I believe someone has purchased the building and is renovating it into a multiplex.
One few small corrections about the history of the Raymond Theatre as stated in the last post (see above). The Raymond Theatre was sold to in the 1970’s to Bruce Barkis who operated it for plays and organ concerts for a short while.
In 1979 Mark Perkin’s purchased the Raymond Theatre and converted it to a concert venue. The theatre was a MAJOR success as a concert venue. In fact, it won many Pollstar awards as the top grossing venue in Los Angeles. Some of the artists who played the Raymond Theatre during the Perkin’s Palace era include Phil Collins, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac, Motley Crue, Willie Nelson, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Halen and more. Every major concert promoter in the business produced shows at the Raymond Theatre. Also many movies, television shows and video’s were filmed at the Raymond Theatre during this era as well. It even had it’s on TV show called Rock N' Roll Tonight, Live from Perkins Palace.
The area surrounding the Raymond Theatre during the Perkin’s Palace era was perfect for rock concerts, with funky punk stores and vintage shops. In 1987 the City of Pasadena commissioned a feasibility study to see what the best use would be of the Raymond Theatre, if saved. I wrote the study and was also the manager and concert promoter of the Raymond Theatre dung the Perkin’s Palace era. After much evaluation, we took into consideration the changes in Old Town and felt the Raymond Theatre would be best suited as a mixed-use venue that would incorporate concerts, performing arts, meeting and conference, and film shoots. The Raymond Theatre is a much needed resource due to the lack of performance space in Pasadena. The City Council voted a mulit-use venue was the best use of the theatre in 1990.
The Perkin’s Palace era lasted from 1979-1989. The theatre was sold in 1990 to a concert promoter who lost the theatre after recovering all the seats in non-fame retardant material and the fire dept. shut him down. He lost money on the shows that were booked and choose to give the theatre back to the developer. Before he purchased the theatre, everyone, including the city new he was under financed to buy the theatre. Many speculated if this sale was made by the developer to insure he would get the theatre back after renovation.
The short time the Raymond Theatre was open from 1990-1991, again it was a success, selling out all shows. The Raymond Theatre barely closed for a year or more from 1979-1990. Since then the developer who owns it has kept it closed and not allowed anyone to use the theatre for performances.
The problem with the Raymond Theatre is not a lack of buyers or product, it’s the developer who owns it. He continues to refuse sales, damages his property and then calls it a hardship!
I founded Friends of the Raymond Theatre in 1987 and over the years we have stopped two prior developments and are currently working to stop the Raymond Theatre from becoming a condominium project. Friends of the Raymond Theatre has 7,000 supporters worldwide and in 2004 we won the California Preservation Foundation President’s award for the our achievements in the field of historic preservation.
To contact Friends of the Raymond Theatre, or to subscribe to our newsletters:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
P.O. Box 91189
Pasadena, Ca 91109
Office: (818) 541-9522
Website: www.raymondtheatre.com
E-mail:
RENTAL OF THE PALACE THEATRE
We have obtained permission from the owners of the Palace Theatre to post a notice that the theatre is available for movie, television and music video location use, also live entertainment, parties, meetings and other functions. If you are interested, feel free to contact us and we will put you in touch with the owners.
Thank you!
Gina Zamparelli
Phone: (818) 541-9522
Fax: (818) 541-9523
At the end of 2004, the developer who owns the Raymond Theatre refused a $5 million dollar sale offer and instead took out a $19 million dollar construction loan to start redevelopment of the Raymond Theatre to condo’s. Friends of the Raymond Theatre currently have two lawsuits in progress.
In 2005, it’s going to take a lot of work and people-power to stop the City from allowing the developer to start construction. At this time we are in need of volunteers. Our volunteers are wordwide, we work online, if you can help, e-mail or call us at or (818) 541-9522
We are also in need of donations to help do everything possible to stop redevelopment of the Raymond Theatre in early 2005.
Donations are tax-deductible and may be sent to:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
P.O. Box 91189
Pasadena, Ca 91109-1189
To subcribe to our newsletters, write us at:
Would anyone be able to tell me who’s working on this project and how to contact them?
Thank you!
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
At the end of 2004, the developer who owns the Raymond Theatre refused a $5 million dollar sale offer and took out a $19 million dollar construction loan to start redevelopment of the Raymond Theatre to condo’s. Friends of the Raymond Theatre has two lawsuits in progress. It’s going to take a lot of work and people-power to stop construction this year. So the more volunteers we have, the better for the Raymond Theatre!
We work online, so it enables us to have people helping from all over the world. Currently we have committee members from New York, New Jersey and Australia who are assisting. So no distance is to far to help!
Thank you!
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
(818) 541-9522
www.raymondtheatre.com
FROM: Friends of the Raymond Theatre
If anyone would like to subcribe to our e-mail newsletters you can write us at We have 7,000 supporters (worldwide) online with us and we would truly appreciate your support.
Thank you!
Gina Zamparelli
President, Friends of the Raymond Theatre
Office: (818) 541-9522
Website: www.raymondtheatre.com
Friends of the Raymond Theatre has 7,000 supporters worldwide standing behind preservation of the Raymond Theatre. For 16-years we have worked to stop redevelopment of the theatre. Yet the City of Pasadena is allowing the developer to move forward. The theatre could be gutted as soon as July 2004. The money and affluence of this theatre owner/developer, business associations with City Council and well, you know the story. That’s the true reason this theatre is slated for redevelopment. It’s also the reason why 7,000 people have stood up and said “NO” to this development.
If anyone want’s to join Friends of the Raymond Theatre, we send out newsletters to our supporters all over the world and give
project updates every month!
To join us, send an e-mail at:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
www.raymondtheatre.com
Anyone looking for a historic theatre in Pasadena, CA? The Raymond Theatre is for sale (aka The Crown Theare or Perkin’s Palace). We are seekking a buyer or investors to purchase the theatre and ajacent parking lot. The parking lot comes with variences to build a 65 foot builing on the neighboring lot. The capacity if 2,000. The theatre most recently was one of LA’s top concert venues. It comes with a national promoter, former management team and corporate sponsorship. One of the last well-located movie palaces left for sale in LA!
Capacity 2,000
8 dressing rooms
screening room
40 x 40 stage
main floor & balcony
four restrooms
kitchen
box office
For more information contact:
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
Office: (818) 541-9522
E-mail:
Website: www.raymondtheatre.com
The original interior was Egyptian and later a streamline modern. I remember the later remodel which had an interior mural that had mermaids, fish and seaweed – the mural wasn’t half bad either! I remember the drinking fountains were big white shells in the lobby. I watched the theatre close and feared one day I would drive by (as we do with most Pasadena theatres) and find a wreaking crew inside. Low and behold that day happened. I remember going up to the front doors and contruction was going on inside. The owner said I could not go in. I walked past a big burly construction worker who looked very sad. I stopped to ask him what was going on inside. I can still remember his words, he said he couldn’t bare another day doing this work, he said he was throwing out all the Egyptian statuary that was hidden for years behind the walls that had the sea murals. He was almost in tears. Thinking back, I wished I had looked in the dumpsters, well maybe not! Who would know, years later we would be fighting the same battle with the Raymond Theatre down the street in Pasadena!
We are still seeking a buyer for the theatre, or people interested in being a partner in the project with other investors. Here’s your chance to purchase or be a part owner in one of the last great movie palaces for sale in Los Angeles! Please contact us if interested.
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
Office: (818) 541-9522
E-mail:
Website: www.raymondtheatre.com
Our lawsuit against the City of Pasadena for breach of CEQA law still continues. We are currently in the appellate courts. Our case will be heard in May 2004. If we can help sell the theater before that date, it will be saved!
You can check our website or subcribe to our monthly newsletters for for updates on our efforts: www.raymondtheatre.com or
The price is $3.0 million for Raymond Theatre and $1.3 for the adjoining parking lot. The theater comes with (if needed) a national promoter that can bring in over 100 dates a year, corporate sponsorship of approx. $1 million annually and the former management team. The parking lot comes with variences to build a 65 foot building (of any size) on the site. The properties can be sold separately.
Friends of the Raymond Theatre
Does anyone know who owns the World Theatre? I heard the World, if it was at one time the Hawaii had indoor waterfalls by the stage.
It was used in the 1980’s and 1990’s as a venue for the theater company “A Noise Within.”
The Raymond Theater was known as Jensen’s Raymond Theatre, the Crown Theatre and also Perkins Palace.
The Montrose Theater was located on Honolulu Blvd. in Montrose. It was not demolished. It burned in the middle of the night. The Montrose Theater is now a parking lot.
The Melrose theater was built by Henry Jensen. He also built Jensen’s Raymond Theatre in Pasadena, Jensen’s Glendale Theatre, the Egyptian Cafe in Glendale and Jensen’s Recreation center in Echo Park.
Just some history on the Glendale Theater. John Wayne used to live in the upstairs apartment.
The Eagle Rock Theatre was recently sold and is going to be used as a church.