Harrowgate Theatre
3421-3423 Kensington Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19134
3421-3423 Kensington Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19134
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Functions: Restaurant
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
Located at the corner of Kensington Avenue and E. Russell Street in the Kensington district to the northeast of the city. The Harrowgate Theatre was built in 1920 for independent operators, but was taken over in January 1921 by the Stanley Theatres chain and was opened by them on January 24, 1921 with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Mark of Zorro”. It had a seating capacity of 1,133. It was equipped with a Moellor 2 manual 9 ranks organ. The theatre was located on Kensington Avenue at E. Russell Street. It was given a Streamline-Moderne style makeover in 1941. The Harrowgate Theatre closed was closed on September 30, 1951 with Stephen McNally in “Apache Drums” & Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride in “Ma & Pa Kettle Back on the Farm”.
It was converted into the Kensington Roller-Skating Rink which operated for many years. The Moeller organ had been vandalized and there were only 2 ranks of pipes remaining. According to the Philadelphia tax records, the mason-front building is still standing but in sub-par condition.
In 2011, the building was in use as the L & J Banquet Hall, but that had closed by 2016. The building stood unused and available ‘For Lease’. In April 2025, it was announced that the Caphe Roast, a Vietnamese coffee shop and delicatessen across the street, will reuse the building with expanded dining, a larger coffee roastery and a brewery.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Here is an undated photo:
http://tinyurl.com/22qplh
The marquee is gone now and the lower half of the façade has been stuccoed over but the building still exists as banquet hall. The accompanying map is incorrect as it puts the theater in Harrowgate Park — between E. Tioga St. & E. Schiller St. The theater — at 3419-3423 Kensington Avenue — is between E. Schiller St. & E. Russell St.
Does anyone know who the architect was and in what style the Harrowgate was designed?
Also, a discrepancy exists between the year the Harrowgate opened (1923) and the year the Moller organ was installed (1920). Perhaps the theater was built around the organ?
Wide marquee and traditional art deco doors are dramatic. Would be nice to see interior pics.
The Harrowgate Theatre was built in 1920 for Lewin Pizor and Benjamin Dintenfass in Harrowgate Square. Just prior to launch, however, the Stanley Theatre Circuit bought the Harrowgate in January of 1921 for $160,000 (or $200,000, depending on which report) from Dintenfass. At opening the Harrowgate seated 1,133 in a 73' by 150' venue becoming the 35th Stanley operated theater in the city. The Moller organ, alone, cost $25,000. The opening film was “The Mark of Zorro” on January 24, 1921. The opening manager of George Sobel coming over from the Iris Theatre.
The Harrowgate added sound to remain viable. At the 20th Anniversary of the theatre, Stanley Warner updated the Harrowgate and a group of other venues to make them more streamline moderne. The Harrowgate Theatre was closed at the expiry of a 30-year lease on September 30, 1951 with “Apache Drums” and “Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm.” The venue was transformed into the long-running Kensington Roller Rink.