Lot Liberty Station

Luce Auditorium at the former Naval Training Center was renovated into a 6-screen, 429-seat cinema, opening May 5, 2016.

As reported in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Adolfo Fastlicht retained SMS Architects for the $12 million conversion. Mr. Fastlicht is the former co-CEO of Grupo Cinemex.

The Lot Liberty Station retains the original oak stage and exposed concrete proscenium on view in the lobby. An added contemporary touch built on the exterior is a restaurant and lounge, with a sliding glass wall, looking out onto Truxton Avenue.

Named for Admiral Stephen Bleecker Luce, and opening in 1941, the auditorium closed in 1997 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally seating about 2,200, it was used for training films, first run films and is remembered for wartime entertainment by celebrities such as Bob Hope and Jack Benny.

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Joe Vogel on November 8, 2017 at 3:48 pm

The architect of the original Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings at the San Diego Naval Training Center, built from 1921 to 1923, was Frank Walter Stevenson. Among numerous other San Diego area landmarks, Stevenson also designed the Bush Egyptian Theatre, listed at Cinema Treasures as the Park Theatre.