Rex Theatre
1602 E. Carson Street,
Pittsburgh,
PA
15203
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Additional Info
Architects: Charles R. Geisler
Previous Names: Strand Theatre, New Rex Theatre
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Located in the South Side Flats district of Pittsburgh. The Strand Theatre opened as a vaudeville theatre in 1905. In 1907 it became a nickelodeon. It was refurbished in the 1930’s and was renamed New Rex Theatre. By 1939 it had been renamed Rex Theatre which closed in 1959 with a screening of “Gone with the Wind”. It was converted into a beautician school. The Rex Theatre reopened in 1989 as a movie theatre and closed in 2000. It was reopened and refurbished, the Rex Theatre is again a thriving venue, located on E. Carson Street, between 16th Street and 17th Street.
It is used for concerts, cabaret-style shows, various other live performances and DVD projection. The Rex Theatre also contains a bar area. It was closed in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In September 2020 it was announced that the closure would be permanent.
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
It is strange. I don’t remember seeing the Rex until recently. Was it vacant in the 80s before its reopening?
It was closed for most my life i lived in SouthSide. It reopened in the 90’s then closed again. Now they have live bands and booze. Went in it last wek and its dirty, nasty. A shame for old theater lovers
I just visited the Rex on Easter weekend and saw the “World Premiere” of a locally done full length film titled, “You’re In Trouble” which was paired with a previously released short titled, “Corporate Blues”. I’ll just say they’re both okay since this isn’t a movie revue site. Most everything listed here is pretty accurate according to my source who now operates the Rex. The screen used now is about one third the size of the original screen since movies are rarely shown. Today, the Rex’s primary purpose is a “Premiere Rock Venue Facility” All permanent seating has been removed so when seating is required, banquet style chairs are placed. It’s butt tough to sit on for over 2 hours but the semi “theatre” experience was still worthwile. Sipping a beer and watching a movie was strange but throughly enjoyable. Despite its present shortcomings as a true movie theatre, I’d go again.
The Rex closed in 1959 and never returned as a movie theatre until the the nineties. The “art fare venue” lasted until the mid nineties with one short closure and reopening. During the time frame between 1959 and the nineties the Rex hosted a barber school as well as a wholesale (very appropiately) popcorn facility. The Rex sat vacant from the mid 90’s until 2001, when it reopend with a premiere Rock & Roll showcase venue.
Although, today what appears to be the Rex’s balcony, it was vastly different in its movie showing days. The balcony today is much larger and has a new curved staircase. Originally, the balcony was only on the left side (as you face the screen) of the projection booth. It contained only 6 seats. Does that qualify for entry into the Guiness book? You also need a VIP pass to gain entry to the balcony.
Listed as the New Rex in the 1955 yellow pages. Phone was HEmlok 1-9496.
This item is from the February 19, 1916, issue of The American Contractor:
A later issue of the magazine said that plans were complete and the architect would be taking bids for the project about March 15. Chas. Geisler was probably the Charles R. Geisler who designed the Harris South Hills Theatre in Dormont, Pennsylvania.Whitney Thore’s “My Big Fat Wonderful Life” TLC cable show was done here in 2018 as part of her BGDC (Big Girl Dance Class) Tour.
The location was home to a vaudeville theatre in 1905 named the Strand whose film roots dates back to becoming a full time nickelodeon in 1907. It became the New Strand Theatre in the 1930s after a refresh. By decade’s end it became the New Rex Theatre – the city’s second Rex.The Rex closed in 1959 with “Gone with the Wind.” But following a 30-year lease as a beautician school, the Rex returned with movies in 1989. For its last 11 years it was home to live events.
But the theatre closed in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September of 2020, the operators made the closure permanent stating, “Due to the ongoing hardship and uncertain future caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Rex Theater will be closing our doors after over a decade of live music and events.”
This reopened as the Rex theatre on August 11th, 1989 with “Gone With the Wind”. ad posted.