This thread hasn't been updated in awhile.
There is a lot going on in downtown LA, with an estimated 50,000 people living in its' downtown now. The City is pursuing a plan to restore the Broadway theatre district, run a new streetcar line through the area, and several of the downtown theaters have already been renovated or repurposed. What I didn't know is that Downtown LA has the largest number of intact historic theaters remaining in its' downtown along Broadway--numbering 12.
Broadway in downtown LA is like a time capsule in many ways, and it's amazing how little demolition there has been, since much of the historic street-wall remains. The buildings feature beautiful ornamental architecture that is more reminiscent of New York and Chicago than Los Angeles.
The Broadway Theatre District in Los Angeles features the largest concentration of historic theatres and movie palaces on one street in the nation, most of which date back to the 1920's and 1930's. There are twelve historic theatres along Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles. Each offers a different and important glimpse into the history of our city, and its primary industry - entertainment.
They include:
Million Dollar Theatre (live performance space)
Roxie Theatre (used for retail now)
Cameo Theatre (used for retail now)
Arcade Theatre (used as clothing store now)
Los Angeles Theatre (rented out by movie studios for film shoots, and used by Last Remaining Seats classic films fundraising group to screen films)
Palace Theatre (reopened in 2011 as live performance venue)
State Theatre (currently used as church)
Globe Theatre (used for retail, and nightclub space)
Tower Theatre (It was announced in October 2012, that it will reopen in 2014 as a concert venue and bar.)
Rialto Theatre (renovated as Urban Outfitters; historic façade maintained)
Orpheum Theatre (performing arts, restored in 2003)
United Artists Theatre (renovated as events venue as part of the Ace Hotel project; will reopen in Feb., 2014 as Theatre at the Ace Hotel)
Other historic theaters remain outside of the Broadway corridor, and they include:
The Olympic Theater on W. 8th Street (used recently for retail, vacant)
The Mayan Theater, 1038 S. Hill St., (used as nightclub)
Variety Arts Theater, 940 S. Figueroa St., (used for special events)
The Regal Theater, 448 S. Main St. (used for live music events, movies)
Trinity Auditorium, 855 S. Grand Ave. (proposed hotel conversion, and dance hall space)
Belasco Theater, 1050 S. Hill St. (used for restaurant, bar, and nightclub)
Pantages / Warner Bros. Theater, 401 W. 7th St. (currently used for retail jewelry exchange)
Merced Theater, 420 N. Main St., (proposed use by public access TV station).
Large sections of downtown LA still are lined with historic and decorative buildings that are intact and being redeveloped. Among some recent ones are Ross Dress for Less taking over a former Woolworth's store, as well as several boutique retail stores filling space downtown. Downtown also has had additions of grocery stores, and a City Target store.
The Trinity Auditorium building is proposed for a new hotel, as is the Clark Hotel building. A new Ace Hotel has opened in the United Artists Theater building.
Here are a couple of links:
http://brighamyen.com/
http://www.bringingbackbroadway.com/index.htm
http://blogdowntown.com/