1037 SW Broadway
Back of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
The back side of the old Portland Publix Theater, now the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, faces the South Park Blocks.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
The Italian Rococo Revival theater was designed by the architectural firm of Rapp & Rapp, built at a cost of $500,000 and opened on March 1928 as a vaudeville venue.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
In 1930, the owners contracted to show Paramount films and the name of the theater was changed to Paramount, including on the 65-foot vertical sign over the marquee.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
By the 1960s, the theater was deteriorating due to deferred maintenance and in 1971, the owner of the Heathman Hotel next door planned to purchase the theater and demolish it for a parking lot. To preserve it, the Portland City Council declared the theater a landmark in 1972. The theater showed its last film, Dr. Phibes Rises Again with Vincent Price, on August 15, 1972, and it became a concert venue, however the owner was losing money on the building. The owner auctioned off most of the original interior furnishings in 1975, intending a renovation that didn't happen. The theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
In accordance with the 1979 recommendations of the Performing Arts Center Committee (now called the Portland Center for the Performing Arts), the city of Portland acquired the theater on August 21, 1983, and it was renovated and restored to operation as the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, reopening in September 1984.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
As part of the renovation, the vertical Paramount sign was removed to be used as a model for the current replica reading Portland as the original did when built. When the original sign was removed its weight was underestimated, resulting in it being dropped into the street by an inadequate crane.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
Related Links:
Portland Theatre at CinemaTour
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at CinemaTreasures
Paramount Theatre at Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at Emporis
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 15, 2010
Historical Photos:
Portland Theatre, As Built (OHS)
Paramount Theater, circa 1938 (OHS)
Paramount Theater, September 1969 (ACI)
Paramount Theater, August 1971 (ACI)
Paramount Theater, July 1973 (ACI)
Paramount Theater, July 1973 (ACI)
Paramount Theater, June 1982 (ACI)
Paramount Theater, June 1982 (ACI)
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