The Florida Theatre is a historic
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
movie
theater
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actor, actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The p ...
located in
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the most populous city proper in the state and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. It is the seat of Duval County, with which the ...
. Opened in April 1927, it was added to the U.S.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
on November 4, 1982.
On April 18, 2012, the
AIA AIA or A.I.A. or Aia may refer to:
Aia
* Aia, a small town in the Basque province of Gipuzkoa, Spain
* Aia, current Kutaisi, ancient capital of Colchis
* Aia, another name for Aea (Malis), an ancient town in Greece
* ''Aia'', the collected ed ...
's Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of ''Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places''.
The theatre is one of only four remaining high-style movie palaces built in
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
during the
Mediterranean Revival architectural boom of the 1920s (the other three being the
Saenger Theatre in Pensacola, the
Polk Theatre in Lakeland and the
Tampa Theatre
The Tampa Theatre is a historic U.S. theater and city landmark in Downtown Tampa, Florida. Designed as an atmospheric theatre style movie palace by architect John Eberson, it opened on October 15, 1926.
The theatre features a wide range of in ...
in Tampa).
History
Golden Age of Hollywood: 1926—1960
The Florida Theatre began construction in summer of 1926 by Southern Enterprises, Inc. with R. E. Hall & Co. and
Roy A. Benjamin
Roy A. Benjamin (1887-1963) was a prominent architect in Jacksonville, Florida.
Benjamin moved from Ocala to Jacksonville in 1902.
He designed several theaters in Jacksonville and the surrounding southeast region. His work included Jacksonville ...
as the architects. The theatre was established as a seven-story concrete fireproof building with a roof garden and with an emphasis on showing movies and live performances. R. E. Hall and Roy A. Benjamin designed the Florida Theatre in the
Mediterranean Revival architecture
Mediterranean Revival is an architectural style introduced in the United States, Canada, and certain other countries in the 19th century. It incorporated references from Spanish Renaissance, Spanish Colonial, Italian Renaissance, French Colonial ...
style. The site of the Florida Theatre was previously occupied by a police station and jail but was demolished. Construction of the theatre took only one year and was opened to the public on April 8, 1927. At the time of the opening the Florida Theatre was the largest theatre in Florida. The opening night had several programs featuring fanfare of the American Legion Bugle Corps, a live stage show, and the film
''Let It Rain''. The Florida Theatre was open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM showing a variety of films, news reels, or a stage presentation. In 1938 the roof garden was closed and replaced with offices to be rented out.
On August 10–11, 1956
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...
played two shows at the Florida Theatre to the dislikes of Jacksonville's city leadership. A committee was formed and Judge Marion Gooding prepared arrest warrants due to Presley's bodily movements and influence on the local youth. Gooding and Elvis had a private meeting where Gooding threatened to execute the warrants if Elvis disobeyed his orders. Elvis performed the show with no action from the police or Gooding.
Decline and Renovations: 1960—present
By the 1970s, the Florida Theatre was in decline and on May 8, 1980 it was forced to close. The historical significance of the Florida Theatre and its architecture led to a $500,000 grant from the State of Florida and a $350,000 grant from the City of Jacksonville HUD Community Development Block Grant with an additional $150,000 from fundraising. On October 31, 1981 the Florida Theatre was purchased by the Arts Assembly of Jacksonville for $1 million. The Arts Assembly immediately began restoring the dilapidated building with $5 million. The Florida Theatre was also at the time placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...
on December 28, 1982. One year later on August 26, 1983, the newly renovated Florida Theatre was reopened to the public.
[ On October 1, 1987 the Florida Theatre separated from the Arts Assembly as an independent entity governed by its own board of directors. The Florida Theatre today is the permanent home of the Florida Ballet, Theatreworks, and the annual Community Nutcracker.]
References
Duval County listings
a
National Register of Historic Places
Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs
*
Duval County listings
*
Florida Theatre
External links
*
{{Authority control
History of Jacksonville, Florida
National Register of Historic Places in Jacksonville, Florida
Cinemas and movie theaters in Florida
Movie palaces
Theatres in Jacksonville, Florida
Theatres completed in 1927
Mediterranean Revival architecture in Florida
Downtown Jacksonville
Northbank, Jacksonville
Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida
1927 establishments in Florida