The Coliseum Theater, a former cinema in Seattle, Washington, opened January 8, 1916. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and is also an official Seattle city landmark. Designed by

B. Marcus Priteca Benjamin Marcus Priteca (23 December 1889 – 1 October 1971) was a Scottish architect. He is best known for designing theatres for Alexander Pantages. Early life Benjamin Marcus Priteca was born into a Jewish family in Glasgow on 23 December 1 ...

, it was Seattle's first theater built specifically for showing movies, and was one of the first cinemas anywhere to strive for architectural grandeur. When it opened, it was advertised as "the world's largest and finest photoplay palace." In 1931, the ''Journal of the

Royal Institute of Architects Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a cit ...

'' called it "the first of the world's movie palaces." The exterior features elaborate terra cotta work, and the original interior was comparably ornate. When it opened in the silent film era, it boasted a 7-piece orchestra plus an organist; the giant organ was made by Moller, and the musicians—all Russians—were reputed to be the highest-paid movie theater musicians in the country. Anita King attended the opening night to give a speech dedicating the theater. The Coliseum continued as a first-run theater into the late 1970s, and continued to show films until 1990. In 1995, the building was rehabilitated as a Banana Republic clothing store.

References

{{National Register of Historic Places Theatres completed in 1916 1910s architecture in the United States National Register of Historic Places in Seattle Former cinemas in the United States Terracotta Buildings and structures in Seattle Cinemas and movie theaters in Washington (state) Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state) Downtown Seattle