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‘Bright’ future for Lansdowne Theater
Delaware County Council provides CDBG grant for
marquee restoration at historic and cultural landmark
The future of the historic Lansdowne Theater will soon be brighter thanks to a grant from Delaware County Council that will fund restoration of the theater marquee.
The marquee frames the entrance to the Hollywood Moorish-style theater, which the current owners hope to transform into a venue for live music concerts, performances by local non-profit groups and cinema.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, Delaware County Council presented a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for $126,500 to restore the marquee to its original splendor, and to make it energy-efficient with 98 LED lights instead of the original incandescent bulbs.
County Council presented the check to Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation and its executive director, Matt Schultz, at a celebration and tour held Thursday at the theater at 31 N. Lansdowne Ave.
“The revitalization of our first-generation communities is an ongoing priority for Delaware County Council. We are pleased that we can contribute to the preservation of remarkable buildings like the Lansdowne Theater, and to support cultural endeavors that draw people to our towns,” said Council Chairman Jack Whelan.
“But this theater, in all its Hollywood-style grandeur, is much more than a building. It’s a cultural center that will bring people together, just as it did decades ago, when it was a movie theater. We look forward to the day when people from across the county come here to see a concert, to visit the local restaurants and stores, to work here, and to have fun here. When people come here for a modern-day concert, they’ll also be getting a dose of local history.”
Joining Council at the celebration were several artists who are eager to once again see the names of performers up in lights on the Lansdowne marquee, including local music artists Patricia and Orlando Haddad, known as the Brazilian music duo Minas. Renowned concert promoters Bill Rogers and Herb Spivak, founding partner of Philadelphia’s Electric Factory, also touted the benefits of having a concert venue in a local community.
The Lansdowne Theater has been closed for 24 years, since 1987 when an electrical fire caused the evacuation of 100 people attending a screening of “Beverly Hills Cop 2.”
The County Council grant is just one piece of an ongoing effort to restore the theater to its original glory. With Schultz at the helm, Historic Lansdowne Theater is conducting a capital campaign to finance the renovation, expected to cost about $9 million.
A “Tour and Pour” fundraiser is set for Nov. 6 when the public can tour the pre-restored theater and learn about the restoration efforts, followed by an event at the 2312 Garrett Restaurant in nearby Drexel Hill.
“The renovation of this theater is a great example of partnerships between the arts community, business and all levels of government,” Whelan said. “When we all work together, we not only preserve our historic communities, but we help them thrive for generations to come.”
Whelan said the marquee project alone will result in seven jobs involving electricians, carpenters, roofers and neon fabricators. It is estimated that the overall restoration project will create jobs for 100 workers over a 15-month period.
Schultz said the effort has support from borough officials, residents, the Lansdowne business and arts community, elected officials at all levels, and even some high school friends from his youth.
“We are working hard during this challenging economic climate to fund this restoration,” Schultz said. The large building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, includes retail and office space. To the left of the main entrance is Cinema 16.9, an independent movie theater and DVD rental store. To the right is the Regency Café, a bake and coffee shop.
The Lansdowne Theater features an ornate lobby styled after a Spanish courtyard complete with fountains. The main auditorium is awe-inspiring with its original curtains embroidered in metallic thread, Renaissance Revival-style designs over the side doors, gargoyles, ornate chandeliers, an orchestra pit, and an expansive sky-blue ceiling. It also features the original seating for 1,300, as designed by renowned theater architect William H. Lee.
“When the Lansdowne Theater opened on June 1, 1927, the featured film was ‘Knockout Riley’ starring Richard Dix. In those days, move tickets were priced from 15 to 35 cents,” Schultz said.
Two giant historic projectors remain in the second-floor projection room.
The Historic Lansdowne Theater Corp. purchased the building in 2007 with a grant secured from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the leadership of state Rep. Nicholas Micozzie. To date, repairs have been made to the roof, a fire detection system has been installed, second floor offices have been renovated and retail space has been brought into compliance with building codes.
“As a county, we are blessed to have communities that are so rich in culture and history,” Chairman Whelan said. “During tough economic times, it’s hard to find funding, but by working together, we can preserve our landmarks like the Lansdowne Theater, and find a new use for them that serves our residents.”