By Aubrey Luk and Michele Gross
How a West Philly Neighborhood Berthed a Hollywood Gem
The Boyd Theatre retains its long-standing legacy as the last operating movie palace in downtown Philadelphia until its closing in 2002. In its heyday, the palace thrived off the spectacle of both the films shown as well as its extravagent layout.
Timeline
This area of downtown Philadelphia was a constant hub of activity even in the 1800’s because of its close vicinity to the political center of the city. The continued presence of prominent figures and constant social events made the establishment of a theatre where people can go to socialize and be entertained a natural development.
Early 1800’s
1830
Late 19th Cent.
1927 -1928
The Chestnut block had strong 18th century ties to its neighboring State House Square (now known as Independence Hall)
Frequent parades and demonstrations passed through this street.
Ties to State House Square diminished after the capital moved from Philadelphia, but prominent figures still lived in the area.
Jacob Ridgeway builds a mansion used to host social functions through his generation and that of his daughter
The Ridgeway mansion is converted into an addition of the Aldine Hotel, a hotel known for being the lodging place of theatrical people
The Chestnut St. area boomed as an established hub for book trade-printers, publishers, lithographers, and book binders.
The respective section of the Aldine Hotel is ripped down and purchased to become the Boyd Theatre.
BOYD OPENING
Boyd was able to find almost immediate success. It luckily opened up right before the Great Depression hit in 1929, a time when few new theaters were established. On the other hand, theaters that were already opened saw a boom in business.
1928
1953
1971
1980’s
1988
1998
2002
2005
2006
2008
2013
February 2014
March 2014
Unfortunately, the Boyd became a victim of the changing moviegoing landscape. Perhaps no private entity thought it would be profitable to continue to fund the revival and upkeep of a traditional movie palace. Downtown Philadelphia, where the Boyd is located at, is a prime commercial location for other business ventures.
November 2014
March 2015
2017
The Boyd Theatre opens! The Boyd Theatre officially opened on December 25, 1928. It was owned by Alexander R. Boyd, a veteran of theatre construction and ownership.
Boyd sold to Stanley Co. who sold to Warner Bros. soon after opening
Warner Bros. relinquished Stanley Warner Theatres because of antitrust laws
Became RKO Stanley Warner Theatres
Local architect William Howard Lee renovated theatre to feature a curved marquee, new ticket booth, and larger movie screen
Boyd Theatre was sold to the Sameric Group and renamed to the Sam Eric Theatre
Expanded to 4 auditoriums total
Sameric Corporation sold the theatre and other theatres to the United Artists Circuit
The Goldenberg Group, made up of local developers, purchased Boyd from United Artists.
Goldenberg obtained a demolition permit.
Committee to Save the Sameric formed. Nonprofit organization Friends of the Boyd, inc. would later join this group.
Clear Channel, Inc. purchased the Boyd Theatre and began talks for restoration to be used as an actual theatre with a film program.
Clear Channel’s theatres branched off into their own independent company: Live Nation.
Restoration work ceased
The Boyd Theatre was included in the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places
Also listed as one of the most endangered historic places
Live Nation wanted to sell the theatre to developer Neal Rodin to lease to iPic thetres under the condition that the Philadelphia HIstorical Commission gives permission to demolish all but the Boyd’s facade.
Friends of the Boyd offered Live Nation 4.5 million dollars to match the sale price. The money came from an anonymous foundation.
Philadelphia Historical Commission approved the demolition permit via an economic hardship application.
Live Nation began gutting the auditorium, which some believe was a move done to make an appeal of the PHC ruling less likely.
Pearl Properties purchased Boyd Theatre from Live nation for 4.5 million dollars.
Demolition of the auditorium began
Construction on a residential tower where the auditorium was began.
The plan is to glass in the outdoor part of the surviving Boyd facade and use it and the old grand lobby as part of a restaurant.
