Westhampton Theatre

5706 Grove Avenue,
Richmond, VA 23226

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Cineplex Odeon, Neighborhood Theatres, Regal Entertainment Group

Architects: A.O. Budina

Styles: Colonial Revival

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News About This Theater

Westhampton Theatre

The Westhampton Theatre is a 1938 built movie house that was originally a single screen theatre with a balcony. It opened on March 5, 1938 with Joel McCrea in “Wells Fargo”.

On December 18, 1981 the balcony was converted to a second screen.

The Westhampton Theatre was last operated by Regal showing foreign and independent films that would otherwise not be seen in Richmond. It was closed March 20, 2016 and was due to be converted into retail and office space. However it was demolished in December 2016.

Contributed by Neal Jackson

Recent comments (view all 23 comments)

rivest266
rivest266 on April 15, 2013 at 1:24 am

This opened on March 5th, 1938. It’s grand opening ad has been uploaded in the photo section.

bufffilmbuff
bufffilmbuff on June 18, 2014 at 5:04 am

Rumor has it that the Westhampton will close at the end of this summer and be demolished. Can anyone confirm this?

Mike Richardson
Mike Richardson on January 27, 2015 at 12:15 am

Article from Richmond.com scheduled to close this year.

http://www.richmond.com/business/local/article_a4bc37f6-32a1-5122-8def-7662f8708a14.html

jhuber1111
jhuber1111 on January 27, 2015 at 3:52 pm

That is sad news, there have been rumors it would close for several years. But it is still open at the moment and I urge anyone who hasn’t been there to go and check it out before it closes. There are some wonderful architectural details inside. This theater has anchored this vibrant neighborhood for over 75 years and it will be sorely missed.

bufffilmbuff
bufffilmbuff on February 8, 2016 at 6:12 pm

The most recent news I heard is that this theater will close in May. Has anyone heard any updates?

jhuber1111
jhuber1111 on March 21, 2016 at 1:00 pm

The Westhampton closed last night (March 20, 2016). There was no advance notice, although it was well known that it would close sometime this year. I saw a lot of good movies there over the past 45 years, but recently attendance had dropped. There is a lot of competition these days for the entertainment dollar and it is a little surprising that this theater lasted for 78 years. There are a lot of good memories wrapped up in the place and I’ll miss it!

bufffilmbuff
bufffilmbuff on March 30, 2016 at 3:37 pm

Sad to see this theater close as it is the last first run theater in town that is not an ugly multiplex. I have a long history with the Westhampton going back to November of 1967 when I first visited there to see GONE WITH THE WIND. I have certainly spent many hours over the last five decades there as movies and exhibition styles have changed.

menright
menright on March 30, 2016 at 5:05 pm

Was on business in town about 16 or 17 years ago and had the good fortune to catch a movie there (plus a few at The Byrd).

jhuber1111
jhuber1111 on July 6, 2017 at 6:25 pm

I’m sorry to report that the Westhampton Theater building was torn down about six months ago. The developer said something about preserving the façade of the building, but there’s nothing left to preserve now. It’s sad, it was a lovely old art deco building and a local landmark. It was in excellent condition right up until the last.

rivest266
rivest266 on September 26, 2022 at 7:53 pm

Became a twinplex on December 18th, 1981. Grand opening ad posted.

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