Finnkino Forum

The retail building was built in 1890 and was designed by architect August Nordberg. In 1925 architect Waino Palmquist designed a cinema which occupied the old courtyard of the building. The interior decoration for the new cinema was by interior designer/architect Hilding Ekelund. Artist Tiovo Vikstredt painted the ceiling fresco’s. The Capitol Theatre opened in October 1926. It was the largest movie theatre in Finland at that time, with 938 seats. The first sound film presented in Finland was shown at the theatre on September 19, 1929, and was Al Jolson in “The Singing Fool”.

It was taken over by the Soviet-owned Kosmos-Filmi Oy after World War II and was primarily screening Soviet movies. It was modernised in 1966, which removed some of the original decorations, not helped by a fire which began during renovations.

Eventually the Capitol Theatre was sold to Finnish movie theatre chain Kinosto Oy. It was renovated in 1982-1985, and six additional screens were added. It became part of the Forum shopping mall complex and was renamed as ‘Forum 7’. The Forum 7 was the first multiplex theater in Finland. The original Capitol Theatre was the largest screen and was known as ‘Forum 1’.

In 1986, Kinosto merged with 34 other companies to form Finnkino.

When the larger Kinopalatsi and Tennispalatsi multiplexes were opened in November 1998 and February 1999, respectively, the theatre started to lose customers.

It was shut down and partially demolished in June 2006, with the exception of the original Capitol Theatre, which now houses event restaurant Apollo Live Club. It is a partially heritage listed building.

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