Avenue Theatre
2650 San Bruno Avenue,
San Francisco,
CA
94134
2650 San Bruno Avenue,
San Francisco,
CA
94134
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Ackerman and Harris
Architects: James Reid, Merritt Reid
Firms: Reid Brothers
Functions: Church
Styles: Art Deco
Nearby Theaters
The Avenue Theatre was opened July 20, 1927 with Charles Murray in “McFadden’s Flats”. It was built for and operated by Ackerman & Harris. In the mid-1960’s it was taken over by the Lyric Photoplay Film Society and in 1966 they installed a Wurlitzer 3 manual 16 ranks theatre organ which had originally been installed in the State Lake Theatre, Chicago, IL. On October 7, 1966 organist Tom Hazelton opened the instrument by accompanying it to the silent version of “The Lost World”.
The Avenue Theatre was closed December 22, 1984. The Wurlitzer organ has been put into storage.
Contributed by
Juan-Miguel Gallegos
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Recent comments (view all 39 comments)
Tructus, is there a website for the neighborhood group? Or do you know what plans/time tables they have?
The Avenue’s facade, marquee, and neon vertical sign are receiving a full restoration. There are no plans published for interior restoration or future use, but the interior remains mostly intact according to the Portola Planet. See link below:
http://portolaplanet.com/2017/05/renew-avenue-theater-facade-restored/
Does anyone know when The Avenue started showing silents, I think around ‘65 or '66, but I’d like to know the actual date.
Current article about neon renovations.
http://www.sfweekly.com/news/feature/neon-revival-portolas-avenue-theater-returns/
Another article with pics & video.
http://portolaplanet.com/2017/08/solving-avenues-neon-color-mystery/
Update.
http://hoodline.com/2017/09/avenue-theater-neon-unveiling
Follow up article to DavidZorning’s update in SFChronicle of the Avenue’s refurbished neon blade and lighting ceremony a couple of nights ago.
We posted some photos of the current condition of the Theater’s auditorium space on our community blog. I toured the space and it’s in relatively good condition. Follow the link to see the images:
www.portolaplanet.com/2018/01/wondering-whats-left-avenue-theaters-auditorium-see/
4 new photos added from SF Public Library and Found SF.
Here is an item that is probably about this house, from the November 20, 1926 issue of Moving Picture World: “Contracts have been awarded by Ackerman & Harris, Phelan Building, for the erection of a moving picture house on San Bruno avenue, near Burrows street, San Francisco. The theatre will be known as ‘The Boulevard,’ seating capacity l,600.”
This item about the opening of the house appeared in Film Daily on July 20, 1927: “San Francisco- The Avenue, a new Ackerman and Harris house on San Bruno Ave. between Burrows and Bacon Sts. opens today. It cost $200,000.”
These are just two of several period sources noting that the Avenue was built for and originally operated by Ackerman & Harris, not the Levin Bros. circuit.