Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Identify this Richmond VA building

This is topic Identify this Richmond VA building in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 01-28-2007, 05:23 PM:

This building is on West Carey near the Byrd Theatre in Richmond, Virginia. Was it a theater? Photo taken June 1992 when it was an appliance repair store.

Posted by Cory Isemann (Member # 2517) on 01-28-2007, 08:05 PM:

I haven't a clue. I bet Bill knows.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 01-28-2007, 09:05 PM:

This building is the former Carillon Theatre. Built in the mid "30s and operated by the Wilmer and Vincent chain. Always a sub run house, it seated around 400. Closed in the early '60s, it first became a small appliance repair and parts facility, then empty for around 6 years it was converted into small shops all but one of which front on the side street, Colonial Ave. During the appliance shop period the seats near the front of the auditorium were still below the leveled floor, the proscenium was still there too. On the last renovation, everything was removed. This photo must have been taken very shortly before the appliance shop closed.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 02-02-2007, 11:57 PM:

Thanks, Bill.

Now how about this one? It appears to be the building to the right of the National Theatre. Photo from June 1992. Maybe [what's left of] the State or Grand?

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 02-03-2007, 11:54 AM:

This is the Colonial Theatre, or at least the front wall, the rest having been demolished to make way for an office building. The facade of the theatre in the pic was incorporated into the facade of the new building. The Colonial in the photo was the second theatre of that name to occupy the space. The first was built early in the 1900's, this one in '22 I believe. Its decor was modest and it had stadium seating with capacity of around 2200. It was built as a movie house. The projection booth was just that, a booth just large enough to house two projectors, rewind equipment. One had to turn sideways and squeeze to get past the lamp houses. The booth looked like an after thought, like it was forgotten and added later. The theatre closed around 1980. As far as I know, it was pretty much original and in fairly good shape when it closed.

The Colonial was on a block that contained from west to east the National Theatre (still standing and being renovated) the State, (demolished along with the Colonial) and the Colonial. Along the north side of Broad Street in four blocks once stood the Grand, National, State, Colonial, Lubin, Strand, Isis, and one other the name of which I don't remember. All are now gone except the National.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 02-03-2007, 04:51 PM:

Thanks for your help again!

I posted quite a few photos from 1992 of Richmond theaters to Cinematour today.

The list of theaters should be fairly complete, although you mentioned the Lubin and Isis, which I don't have any info on yet.

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 02-03-2007, 09:02 PM:

The Lubin and Isis may have been the same building, I know the Isis building closed as the Park, I'll check.