United Artists Theatre (Portland, Oregon)

United Artists Theatre, originally known as the Majestic Theatre, was a movie palace in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was the first establishment in Portland exclusively intended for motion picture screening.

United Artists Theatre
Majestic Theatre marquee, showing D. W. Griffith's Dream Street in 1921
Former namesMajestic Theatre
Address739 SW Washington Street
LocationPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates45.5210°N 122.6797°W / 45.5210; -122.6797
Construction
OpenedJune 10, 1911 (1911-06-10)
Renovated1929
Closed1955
Demolished1957

History

The Majestic Theatre opened as Portland's first "palace" for motion pictures on June 10, 1911, at the northeast corner of Southwest Park Avenue and Washington Street.[1] The venue contained 1,100 seats.[1] It was originally owned by Edwin F. James.[2]

In 1929, ownership transferred to J. J. Parker Theatres; the company renovated the venue and changes its name to United Artists Theatre.[1] The building was designed by Bennes and Herzog, who are also credited for designing Portland's Hollywood Theatre. During the renovation, offices on the second floor were converted into a lounge measuring 40 feet (12 m) by 100 feet (30 m). In addition, the interior was refitted.[1] Mayor George Luis Baker spoke at the venue's rededication ceremony on September 29, 1928. The theatre closed in 1955 and was demolished in 1957.[1]

The site is now occupied by the Union Bank Tower (formerly known as the Bank of California building), built in 1967–1969.[1]

References
  1. Lacher, Gary; Stone, Steve (2009). Theatres of Portland. Mount Pleasant, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 27–28. ISBN 978-1-439-63831-6.
  2. "Portland, Oregon Looks Back Over Ten Years". The Moving Picture World. New York City. 29: 409. July 15, 1916. OCLC 1717051 – via Google Books.
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