National Theater (Richmond, Virginia)
The National Theater is a historic theater in Richmond, Virginia. Part of a city block along the 700 block of Broad Street once known as Theatre Row, it is the only surviving auditorium of the row (the others now exist in facade only).
Address | 708 E Broad St |
---|---|
Location | Richmond, Virginia |
Owner | AEG Live |
Operator | AEG Live |
Type | Theater |
Capacity | 1,500 |
Construction | |
Opened | 1923 |
Renovated | 2009 |
Website | |
www | |
National Theater | |
Postcard view of "Theatrical District, Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia", c. 1923 | |
Location | 700-710 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia |
Coordinates | 37°32′30″N 77°26′9″W |
Area | less than one acre |
Architect | Claude K. Howell; Ferruccio Legnaioli |
Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 03000188 [1] |
VLR No. | 127-0178 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | April 02, 2003 |
Designated VLR | December 4, 2002[2] |
The National Theater was built in 1923, originally staging both live entertainment (such as vaudeville shows) as well as motion-pictures.[3] In 1968, it was converted into a dedicated cinema, which closed on September 5, 1983.[3]
Restored and reopened in 2008 by RIC Capital Ventures, the theater, operating as The National, is used as a performing arts and music venue.[4] In 2014, the venue was acquired by AEG Live.[5][6]
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and is located in the Grace Street Commercial Historic District.[1]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
- "National Theater Final Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- "Official website". The National. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- Schwartz, Michael (2014-10-06). "The National's owners bow out". Richmond BizSense. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
- Baldwin, Brent (2014-10-08). "A Concert Powerhouse". Style Weekly. Retrieved 2015-04-05.