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| {{Infobox building | {{Infobox building | ||
| | name = Downtown Jewelry Exchange | | name = Downtown Jewelry Exchange | ||
| | image = |
| image = Jewelry Theater Center, 7th & Hill, Los Angeles.jpg | ||
| | caption = The building |
| caption = The building in 2012 | ||
| | former_names = Pantages Theatre<br>Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre<br>Warrens Theatre | | former_names = Pantages Theatre<br>Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre<br>Warrens Theatre | ||
| | address = 401 W. ]and 651 S. ], ] | | address = 401 W. ] and 651 S. ], ] | ||
| | coordinates = {{Coord|34.04615|-118.2545|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | | coordinates = {{Coord|34.04615|-118.2545|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | ||
| | opened = August 17, 1920 | | opened = August 17, 1920 | ||
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| In 1929, Pantages sold all its theaters to ], who then sold this theater to ].<ref name=wandp/> It then became Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre, whose first screening was '']''.<ref name=dtlaweekly/> Warner Brothers owned and operated the theater until the 1960s, when it was bought by ], who renamed it Warrens Theatre and operated it until 1975.<ref name=conservancy>{{cite web |title=Downtown Jewelry Exchange/Warner Bros. Theatre |publisher=] |accessdate=December 12, 2024 |url=https://www.laconservancy.org/learn/historic-places/downtown-jewelry-exchange-warner-bros-theatre/}}</ref> | In 1929, Pantages sold all its theaters to ], who then sold this theater to ].<ref name=wandp/> It then became Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre, whose first screening was '']''.<ref name=dtlaweekly/> Warner Brothers owned and operated the theater until the 1960s, when it was bought by ], who renamed it Warrens Theatre and operated it until 1975.<ref name=conservancy>{{cite web |title=Downtown Jewelry Exchange/Warner Bros. Theatre |publisher=] |accessdate=December 12, 2024 |url=https://www.laconservancy.org/learn/historic-places/downtown-jewelry-exchange-warner-bros-theatre/}}</ref> | ||
| After Metropolitan Theatres sold the theater, it was used as a church, then in 1978, it became a retail outlet for ] as the neighborhood became the ]. At this point, the main floor auditorium seats were removed, although the balcony and interior theater decorations |
After Metropolitan Theatres sold the theater, it was used as a church, then in 1978, it became a retail outlet for ] as the neighborhood became the ]. At this point, the main floor auditorium seats were removed, although the balcony and interior theater decorations remain.<ref name=wandp/><ref name=broadwaywest>{{cite web |title=Downtown Decoded: The Old Warner |publisher=] |accessdate=December 12, 2024 |url=https://www.bwaywest.org/post/downtown-decoded-the-old-warner}}</ref> | ||
| In 2016, the building was listed as a ] in the ] |
In 2016, the building was listed as a ] in both the ]<ref name=hpla>{{cite web |title=Historic District - Hill Street Commercial Historic District |publisher=] |date=August 31, 2016 |url=https://hpla.lacity.org/report/c008328e-2c96-4981-9f31-e5777471e824}}</ref> and the ].<ref name=hpla2>{{cite web |title=Historic District - Seventh Street Commercial Historic District |publisher=] |date=August 31, 2016 |url=https://hpla.lacity.org/report/e56f5fc4-1aec-4a67-abaa-2eb98bc85b72}}</ref> | ||
| ==Architecture and design== | ==Architecture and design== | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
| ==Filming location== | ==Filming location== | ||
| The opening theater shots in '']'' were |
The opening theater shots in '']'' were filmed in this theater. '']'' features a scene on the building's roof and the theater ] is also shown briefly.<ref name=wandp/> | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 23:10, 18 December 2024
Historic building and former theater in downtown Los Angeles, California, United States "Warrens Theatre" redirects here. For the former movie theater chain in Kansas, see Warren Theatres.| Downtown Jewelry Exchange | |
|---|---|
 The building in 2012 | |
| Former names | Pantages Theatre Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre Warrens Theatre |
| General information | |
| Address | 401 W. 7th Street and 651 S. Hill, Los Angeles |
| Coordinates | 34°02′46″N 118°15′16″W / 34.04615°N 118.2545°W / 34.04615; -118.2545 |
| Opened | August 17, 1920 |
| Renovated | 1975 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | B. Marcus Priteca |
Downtown Jewelry Exchange, formerly Pantages Theatre, Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre, and Warrens Theatre, is a historic nine-story building and former vaudeville theater and movie palace located on the corner of 7th and Hill in the Jewelry District in downtown Los Angeles.
History
Downtown Jewelry Exchange was designed by B. Marcus Priteca, built as Pantages Theatre, and opened with vaudeville and a screening of The Courage of Marge O'Doone on August 17, 1920. The theater sat 2200 and was the second home of the Pantages circuit, after they left the nearby Arcade Theatre. This building, which was nine-stories in height, also housed shops and offices.
In 1929, Pantages sold all its theaters to RKO, who then sold this theater to Warner Brothers. It then became Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre, whose first screening was Gold Diggers of Broadway. Warner Brothers owned and operated the theater until the 1960s, when it was bought by Metropolitan Theatres, who renamed it Warrens Theatre and operated it until 1975.
After Metropolitan Theatres sold the theater, it was used as a church, then in 1978, it became a retail outlet for The Jewelry Exchange as the neighborhood became the Jewelry District. At this point, the main floor auditorium seats were removed, although the balcony and interior theater decorations remain.
In 2016, the building was listed as a contributing property in both the Hill Street Commercial Historic District and the Seventh Street Commercial Historic District.
Architecture and design
Downtown Jewelry Exchange is steel-frame and features a Beaux Arts design with additional Greek treatments. The exterior was covered in white terra cotta and features a corner marquee, above which is an imposing domed corner tower. The words "Warner Bros. Downtown Bldg" remain on the parapet, even though Warner Brothers no longer owns the building.
Inside, much of the original baroque ornamentation remains. The theater ceiling is covered in a sunburst mural surrounded by Egyptian, Oriental, Greek, and Roman figures, and the stage is flanked by Corinthian columns.
Filming location
The opening theater shots in Funny Girl were filmed in this theater. Lady Killer features a scene on the building's roof and the theater marquee is also shown briefly.
References
- ^ Reyes, Alan (February 5, 2016). "Monuments in Time – Warner Brothers Theater". DT Weekly.
- Gabel, William. "Warrens Theatre". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ "Early Los Angeles Historical Buildings (1925 +)". Water and Power Associates. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Downtown Jewelry Exchange/Warner Bros. Theatre". Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- "Downtown Decoded: The Old Warner". Broadway West. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- "Historic District - Hill Street Commercial Historic District". City of Los Angeles. August 31, 2016.
- "Historic District - Seventh Street Commercial Historic District". City of Los Angeles. August 31, 2016.
- "Early Los Angeles City Views (1925 +)". Water and Power Associates. p. 5. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
| Movie theaters in Los Angeles | |||||
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- Buildings and structures in Downtown Los Angeles
- Former cinemas and movie theaters in Los Angeles
- Theatres completed in 1920
- Commercial buildings completed in 1920
- 1920s architecture in the United States
- 1920 establishments in California
- 1975 disestablishments in California
- Historic district contributing properties in California
- B. Marcus Priteca buildings
- Movie palaces
- Beaux-Arts architecture in California