Aztec Theatre (San Antonio) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Aztec Theatre

Aztec on the River
Exterior view of venue (c.2016)
Address	104 N St Mary's St San Antonio, TX 78205-2209
Location	Downtown San Antonio
Owner	Aztec Family Group
Operator	Live Nation
Capacity	1,477
Construction
Opened	June 4, 1926 (1926-06-04)
Renovated	2007-09, 2013-14
Closed	1989-2009; 2012-14
Construction cost	$1.75 million ($29.9 million in 2022 dollars )
Architect	Meyer & Holler
Aztec Theatre
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Architect	Kelly, Robert B.; Pianta, Hannibal
Architectural style	Mesoamerican
NRHP reference No.	92001403
Added to NRHP	October 22, 1992

The Aztec Theatre is a historic building in downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. It started as a grand movie theater. Today, it is a popular place for concerts and other live events.

History of the Aztec Theatre

Building a Grand Theater

The Aztec Theatre in December 2003, when it was closed.

The Aztec Theatre was built in 1926. It was one of many amazing movie palaces built in the 1920s. These theaters were very fancy and had special themes. The Aztec Theatre cost $1.75 million to build. This was a lot of money back then!

The theater was part of a group of famous theaters in San Antonio. This group included the Empire, the Texas, the Majestic, and the Alameda.

Changes and Reopening

For many years, the Aztec Theatre was very popular. But by the 1970s, fewer people were going there. It was even split into three smaller movie rooms. In 1989, the Aztec Theatre closed its doors.

Luckily, the theater was saved from being torn down. In October 1992, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This special list helps protect important buildings.

The Aztec Theatre is located right by San Antonio's famous River Walk. In August 2009, it reopened as a place for concerts. A live show called San Antonio Rose Live played there. It featured country, swing, and gospel music. This show closed in 2012.

New Life for the Aztec

In September 2013, new people took over the theater. They wanted to make it a place for many different events. It started hosting public and private parties, along with music shows.

In 2015, a company called LiveNation bought the Aztec Theatre. They started bringing in many concerts, comedy shows, and other live events. The theater also hosts company events, private concerts, and even weddings. In 2020, a new outdoor terrace was added. This terrace overlooks the River Walk and can be rented for events.

Amazing Design and Art

Unique Architecture

The theatre viewed from the River Walk in 2017

The Aztec Theatre was designed by a company called Meyer & Holler. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992. The inside of the theater is full of bright colors. It has sculptures, furniture, and paintings. Many of these are copies of ancient art from Central and South America. This art comes from cultures like the Aztec, Mixtec, Zapotec, Toltec, and Mayan people.

Special Features Inside

In front of the stage, there is a large, original fire screen. This is a painting that shows a famous meeting. It shows the Aztec ruler Montezuma II meeting the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés in 1519. The whole theater is decorated with designs and symbols inspired by these ancient cultures. The theater itself is inside a six-story office building.

In the lobby, there is a huge chandelier. It weighs three tons! This amazing light fixture was added in 1929. It has been fully fixed up by the grandson of the person who first designed it. The chandelier was put in on the same day the stock market crashed in 1929.

The Aztec Theatre is even mentioned in a famous travel book. It is listed in Patricia Schultz's book, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

Performers Who Have Played Here

Many famous artists and groups have performed at the Aztec Theatre. Here are some of them:

See also

• House Of Blues
• LiveNation
• San Antonio Conservation Society