Balboa Theatre facts for kids
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| Address | 868 Fourth Avenue San Diego, California United States |
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| Owner | City of San Diego |
| Operator | San Diego Theatres |
| Capacity | 1,339 |
| Current use | performing arts venue |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1924 |
| Reopened | 2008 |
| Architect | Wheeler, William H.; Wurster Construction Co. et al. |
| Website | |
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Balboa Theatre
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 Location in San Diego
Location in San Diego County, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001177 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 24, 1996 |
The Balboa Theatre is a famous old theater in downtown San Diego, California. It first opened its doors in 1924. This special building was once a place for movies and live shows called vaudeville. In 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a very important historical site. After a big renovation that started in 2005, the Balboa Theatre reopened in 2008. Today, it's a popular spot for many different kinds of live performances.
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The Balboa Theatre's Early Days
The Balboa Theatre was built in 1924. A businessman named Robert E. Hicks helped create it. The architect was William H. Wheeler. The Wurster Construction Company built it for about $800,000.
Design and Features
This grand theater was designed to look like a palace. It mixed Moorish and Spanish Revival styles. It had one balcony and could seat 1,513 people. There were even waterfalls on both sides of the stage. These waterfalls helped cool the air inside the theater.
Movies, Vaudeville, and Music
The Balboa Theatre was part of the Fox West Coast circuit. It showed live vaudeville acts and movies. An orchestra and an organ played music for the shows.
In 1925-1926, Edward Swan was the organist. He said the original Robert Morton organ was the best he had ever played. It had 426 pipes and an echo organ above the balcony. He often played for 10 to 12 hours a day.
In 1930, the theater was updated for "sound pictures." These were movies with sound. A new neon sign was also added outside.
Changes Over Time
In 1934, the theater was remodeled. It reopened as Teatro Balboa. At this time, it mainly showed Spanish-language films. During World War II, the theater's office spaces were used as housing for the U.S. Navy.
After the war, the Balboa Theatre continued as a movie house. In 1959, the Russo family bought it. Because of its rich history and beautiful design, the Balboa Theatre was named a historic site in 1972.
Saving the Theater
A plan in 1973 called for the theater to be fully restored. However, the City of San Diego instead decided to take over the building. They planned to remove the inside and build four floors of shops.
Bringing the Balboa Theatre Back to Life
In 1985, a small group of people formed the "Save Our Balboa Organization." They worked hard to stop the theater from being destroyed. This group gained a lot of public support. They eventually succeeded in stopping the plans to tear down the theater.
The Restoration Project
The "Save Our Balboa Organization" later became the Balboa Theatre Foundation. They kept working to get the theater restored. In 1996, they successfully had the Balboa Theatre listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
After 20 years, the Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) changed its mind. They decided to pay for a full restoration. This project started in 2005 and cost $26.5 million. They worked with special architects who focused on restoring old buildings.
The theater reopened in 2008. It is now a popular place for live theater shows and concerts.
A Special Organ Returns
In 2009, after a lot of work, the Balboa Theatre Foundation brought back a special organ. It was a 1929 Wonder Morton organ. There are only four such organs in the world. The Foundation bought and restored this organ. It was moved from Pennsylvania to the Balboa Theatre. The original Robert Morton organ had been moved to the Fox Theatre in 1929. That theater is now called Jacobs Music Center.
The Balboa Theatre Today
Today, the Balboa Theatre is a busy performing arts venue. It hosts the Mainly Mozart Festival. Many special events and touring Broadway shows also come to the theater. The city of San Diego also holds its yearly "State of the City" address there.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Balboa para niños
