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 historic building in downtown San Diego, California. It was built in 1924 as a place for live shows and movies. In 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. After a big renovation that started in 2005, the Balboa Theatre reopened in 2008. Today, it is a popular spot for many kinds of performances.
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History of the Balboa Theatre
The Balboa Theatre was built in 1924. A businessman named Robert E. Hicks, along with architect William H. Wheeler and the Wurster Construction Company, spent $800,000 to create it. This grand building was designed in a mix of Moorish and Spanish Revival styles. It originally had 1,513 seats and even featured small waterfalls by the stage to help cool the air.
Early Days: Vaudeville and Movies
The Balboa Theatre was part of the Fox West Coast circuit. It showed live vaudeville acts and movies. An orchestra and a large organ played music for the shows. An article from the American Theatre Organ Society mentions that Edward Swan was the organist in 1925-1926. He said the original Robert Morton organ, with 426 pipes, was the best he had ever played.
In 1930, the theatre was updated for "sound pictures" (movies with sound). A new bright neon sign was also added outside. By 1934, it was remodeled again and renamed Teatro Balboa. At this time, it mostly showed Spanish-language films. During World War II, the theatre's office spaces were used to house members of the U.S. Navy.
Challenges and Historic Status
After World War II, the Balboa Theatre became less popular as a movie house. In 1959, the Russo family bought it. Because of its important history and beautiful design, the Balboa was named a local historic site in 1972.
There were plans to restore the building as a theatre in 1973. However, the City of San Diego later decided to take control of the building. The Centre City Development Corporation (CCDC) planned to remove the inside of the theatre to create retail shops.
Saving and Restoring the Balboa Theatre
In 1985, a small group of people, led by Steve Karo, formed the "Save Our Balboa Organization." They worked hard to stop the theatre from being destroyed and to support its restoration. The group gained a lot of public support. They eventually succeeded in their long fight to save the theatre.
Becoming a National Historic Place
The Save Our Balboa Organization grew into the Balboa Theatre Foundation. This foundation continued to push for the theatre's restoration. In 1996, they successfully had the Balboa Theatre listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This was a big step in protecting the building.
After twenty years, the CCDC changed its mind. They decided to pay for a full restoration of the theatre. The project began in 2005 and cost $26.5 million. The CCDC worked with restoration architects Westlake Reed Leskosky (now DLR Group). The theatre officially reopened in 2008. It is now a wonderful place for live theatre and concerts.
The Wonder Morton Organ
In 2009, after a lot of work, the Balboa Theatre Foundation brought a special 1929 Wonder Morton organ to the theatre. This type of organ is very rare, with only four in the world. The Foundation bought, restored, and moved the organ from Pennsylvania to the Balboa Theatre. This restoration took five years. The theatre's original Robert Morton organ had been moved to the Fox Theatre (now Copley Symphony Hall) in 1929.
What Happens at the Balboa Theatre Today?
Today, the Balboa Theatre is a busy performing arts venue. It hosts the Mainly Mozart Festival, which features classical music. Many special events and touring Broadway shows also come to the theatre. The city of San Diego even holds its yearly "State of the City" address at the Balboa Theatre.
Images for kids
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The Balboa Theatre in San Diego.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Balboa para niños
