Harding Theater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harding Theater |
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The building in 2022
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| General information | |
| Type | Theater |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Moorish |
| Location | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Completed | 1926 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Reid Brothers |
| Main contractor | Samuel H. Levin |
The Harding Theater is a cool old movie theater found at 616 Divisadero Street in San Francisco, California. It was finished way back in 1926. Today, it's a fun place called the Emporium Arcade Bar, which opened in 2017.
History of the Harding Theater
The Harding Theater was built in 1926 by a local theater owner named Samuel H. Levin. He hired the famous architects, Reid Brothers, to design it. The theater first opened its doors on April 8, 1926. The very first movie shown there was Irene, starring Colleen Moore.
Like other buildings designed by the Reid Brothers, this theater could hold many people. It had space for about 800 to 1200 guests. The Harding Theater showed movies for a long time, from 1926 until 1970. A music group called Lamplighters Music Theatre also performed there from 1961 to 1968. The famous band Grateful Dead even played concerts at the theater on November 6 and 7, 1971.
After being a movie theater, the building was used as a church from the mid-1970s until 2004. Around 2004, some developers bought the building.
Saving the Theater
For many years, people wanted to save the Harding Theater. It's a historic building, and many thought it should be protected. There were plans to change parts of the building. One idea was to build apartments behind the theater. This plan aimed to keep the main theater area and its beautiful lobby.
However, people who cared about saving old buildings worried about these plans. They felt that changing the theater too much would ruin its history. They wanted to make sure the building stayed as original as possible.
In 2005, there was a big discussion about the theater's future. People worked hard to stop plans that would change the building too much. They wanted to make sure the theater's history was respected.
Later, in 2008, the city decided that a special study was needed before any big changes could happen. This study would look at how any changes might affect the historic building. A group of people who wanted to save the theater hoped to turn it into a place for indie movies and live shows.
In November 2010, something fun happened: pictures of laser cats were painted on the theater's boarded-up entrance!
New Life as an Arcade Bar
After being empty for ten years, the theater finally got a new purpose in 2015. A company from Chicago, Emporium Arcade Bar, wanted to open an arcade bar there. They planned to fill the space with vintage arcade games, a bar, and live music.
The Emporium Arcade Bar officially opened in December 2017. The new tenants cleaned up the old building. They removed things that were falling apart, like the old seats. But they also worked to keep and fix the historic parts of the theater. Now, it's a lively spot where people can play games and enjoy music.
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