New Granada Theater facts for kids
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New Granada Theater
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 Location in Pittsburgh
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2007 Centre Avenue (Hill District), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
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| Built | 1927 and 1928 |
| Architect | Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 10001071 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 27, 2010 |
The New Granada Theater is a cool old building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's located in the Hill District neighborhood at 2007 Centre Avenue. This theater was built a long time ago, between 1927 and 1928.
Contents
History of the New Granada Theater
The theater has a special look called Art Deco. A talented architect named Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger designed it. When it was first built, it wasn't a theater at all! It was a Pythian Temple. This was a meeting place for a group called the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. They were a special club, like a brotherhood. This building was the meeting spot for a group of African American construction workers who were part of the Knights of Pythias.
From Temple to Theater
In the 1930s, the building was sold to a person named Harry Hendel. He already owned another Granada Theater nearby. He moved his theater business to this new, bigger building.
The building got a big makeover in 1937 and 1938. An architect named Alfred M. Marks helped with the changes. After the makeover, it became the New Granada Theater. It was a place where people could watch movies. But it was also famous for live shows, music, and dancing!
Famous Performers at the Theater
Many famous Jazz musicians played at the New Granada Theater. Imagine seeing legends like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Cab Calloway perform live on its stage! It was a very important place for music and entertainment in Pittsburgh.
A Historic Landmark
The New Granada Theater is a very important building. It has been recognized as a historic place many times:
- It was added to the List of City of Pittsburgh historic designations on October 8, 2004. This means the city of Pittsburgh wants to protect it.
- It was also added to the List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks in 2007. This group helps save important buildings.
- Finally, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 2010. This is a list of places across the whole USA that are important to history.
