In the early 20th century, following the development of the entertainment industry, hundreds of auditoriums were built everywhere in North America. Major entertainment firms and movie studios commissioned specialized architects to build grandiose and extravagant theaters.
From the 60’s, TV, multiplexes and urban crisis made them becoming obsolete.
During the following decades, when they were not modernized or transformed into adult cinemas, they closed one after the other and many of them were simply demolished.
Those which remain forgotten, escaping from this fate, were converted to varied purposes.
Now, many are reused as churches, retail, flea markets, bingo halls, discos, supermarkets or warehouses. Some others just sit abandoned.
This work, started in 2005, is currently in progress.
The Pantages Theatre in Vancouver is an old vaudeville theatre that has long abandoned and boarded up, it’s slated for demolition this year. im hoping to go in and salvage some of the moldings and fixtures before it goes down. sad to see it go.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronrts/sets/72157624413250903/