Altria Theater

Last updated

Altria Theater
Landmark Theater Richmond Virginia.jpg
Exterior of the venue (c.2003)
Altria Theater
Former namesAcca Temple Shrine (1928-40)
Mosque Theater (1940-95)
Landmark Theater (1995-2014)
Address6 N Laurel St
Richmond, VA 23220-4700
Location Virginia Commonwealth University
OwnerCity of Richmond
Capacity 3,565
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 7, 1926
OpenedOctober 28, 1927
RebuiltDuring 2013 and 2014
Construction cost$1.65 million
($28.4 million in 2023 dollars [1] )
Architect
Website
Venue Website
The Mosque
Part of Monroe Park Historic District [2] (ID84003572)
Designated CPJuly 05, 1984 [3]

The Altria Theater, sometimes referred to as "the Mosque," in Richmond, Virginia, United States is a theater at the southwest corner of Monroe Park on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, and is the largest venue of Richmond CenterStage's performing arts complex. Formerly known as The Mosque and the Landmark Theater, the Altria Theater was originally built for Shriners of the Acca Temple Shrine.

Contents

In 1940, the building was purchased by the City of Richmond, which converted much of its interior for municipal use. The Richmond Police Department occupied the theater's basement, where they opened up office space, classrooms, a gymnasium, and a shooting range for the police academy. An underground swimming pool was also maintained, initially for training purposes, until it was filled in with concrete during the 2014 renovation. [4] [5] Many are familiar with the basement of the Mosque as the location for VCU class registration, which occurred several times each year.

The name of the theater was changed in 1995 from "The Mosque" to "Landmark Theater" following a year of restoration. [6] After a $10 million renovation gift from the company, the theater was officially dubbed the Altria Theater in February 2014. [7] It annually plays host to big-name musical and theatrical performers.

The theater was designed in Moorish Revival style by Marcellus E. Wright Sr. in association with Charles M. Robinson and Charles Custer Robinson circa 1925. J. R. Ray, of the Richmond Tile and Mosaic Works, was responsible for the widely used ornamental tile, and J. Frank Jones, of the Rambusch Decorating Company, oversaw the interior decoration. The building officially opened in 1927, and was dedicated by the Shriners in 1928. [8] [9]

Performers such as Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Burr, Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Roy Buchanan, B. B. King, Widespread Panic and The Supremes held shows at this venue. Notable Broadway performances such as Wicked , The Lion King , Les Miserables , and Cats have also been past visitors of The Altria Theater. [10]

Statistics

2023 shooting

On June 6, 2023, a shooting occurred during the graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School. Richmond Public Schools canceled the graduation ceremony for Thomas Jefferson High School that evening following the shooting, and RPS was fully closed the following day. Two suspects were taken into custody. One suspect was arrested while a second was cleared and released. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vander Veer Botanical Park</span> Botanical garden in Davenport, Iowa, U.S.

The Vander Veer Botanical Park is a 33-acre (130,000 m2) botanical garden in the Vander Veer Park Historic District of Davenport, Iowa. It is believed to be one of the first botanical parks west of the Mississippi River. The park was listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties on August 4, 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassell Coliseum</span> Multi-purpose arena in Virginia, United States

Cassell Coliseum is a 10,052-seat multi-purpose arena in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, that opened in 1962. It is home to the Virginia Tech Hokies men's and women's basketball teams, wrestling team, and volleyball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fant–Ewing Coliseum</span>

Fant–Ewing Coliseum is a 7,085-seat multi-purpose arena in Monroe, Louisiana, United States, on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. It was built in 1971 and is home to the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball team. The arena also hosts concerts and events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robins Center</span> Building in Virginia, United States

The Robins Center is a 7,201-seat multi-purpose arena in Richmond, Virginia. Opened in 1972, the arena is home to the University of Richmond Spiders basketball. It hosted the ECAC South men's basketball tournament in 1983. It is named for E. Claiborne Robins Sr, class of 1931, who, along with his family, have been leading benefactors for the school. The opening of the Robins Center returning Spider basketball to an on-campus facility for the first time since the mid-1940s when it outgrew Millhiser Gymnasium. In the intervening decades, the Spiders played home games in numerous locations around the Richmond area, including the Richmond Coliseum (1971–1972), the Richmond Arena (1954–1971), the Benedictine High School gymnasium (1951–1954), Grays' Armory (1950–1951) and Blues' Armory (1947–1950). The Robins Center arena serves as the location of the University of Richmond's commencement exercises and hosted a 1992 Presidential debate involving Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Ross Perot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The NorVa</span>

The NorVa is a performing venue located in Norfolk, Virginia, the name being a syllabic abbreviation of the city and state of its location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detroit Masonic Temple</span> Masonic building in Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Masonic Temple is the world's largest Masonic Temple. Located in the Cass Corridor of Detroit, Michigan, at 500 Temple Street, the building serves as a home to various masonic organizations including the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. The building contains a variety of public spaces including three theaters, three ballrooms and banquet halls, and a 160 by 100 feet clear-span drill hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kravis Center for the Performing Arts</span>

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit, professional performing arts center in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Life Insurance Building (Chicago)</span> Building in Chicago, Illinois

The New York Life Insurance Building is a 14-story building at 39 South LaSalle Street in the Loop neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. Designed by William Le Baron Jenney, it was completed as a 12-story structure in 1894 at a cost of $800,000, equivalent to $28,172,308 in 2023. In 1898, Jenney designed a 92 ft (28 m) addition to the east of the original structure. This expanded the Monroe Street facade to 233 ft (71 m). The addition contained 13 floors and an additional floor was added to the first structure. The expansion also added an entrance on Monroe Street and enlarged the lobby. In 1903, a fourteenth floor was added bring the building to its current height.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alumni Hall (University of Pittsburgh)</span> United States historic place

Alumni Hall at the University of Pittsburgh is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark that was formerly known as the Masonic Temple in Pittsburgh. Constructed in 1914-1915, it was designed by renowned architect Benno Janssen of Janssen & Abbot Architects. Other buildings in Pittsburgh's Oakland Cultural District designed by Janssen include the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, Mellon Institute, and Pitt's Eberly Hall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orpheum Theatre (Omaha)</span> Theater in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.

The Orpheum Theater is a theater located in Omaha, Nebraska. The theater hosts programs best served by a more theatrical setting, including the Omaha Performing Arts Broadway Season, presented with Broadway Across America, and Opera Omaha's season. The theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The main auditorium is a proscenium theater known as "Slosburg Hall". The theater has a theatre organ, made by Wurlitzer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aragon Ballroom (Chicago)</span> Historic arena opened 1926

The Byline BankAragon Ballroom is a ballroom turned event space located in Chicago in the Uptown neighborhood, approximately 5 miles (8 km) north of Downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University Club of Chicago</span> Private social club in Illinois, US

The University Club of Chicago is a private social club located at 76 East Monroe Street at the corner of Michigan Avenue & Monroe Street in downtown Chicago, Illinois. It received its charter in 1887, when a group of college friends, principally alumni of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, founded the club hoping to further their collegial ties and enjoy intellectual pursuits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Theatre (Falls Church, Virginia)</span> Building

The State Theatre is a restaurant and concert venue in Falls Church, Virginia. Built in 1936, the venue operated as a movie theater until 1988. The theatre reopened in 1999 as an events hall and music theatre. The closest Metro station is the East Falls Church Metro station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music Hall at Fair Park</span> Performing arts theater in Dallas, Texass Fair Park that opened in 1925

The Music Hall at Fair Park is a performing arts theater in Dallas, Texas's Fair Park that opened in 1925.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Post Office (Hoosick Falls, New York)</span> United States historic place

The U.S. Post Office in Hoosick Falls, New York, is located on Main Street a block south of downtown. It is a brick building erected in the mid-1920s, serving the 12090 ZIP Code, which covers the village of Hoosick Falls and surrounding portions of the Town of Hoosick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitar Mansion</span> Historic building in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

Bitar Mansion, also known as Harry A. Green House or the Harry A. and Ada Green House, is a mansion in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, United States. The 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m2) and 17-room structure was designed by architect Herman Brookman and built in 1927 for $410,000, equivalent to $7.19 million today. The Mediterranean-style house contains a grand ballroom and many elaborate details. The mansion has views of the Tualatin Mountains and adjacent Laurelhurst Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruffner Hall</span> Building at Longwood University in Virginia, US

The Rotunda is the name given to a building on the campus of Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. It was formerly known as Ruffner Hall, but the name was changed in 2019. The original Rotunda was built in 1839 and gradually expanded along with the school over several decades, to eventually include its iconic rotunda dome, until its completion in 1907. The building was eventually destroyed in a fire on April 24, 2001. The then-Longwood College began to rebuild the structure, and it was reopened just before the fourth anniversary of the fire, on April 23, 2005. The new Rotunda, in contrast to the old, has a basement to increase instructional space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Ritz Ybor</span> Events venue in Ybor City within Tampa, Florida

The Ritz Ybor is an events venue located in the historic Ybor City, within Tampa, Florida. Opening in 1917, the theatre catered to the Afro-Cuban community in the emerging neighborhood. Throughout the years, the venue was served as a cinema, adult movie theater, nightclub and concert venue. The theatre was transformed into its current incarnation in 2008; becoming one of Tampa's premier live music and events venue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrine of Christ the King (Chicago)</span> Catholic church in Chicago

The Shrine of Christ the King, formerly known as St. Clara and St. Gelasius Church, is a historic Catholic church of the Archdiocese of Chicago in the Woodlawn neighborhood. It is now the National Headquarters of the American Province of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, who are restoring the church after a 2015 fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fitzroy Place (Colorado)</span> Historic building in Colorado

The Fitzroy Place is a historic home in Denver, Colorado. Completed in 1893, it was designed by Fuller and Wheeler, New York architects, and was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style that was extremely popular on the American West Coast. The architects were noted for the numerous educational buildings they designed in the United States and overseas. Elizabeth Iliff Warren, widow of John Wesley Iliff, a successful cattle baron and Denver philanthropist, commissioned the mansion. John Wesley died in 1878 of gall bladder obstruction, leaving Elizabeth, at 34, with four children, cattle, and a land empire. The Fitzroy Mansion was named on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and designated a Denver Historic Landmark in 2008.

References

  1. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. "Monroe Park Historic District National Register Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  4. Kappatos, Nicole. "From The Archives: The Mosque". Richmond Times-Dispatch . Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  5. Holmberg, Mark (August 18, 2016). "Richmond's most famous pool, built 90 years ago – under the Altria Theater". WTVR . Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  6. Watson, Pernell; Joines, Elizabeth (April 14, 1997). "This Mosque Never Used For Worship". The Daily Press . Newport News. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  7. Bacqué, Peter (February 22, 2014). "Landmark Theater is now the Altria Theater". Richmond Times-Dispatch .
  8. Brownell, Charles E. (1992). The Making of Virginia Architecture. Richmond, VA: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. p. 360. ISBN   0-917046-34-X. The ornamental tile was done by J. R. Ray of the Richmond Tile and Mosaic Works...The interior decoration was carried out under the direction of J. Frank Jones of the Rambush [sic] Company of New York.
  9. Roy, James V. (May 7, 2008). "The Mosque Theater – Richmond, VA". Scotty Moore: The Official Website. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  10. "An RVA landmark: the 85-year history of the Landmark Theater". RVANews. July 17, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  11. "7 people shot outside Altria Theater". VPM. June 6, 2023. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.

37°32′46″N77°27′08″W / 37.546236°N 77.452208°W / 37.546236; -77.452208