Regency Center

Last updated
Regency Center
Regency Center, San Francisco (May 2020).jpg
The Regency Center in 2020
Regency Center
Full nameScottish Rites Bodies Regency Center
Former namesScottish Rite Temple (1909–67)
Regency I (1967–98)
Regency Center (2002–15)
Address1270 Sutter St
San Francisco, California 94109-5517
LocationVan Ness/Polk Gulch
Coordinates 37°47′16.5″N122°25′17.4″W / 37.787917°N 122.421500°W / 37.787917; -122.421500
OwnerScott L Robertson
Operator AEG
Capacity 1,423 (Regency Ballroom)
600 (Social Hall)
300 (Lodge)
300 (Social Hall Annex)
Construction
Opened1909
Closed1999–2002
ArchitectAlbert Roller
Website
Venue Website

The Scottish Rites Bodies Regency Center (commonly known as the Regency Center) is a multi-use events venue located in San Francisco. at the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and Sutter Street. It opened in 1909 as a masonic lodge. In later years, it has served as a dance studio and movie theatre. [1]

Contents

History

Gil Scott-Heron performing in 2009 Gill Scott Heron 2009 Regency.jpg
Gil Scott-Heron performing in 2009

The venue opened in 1909 as the "Scottish Rite Temple", built by the Scottish Rite as a masonic lodge. In 1966, the lodge was purchased by Blumenfeld Enterprises and converted into an 800-seat movie theater. [2] The theater opened as "Regency I" on December 22, 1967, with a showing of The Birds, the Bees and the Italians . The neighboring building, known as "Regency II" was formerly the Avalon Ballroom. [3] Blumenfeld Enterprises converted this space into an adjoining movie theatre in 1968 and remained opened until 2001. In 1980, the building was also used by the Polish Arts and Culture Foundation as a banquet hall and dance studio until 1999 (known as the "Ruvano Dance Studio").[ citation needed ]

The theatre closed on November 7, 1998, and the dance studio remained in the building until January 1999. The venue remained dormant until it was purchased by Scott Robertson in 2000. [4] Renvoations for the space began February 2001, with a grand reopening as the "Regency Center" in March 2002. During this time, the venue was primarily used for corporate events, trade shows and weddings, with 9-15 concerts held annually. In 2008, the Warfield Theatre closed for renovations, with all concerts moved to the Grand Ballroom. The move increased the venue's use as a concert hall. Concert promoter Goldenvoice began management and operations of the venue in September 2008.[ citation needed ] In 2015, the venue was renamed the "Scottish Rites Bodies Regency Center" to tie in its heritage as a former masonic lodge.

Venues

Mogwai performing at The Regency Ballroom in 2011 Mogwai at The Regency Ballroom in 2011.jpg
Mogwai performing at The Regency Ballroom in 2011

See also

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References

  1. http://events.sfgate.com/san_francisco_ca/venues/show/3381185-the-regency-ballroom
  2. "Regency I in San Francisco, CA - Cinema Treasures".
  3. "00 SF Regency II 5". March 2000.
  4. "Venue Overview - Regency Center SF". www.regencycentersf.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-19.