Downtown Jewelry Exchange, formerly Pantages Theatre, Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre, and Warrens Theatre, is a historic nine-story building and former vaudeville theater and movie palace located on the corner of 7th and Hill in the Jewelry District in downtown Los Angeles.
| Downtown Jewelry Exchange | |
|---|---|
 The building in 2012 | |
 | |
| Former names | Pantages Theatre Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre Warrens Theatre |
| General information | |
| Address | 401 W. 7th Street and 651 S. Hill, Los Angeles |
| Coordinates | 34°02′46″N 118°15′16″W / 34.04615°N 118.2545°W |
| Opened | August 17, 1920 |
| Renovated | 1975 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | B. Marcus Priteca |
History
editDowntown Jewelry Exchange was designed by B. Marcus Priteca, built as Pantages Theatre, and opened with vaudeville and a screening of The Courage of Marge O'Doone on August 17, 1920.[1][2] The theater sat 2200 and was the second home of the Pantages circuit, after they left the nearby Arcade Theatre. This building, which was nine-stories in height, also housed shops and offices.[3]
In 1929, Pantages sold all its theaters to RKO, who then sold this theater to Warner Brothers.[3] It then became Warner Bros. Downtown Theatre, whose first screening was Gold Diggers of Broadway.[1] Warner Brothers owned and operated the theater until the 1960s, when it was bought by Metropolitan Theatres, who renamed it Warrens Theatre and operated it until 1975.[4]
After Metropolitan Theatres sold the theater, it was used as a church, then in 1978, it became a retail outlet for The Jewelry Exchange as the neighborhood became the Jewelry District. At this point, the main floor auditorium seats were removed, although the balcony and interior theater decorations remain.[3][5]
In 2016, the building was listed as a contributing property in both the Hill Street Commercial Historic District[6] and the Seventh Street Commercial Historic District.[7]
Architecture and design
editDowntown Jewelry Exchange is steel-frame and features a Beaux Arts design with additional Greek treatments. The exterior was covered in white terra cotta and features a corner marquee, above which is an imposing domed corner tower. The words "Warner Bros. Downtown Bldg" remain on the parapet, even though Warner Brothers no longer owns the building.[3][8]
Inside, much of the original baroque ornamentation remains. The theater ceiling is covered in a sunburst mural surrounded by Egyptian, Oriental, Greek, and Roman figures, and the stage is flanked by Corinthian columns.[4]
Filming location
editThe opening theater shots in Funny Girl were filmed in this theater. Lady Killer features a scene on the building's roof and the theater marquee is also shown briefly.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Reyes, Alan (February 5, 2016). "Monuments in Time – Warner Brothers Theater". DT Weekly.
- ^ Gabel, William. "Warrens Theatre". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Early Los Angeles Historical Buildings (1925 +)". Water and Power Associates. p. 1. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "Downtown Jewelry Exchange/Warner Bros. Theatre". Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Downtown Decoded: The Old Warner". Broadway West. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ "Historic District - Hill Street Commercial Historic District". City of Los Angeles. August 31, 2016.
- ^ "Historic District - Seventh Street Commercial Historic District". City of Los Angeles. August 31, 2016.
- ^ "Early Los Angeles City Views (1925 +)". Water and Power Associates. p. 5. Retrieved December 12, 2024.