Garland Theater

47°41′37″N 117°25′32″W / 47.69361°N 117.42556°W / 47.69361; -117.42556Public transitSpokane Transit AuthorityOwnerJordan TampienTypeMovie theaterCapacity630^[2]Screens1ConstructionBuilt1945OpenedNovember 22, 1945; 78 years ago (1945-11-22)^[1]Renovated2015 (interior)ArchitectAlbert Harvey Funk, Bjarne H. Moe^[3]BuilderFunk, Molander & JohnsonTenantsBon Bon, Kiss and Makeup, and Marks Guitar ShopWebsitegarlandtheater.org

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Aerial view of the Garland Theater and surrounding environment in 2023

Built1945Architectural styleStreamline ModerneMPSMovie Theaters in Washington State MPSNRHP reference No.13000999Added to NRHPDecember 24, 2013

The Garland Theater is an independent movie theater in Spokane, Washington. Located in the Garland District, in the North Hill neighborhood, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

The Theater opened on November 22, 1945, almost three months after the end of World War II showing It's a Pleasure and Double Exposure.^[1]^[4] The Garland became a discount theater in 1988.^[4] The Garland Theater was seen as one of the west's premier theaters when it was built, and has become seen as a classic and modern movie theater in the years since.^[5]

History

Built in 1945 in the Streamline Moderne style, the Garland Theater was built in a single-screen style with one main theater.^[6]

In 2013, renovation work was done on the Garland Theater worth more than $350,000. New seats and a new projector were key parts of the updates. The capacity was reduced to meet ADA requirements. The updates also allowed for an interior connection between the bar and the theater itself, both of which are housed within the same building.^[7]

In 2023, the theater was sold by previous owner, Katherine Fritchie, to real estate developer Jordan Tampien.^[8]

Description

The Garland Theater is a single-screen movie house that was built in a single-story apartment style in a reinforced concrete exterior and a terra cotta, brick, and tile exterior.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b "The Garland Theater (1945) – Nostalgia Magazine".
^ Sparing, Tyler. "Garland Movie Theater". Spokane Historical. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
^ "Garland Theater". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Garland History "garlandtheater.com"".
^ Fedor, Samuel (April 14, 2022). "Garland Street is alive with rich history and eclectic businesses". Gonzaga Bulletin. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
^ Lind, Treva (October 24, 2013). "Garland Theater's owner modernizes iconic venue". Spokane Journal of Business. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
^ Stephens, Tod (December 15, 2023). "A new chapter for the Garland Theater: New owners will keep playing second-run films, but add events, themed screenings | The Spokesman-Review". Spokesman. Retrieved January 11, 2024.