Florida Movie Theatres

	Movie Theatres

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FLORIDA

Colony Theatre
Winter Park, FL Rex Theatre
Pensacola, FL Tampa Theatre
Tampa, FL

The Colony Theatre opened in 1939 and closed in 1975. The building now houses a Pottery Barn store. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
The Rex Theatre building is believed to have opened in the 1910s. It was a furniture store until it was converted into a theatre around 1937. It closed in the mid-1970s and was nearly demolished. The upstairs has been turned into an apartment. Several attempts have been made towards restoration but the theatre is still vacant. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
The Tampa Theatre was built in 1926 in the Mediterranean Revival style. It was designed by John Eberson with his typically, glorious atmospheric interior. It also maintains a Mighty Wurlitzer organ. In 1973, the theatre was nearly demolished but was saved by the City of Tampa. It reopened in 1977 after extensive renovation. The theatre is believed to be haunted. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Florida Theatre Jacksonville, FL	San Marco Theatre Jacksonville, FL	Murray Hill Theatre Jacksonville, FL

The Florida Theatre, built in 1927, is another Moorish atmospheric style theatre. This one was designed by R.E. Hall and Roy Benjamin. Benjamin also designed the Lake Theatre (see below). The Florida features a starry, dark blue sky and fountains. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was restored in 1983. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

The San Marco Theatre was designed by Roy Benjamin and opened in 1938. It remains in operation as a movie theatre. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

The Murray Hill Theatre opened in 1949 and closed in 1994. It was then occupied by a nightclub known as the Dungeon. The theatre is now used for live performances. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Olympia Theatre
Miami, FL Cameo Theatre
Miami Beach, FL former Strand Theatre
Key West, FL

The Olympia Theatre was designed by John Eberson and built in 1925. It originally featured silent films. This Moorish style theatre featured Eberson's trademark auditorium with a nighttime sky, rolling clouds and twinkling stars. In 1971, the theatre was nearly demolished. It was donated to the City of Miami in 1975. After an extensive renovation from 1975-1977, the theatre became the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theatre still has its original Mighty Wurlitzer organ. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
The Cameo Theatre opened in 1936. It was designed by Robert Collins, best known for his many Art Deco motels in Miami Beach. The theater later became a dance club and, in 1999, it was transformed into The Crobar Nightclub. The Crobar has two other locations in Chicago and New York. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
The Strand Theatre opened in the mid-1920s. It closed sometime in the early 1980s and reopened as a nightclub. In 1993, it became a Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum. In 2004, it became a Walgreens drug store. The marquee and facade were restored, however, most of the interior of the theatre was gutted. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.