The Triangle

Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Alysson Cwyk The Boyd Theatre is up on the market, yet many Philadelphians fear that the next owner will want to destroy the historic venue rather than preserve it.

Strolling down Chestnut Street toward Rittenhouse Square, you probably wouldn't notice it, but a historic Philadelphia landmark rests amidst the shops and restaurants between 19th and 20th streets. Here lies the Boyd Theatre (also known as the Sam Eric), Philadelphia's last movie palace.

The Boyd doesn't really look like a grand theatre, being wedged between a Gap Outlet store and a new Asian-fusion restaurant, but more like a boarded-up shop where the lessee forgot to pay rent and the landlord pulled the plug. Aside from the Barack Obama campaign posters, random marks of graffiti, pieces of already been chewed bubble gum and some house show flyers, the Boyd Theatre shows no signs of life on the 1900 block of Chestnut St.

So why doesn't this desolate theatre just get demolished and made into a luxurious Center City high-rise like every other vacant lot in Rittenhouse Square? It just might if purchased by certain developers.

Since its opening on Christmas Day in 1928 until it's closing in 2002, the Boyd Theatre played first run feature films. There were 2,500 seats were available per viewing, making it the largest theatre of its kind in the City of Brotherly Love. For 74 years, national and world premiers of movies starring Hollywood celebrities like Grace Kelly and Denzel Washington were hosted at this Philadelphian art-deco theatre. Tom Hanks reportedly said in awe, "Wow, a real movie palace!" upon his entrance into the Boyd at the world premier of "Philadelphia."

The interior, being known for its stylistic attributes, is still heavily intact, despite the not-so-appealing limestone façade. Inside, high ceilings house original chandeliers, statues encompass crevasses, and large murals depicting the progression and history of women decorate the once highly operated movie theatre.

When the Boyd Theatre closed in 2002, it was soon purchased by Clear Channel Communications and then handed over to its rock concert subordinate, Live Nation. A $31 million restoration deal was in place to develop the theatre into a performing arts venue, yet now Live Nation strives to only produce concert entertainment events and has placed the notable Boyd Theatre on the market.

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