One block from
Rittenhouse Square, on Chestnut Street between 19th and 20th,
there stands a remarkable building - The Boyd Theatre. Philadelphia's
last movie palace was called the Sam Eric when it closed in May, 2002.
Help us save this Philadelphia landmark and restore this Philadelphia landmark to its former grandeur and obtain a film program.
- Be added to our weekly email list so you can be kept informed of our news, our events, and will have the opportunity to volunteer.
- Donate via PayPal
- Donate via check or money order
- Please sign our online petition
Latest News
Thursday May 22 at 5:30 PM: Illustrated Lecture
At the new AIA Center for Architecture (1218 Arch Street, Philadelphia) from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, there's a free event, no registration needed, hosted by the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia for Preservation Month.
Center City Philadelphia's last movie palace, the Boyd Theatre, remains unoccupied, for sale, and threatened with the possibility of demolition. Built in 1928, to designs of the Hoffman-Henon Company, one of Philadelphia's most prolific theater architects, and seating over two thousand, the Boyd was a centerpiece of moviegoing in Center City. Against all odds, the Friends of the Boyd fended off a demolition attempt in 2002, and remains dedicated to seeing this Art Deco masterpiece restored. In this joint presentation, Shawn Evans, AIA of Atkin Olshin Schade Architects and Adrian Scott Fine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation will present the significance and the plight of this movie palace and place it in the context of a national preservation struggle.
March 2008: Boyd Theatre Designated One of Philadelphia's Most Endangered Historic Properties
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia has named the Boyd Theatre to their Fifth Annual Endangered Properties List, mailed out in March 2008. The Alliance's statement begins with:
BACKGROUND
Built in 1928, the Boyd Theatre is the last surviving motion picture palace in Philadelphia. Acclaimed as one of the world's first exuberant Art Deco-style theatres, the Boyd is one of Philadelphia's most important twentieth century entertainment landmarks.
The proposed SOLUTION is that Live Nation:
Agree to sell only to a buyer committed to preserving the theater. Mayor Nutter should make the preservation of the Boyd Theater a top economic priority of his administration. This would include exploring the potential for tax increment financing or the formation of a non-profit/private partnership to create eligibility for state Redevelopment Grant assistance.
March 2007: Lobby City of Philadelphia to Help Save the Boyd
The Philadelphia Daily News reported on March 3, 2007, that Philadelphia's last premiere movie palace, the Boyd Theatre, is offered for sale by its owner, Live Nation to any owner who might consider demolition! Live Nation is also considering turning the Boyd into a House of Blues, but has not stated whether the Boyd would be fully restored to its Art Deco design.
Friends of the Boyd would like your help in asking the help of the Mayor and City Council to save the Boyd.
A local civic group has a website which enables you to send a fax, in one fell swoop, to the Mayor, your district Councilperson and all at-large Councilpersons. Start by entering your street address here: http://www.hallwatch.org/faxbank/philadelphia
and enter "Boyd Theatre" in the Subject block.
You can write your own message, or copy and paste the BELOW MESSAGE to the Mayor and City Council people:
Please ask Live Nation, the owner of the historic Boyd Theatre at 1908 Chestnut to NOT sell it to a real estate developer who might demolish it! Instead, Live Nation could work with Friends of the Boyd (www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org) to identify a buyer who would restore the theater. And, please ask Live Nation to fully restore the Boyd to its original Art Deco design and include a film series should they decide to turn it into a House of Blues. A restored Boyd will bring jobs, tourists, entertainment, and vitality to Philadelphia.
If you prefer, you can mail a letter to Mayor Street, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107 or fax him at 215-686-2180
September 13, 2006 Live Nation Ceases Renovation
The Philadelphia Daily News reports today that Live Nation ceased work and might sell the Boyd. Friends of the Boyd President Howard B. Haas has replied that Friends will continue to volunteer to ensure the Boyd is restored and reopened as a showplace theater.
Also see Inga Saffron's article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
February 2006: Ongoing Work to Prepare the Boyd for its Future
Clear Channel bought the Boyd Theatre in 2005, but has spun off its theaters including the Boyd into an independent, new company called Live Nation.
The Friends of the Boyd continue to meet with Live Nation officials to accomplish our following goals:
- Achieve a comprehensive and authentic restoration. We are fundraising to ensure that Art Deco features return and we continue to research the Boyd's restoration needs. Let us know if you have historic photos of the Boyd, as the details seen in the photos can help!
- Ensure film equipment and an electronic organ is accommodated, so that there will be films (classics, festivals, and premieres) and a theater organ.
- Provide public tours
- Host exhibits of the Boyd's history. Let us know if you have items for exhibit.
We welcome sponsors and volunteers. To receive our weekly email update, to volunteer, and to donate, see the options at the top of this page. For further information, email info@FriendsOfTheBoyd.org or telephone 215-567-2970.
Preliminary work is progressing inside the Boyd, by the owner, Live Nation, including the following:
- Chairs that were non original were given to chair manufacturers for use elsewhere. Original chairs were dismantled for reuse in the Boyd of the ornate ends and possibly of the armrests
- All original light fixtures were retrieved for refurbishment by a professional light fixture restoration company.
- Old insulation materials were removed, to prepare for the replacement of all electric wiring, and much of the plumbing.
- Carpets are being removed, so that Art Deco carpets patterned after the originals can replace them.
- A paint study uncovered original Art Deco paint patterns. Paint experts are starting a Mock Up of proposed repainting as the paint that was discovered is faded, and appropriate shades of color need be determined.
- From the historic photos and documents we provided, the owner's architects have drafted meticulous drawings of long gone features such as the 1928 marquee and ticket booth so they can be recreated.
- Exploratory work to discover other original features continues. Decorative limestone in the front of the theater that was long covered has been revealed. Above dropped ceilings, original decorative ceilings of the Grand Lobby and Ticket Lobby were found.
- Vulnerable original material is being covered up for protection during construction, such as the outdoor terrazzo floor, Art Deco glasswork, and marble.
- Heating and air conditioning are being designed to provide the best climate, while minimizing noise. The old system leaked in the auditorium, damaging the plaster mural around the central chandelier.
- Restroom expansion is being planned.
- Passenger elevators and other measures are being reviewed to comply with ADA
Major construction will begin later and include demolition of the existing small stagehouse, and replacing it with a huge stagehouse that can host Touring Broadway musicals and concerts. Demolition of the stagehouse will not affect the historic Art Deco features of the Boyd. Reopening of the theater is expected in 2007.
April 2005: Restoration Begins & Many Discoveries at the Boyd
In late March, 2005, Clear Channel took ownership of the Boyd and armed with research provided by the Friends of the Boyd, immediately began exploratory work in the movie palace. The following items were accomplished:
- Partition walls that had taken away the downstairs Lounge in the 1980's were removed, bringing back the Lounge.
- The original Fire Curtain, which wasn't seen by the public in decades, was lowered, revealing an Art Deco geometric pattern with colors matching the Mural and Proscenium Arch.
- Plaster was removed in niches in the auditorium, revealing for the 1st time since 1953 Monel metal silhouettes of woman from around the world, cacti, and parrots.
- The main carpet from 1928 was discovered under the candy counter upstairs
- Wall fabric from 1928 was discovered, a plant pattern in a blue color, from shiny metallic thread.
- Original terrazzo was uncovered in the Ticket Lobby.
- The concession stand in the Grand Lobby was removed, restoring the Lobby's atmosphere. The Auditorium's orchestra level projection booth was also removed, as film projection can return to the original upstairs booth.
The Friends of the Boyd retrieved the front of the backstage's historic Lighting Control Panel for future exhibit. We also retrieved movie projectors & sound equipment from the demolished booth, for future film projection. And, we took a S from the marquee as the Sam Eric script from 1971 was removed, revealing the Boyd script from 1953.
Citation from Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2004
Thanks to State Representative Babette Josephs, for obtaining a Citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives commending the Boyd Theatre for its exquisite Art Deco interior, its history of hosting film premieres, and for symbolizing the plight of historic urban motion picture palaces in Philadelphia and throughout the country. Read the Citation's text.
AIA Landmark Building Award to Boyd
At a luncheon ceremony on May 6, 2004, attended in part by Mayor Street, at the Ballroom of the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue, the Philadelphia chapter of the local architects' organization, the AIA, presented the 2004 Landmark Building Award for the Boyd Theatre (Sameric) and the Uptown Theatre. The brochure proclaimed that "Both theaters, with their exquisite Art Deco interiors, symbolize the plight of historic urban motion picture palaces, both in Philadelphia and across the country." Prior winners include other Philadelphia landmarks such as the Lit Bros Department Store Building, the Naval Home, and the PSFS tower on Market Street.
Friends of the Boyd Now Accepting Donations
If you'd like to help restore the Boyd and obtain a film program, please make your tax-deductible check or money order payable to The Friends of the Boyd and send to:
Friends of the Boyd
P.O. Box 30629
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Click here to download optional form to print out, or please include your mailing address, telephone number, and email address when you send a donation.
The official registration and financial information of "Friends of the Boyd" may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.