Aztec Theatre (San Antonio)

Coordinates: 29°25′28″N 98°29′27″W / 29.42444°N 98.49083°W / 29.42444; -98.49083

Aztec Theatre
Aztec on the River
Exterior view of venue (c.2016)
Address 104 N St Mary's St
San Antonio, TX 78205-2209
Location Downtown San Antonio
Owner Aztec Family Group
Operator Live Nation
Capacity 1,477
Construction
Opened June 4, 1926 (1926-06-04)
Renovated 2007-09, 2013-14
Closed 1989-2009; 2012-14
Construction cost $1.75 million
($25 million in 2017 dollars[1] )
Architect Meyer & Holler
Website
Venue Website
Aztec Theatre
Architect Kelly, Robert B.; Pianta, Hannibal
Architectural style Mesoamerican
NRHP reference # 92001403[2]
Added to NRHP October 22, 1992

The Aztec Theatre is a historic theater in Downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA.

History

Closed Aztec Theatre in December 2003.

Built in 1926, the Aztec Theatre is a notable example of the impressive exotic-theme motion picture palaces constructed in the United States during the economic boom of the 1920s. The Kellwood Corporation, owned by Robert Bertrum Kelly (the architect on record) and H.C. Woods, constructed the theater in 1926 with the financial backing of Commerce Reality at a cost of $1.75 million.

The Aztec Theatre was part of the Theater district that included the Empire (1914), the Texas (1926), the Majestic (1929), and the Alameda (1949).

Though the theater remained highly popular for many decades, by the 1970s, it was in decline. It was cut into three auditoriums as the Aztec Triplex, but this only slowed the eventual. In 1989, the Aztec closed. Since October 1992, the theatre has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, which helped save it from demolition.

Based on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas, the new Aztec Theatre re-opened in August 2009 as a concert venue. San Antonio Rose Live was a two-hour live show featuring traditional country, western swing, and gospel music. Featuring the San Antonio Rose Live Band composed of 9 world-class musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin and San Antonio. This show closed in February 2012 due to "the current and future economic circumstances".

The Aztec Theatre was leased in September 2013. The new leaseholders are turning the theatre into a multi-purpose event center, which will host public and private functions, as well as provide a venue for musical acts.[3]


Architectural features

The Aztec was designed by the firm of Meyer & Holler. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992, it is decorated with vibrantly-colored columns, sculptures, furnishings and murals, many of which are authentic reproductions of Meso-American artifacts. Hanging in front of the stage is the original fire screen, a painting depicting the meeting of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519. The interior of the theater is embellished with fixtures, furnishings, relief carvings, sculpture, plaques, painted symbols and architectural elements inspired by the Aztec, Mixtec, Zapotec, Toltec, and Mayan cultures. The theater is housed in a six-story office building.

A massive two-ton chandelier dominates the theater lobby. Added to the theatre in 1929, the chandelier has been completely restored by the grandson of the original designer. The chandelier was installed the same day the stock market crashed in 1929.

The Aztec Theatre is quoted in Patricia Schultz's travel book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

Retail shops

The theatre viewed from the River Walk in 2017

The remaining features of the Riverwalk level of the Aztec Theatre include:

  • Rio San Antonio Cruises: River cruises with entertaining narratives of the rich history of the San Antonio River. http://www.riosanantonio.com/
  • Agave Bar: named one of the top ten tequila bars in the country, it feature over 80 selections of tequila from Mexico and specialize in a variety of margaritas and tequila drinks unique to Texas.
  • Iron Cactus Mexican Grill: Tex Mex restaurant. http://www.ironcactus.com/

Noted performers

References

  1. ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  2. ↑ National Park Service (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  3. ↑ Olivio, Benjamin (September 5, 2013). "Aztec Theater gets a familiar tenant". San Antonio Express-News. Hearst Communications. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
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