Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center

The Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center or The Rose, also known as the Astro Theater, originally opened as The Riviera.[1] It is located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. Built in 1926 in a combination of both Moorish and Classical styles, the building was rehabilitated in 1986.[3]

Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center
Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center is located in Nebraska
Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center
Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center is located in the United States
Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center
Location2001 Farnam St.,
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Coordinates41°15′25.89″N 95°56′32.78″W
Built1926[1]
ArchitectJohn Eberson[1]
Architectural styleClassical Revival, Exotic Revival
NRHP reference No.74001108[2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 13, 1974
Designated OMALOctober 21, 1980[1]

History
Paramount Theater. Omaha, 1937

Noted for lavish stage shows combined with movies, the Riviera was regarded as one of the most elegant entertainment facilities in the Midwest. John Eberson, a nationally notable architect, built the theater as an example of the "atmospheric" theater popular during the 1920s. In a style created by Eberson, these atmospheric theaters simulated romantic outdoor Mediterranean courtyards with a night sky above, including twinkling stars and drifting clouds.[4]

The exterior of the building features a large copper domed tower, flanked by two smaller towers of similar detailing. The diamond-patterned brick facades contain oriel windows, elaborate cornices, glazed terra-cotta tile copings, and a series of free-standing columns which support griffins.[5]

In 1929, experiencing financial losses, the theater's owner sold the building to Paramount Company and the theater was renamed the Paramount Theater.[6] In 1957, Paramount vacated the lease to Creighton University.[6] Closed for several years, it was later leased to J.S.B. Amusement, and after renovations, was operated as a bowling alley.[6] After only a year of operation, the building once again was remodeled to return it to a theater.[6] It reopened as the Astro theater and continued operations until June 1980.[6]

Now closed and facing possible demolition, the Astro Theater was sold by Creighton University to Rose Blumkin of the Nebraska Furniture Mart on June 24, 1981.[7] In the early 1990s it was renovated and transformed into the Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center;[8] it became the home of the Omaha Theater Company, which began performing there in 1995.[9]

See also

References
  1. "Omaha Landmarks". Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  3. "Tax incentive program projects in Douglas County"[Usurped!], Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  4. "Nebraska National Register Sites in Douglas County"[Usurped!], Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  5. "Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center." Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  6. Jeffrey S. Spencer [researcher and writer], Kristine Gerber [project director] (2003). Building for the ages : Omaha's architectural landmarks (1st ed.). Omaha, Neb.: Omaha Books. p. 163. ISBN 0-9745410-1-X.
  7. "Creighton's history brick by brick" Archived 2007-08-15 at the Wayback Machine, The Creightonian Online. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  8. "Our Story Mrs. B." Nebraska Furniture Mart. Retrieved 12/2/07.
  9. "The History of Our Company". Archived March 30, 2015, at the Wayback Machine The Rose Performing Arts. Retrieved 2015-08-05. Archived 2015-03-30 at Wayback Machine.
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