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 | |
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Location | 2001 Farnam St., Omaha, Nebraska 68102 |
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Coordinates | 41°15′25.89″N 95°56′32.78″W |
Built | 1926[1] |
Architect | John Eberson[1] |
Architectural style | Classical Revival, Exotic Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 74001108[2] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | August 13, 1974 |
Designated OMAL | October 21, 1980[1] |
History
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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
- "Omaha Landmarks". Omaha Landmarks Heritage Preservation Commission. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- "Tax incentive program projects in Douglas County"[Usurped!], Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- "Nebraska National Register Sites in Douglas County"[Usurped!], Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- "Rose Blumkin Performing Arts Center." Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- 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.
- "Creighton's history brick by brick" Archived 2007-08-15 at the Wayback Machine, The Creightonian Online. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- "Our Story Mrs. B." Nebraska Furniture Mart. Retrieved 12/2/07.
- "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.
External links
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- Historic Photo of The Riveria's Interior
- Alternate Historic Photo of The Riveria's Interior
- Postcard of The Riviera Theater
- Historic Photo of The Rivera Theater
- Riviera Theater Grand Opening Advertisement
- Historic Photo of The Paramount Theater
- Paramount Theater Advertisement
- Astro Theater Advertisement