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| location = 1400 Main Street<br>[[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]]
| location = 1400 Main Street<br>[[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Missouri]]
| coordinates = {{coord|39.0971|-94.5836|type:landmark_region:US-MO|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|39.0971|-94.5836|type:landmark_region:US-MO|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[movie theater]]
| type = [[Movie theater]]
| genre =
| genre =
| broke_ground =
| broke_ground =
| built =
| built =
| opened = October 30, 1921<br>Reopened May 1, 2009
| opened = October 30, 1921<br>Reopened May 1, 2009
| renovated = 1967, 1980, 2008
| renovated = 1967, 1980, 2008, 2021
| expanded =
| expanded =
| closed = 1985
| reopened = 2021
| demolished =
| demolished =
| owner = [[Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas]]
| owner = [[The Cordish Companies]]
| operator = B&B Theatres
| former_names = RKO Missouri<br>Empire Theater
| former_names = RKO Missouri<br>Empire Theater
| seating_type =
| seating_type =
| seating_capacity = 3,200 originally
| seating_capacity = 3,200 originally
| website =
| website = www.bbtheatres.com
}}
}}
The '''Mainstreet Theater''', also commonly referred to as '''The Empire Theater''', is a historic theater at 1400 Main Street in downtown [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. The theater was landmarked and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2007.
The '''Mainstreet Theater''', also commonly referred to as '''The Empire Theater''', is a historic theater in downtown [[Kansas City, Missouri]] in the [[Power & Light District]]. The theater was landmarked and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2007.


==Early history==
==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Empire theater 097.jpg|thumb|basement lounge, 2005]]
[[File:Empire theater 097.jpg|thumb|The basement lounge in 2005.]]
Designed by [[Rapp & Rapp]], the {{convert|90000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} theater opened on October 30, 1921 as the Mainstreet Missouri. The 3,200 seat theater was a popular [[vaudeville]] and movie house, and the only theater in Kansas City designed by Chicago firm Rapp and Rapp. The interior was designed in [[French Baroque]] style, and the exterior is a blend of [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] and [[Second Empire (architecture)|French Second Empire]]. The lobby is topped by a dome encircled by circular windows. The Mainstreet Theater was the largest theater in Kansas City until the [[Midland Theatre]] opened in 1927.<ref name="nrhpinv1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/07000043.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Mainstreet Theatre|last=Milstein|first=Cydney E.|author2=Warfield, Mary Ann|date=August 7, 2006|publisher=National Parki Service|accessdate=2009-05-05}}</ref>
Designed by [[Rapp & Rapp]], the {{convert|90000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} theater opened on October 30, 1921 as the Mainstreet Missouri. The 3,200-seat theater was a popular [[vaudeville]] and movie house, and the only theater in Kansas City designed by Chicago firm Rapp and Rapp. The interior was designed in [[French Baroque]] style, and the exterior is a blend of [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] and [[Second Empire (architecture)|French Second Empire]]. The lobby is topped by a dome encircled by circular windows. The Mainstreet Theater was the largest theater in Kansas City until the [[Midland Theatre]] opened in 1927.<ref name="nrhpinv1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnr.mo.gov/shpo/nps-nr/07000043.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Mainstreet Theatre|last=Milstein|first=Cydney E.|author2=Warfield, Mary Ann|date=August 7, 2006|publisher=National Parki Service|accessdate=2009-05-05}}</ref>


The Mainstreet was the first theater in Kansas City to have a nursery for children whose parents were attending a show. Located in the basement and staffed by a trained nurse, it offered toys and games for older children and cribs for babies.
The Mainstreet was the first theater in Kansas City to have a nursery for children whose parents were attending a show. Located in the basement and staffed by a trained nurse, it offered toys and games for older children and cribs for babies.
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The theater also had space in the basement and sub-basement to keep animals for vaudeville shows. The space included an elephant cage, a pool for seals, and an elevator large and powerful enough to haul elephants to the stage. Noted performers such as [[Cab Calloway]], [[Charlie Chaplin]], [[Harry Lauder]], the [[Marx Brothers]], and [[Olsen and Johnson]] headlined at the vaudeville house. In the early 1920s, at the height of the theater's popularity, attendance averaged over 4,000 daily.
The theater also had space in the basement and sub-basement to keep animals for vaudeville shows. The space included an elephant cage, a pool for seals, and an elevator large and powerful enough to haul elephants to the stage. Noted performers such as [[Cab Calloway]], [[Charlie Chaplin]], [[Harry Lauder]], the [[Marx Brothers]], and [[Olsen and Johnson]] headlined at the vaudeville house. In the early 1920s, at the height of the theater's popularity, attendance averaged over 4,000 daily.


The Mainstreet Theater's name changed to the RKO Missouri Theater in April 1941.<ref name="RKO">{{cite news |title=RKO Missouri to Become the Empire Theater|location=''Kansas City Star'' |page=25A |date=1960-09-11 |accessdate=27 March 2009 }}</ref> The RKO Missouri ran [[Cinerama]] three strip film.
The Mainstreet Theater's name changed to the RKO Missouri Theater in April 1941.<ref name="RKO">{{cite news |title=RKO Missouri to Become the Empire Theater|location=''Kansas City Star'' |page=25A |date=1960-09-11 }}</ref> The RKO Missouri ran [[Cinerama]] three strip film.


{{Infobox NRHP
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Mainstreet Theatre
| name = Mainstreet Theatre
| nrhp_type =
| nrhp_type =
| image = MainstreetTheater1920s.jpg
| image = MainstreetTheater1920s.jpg
| caption = The Mainstreet Theater as it originally appeared, prior to several name changes and removal of the large sign suspended from the roof
| caption = The Mainstreet Theater as it originally appeared, prior to several name changes and removal of the large sign suspended from the roof
| location= 1400 Main St., [[Kansas City, Missouri]]
| location = 1400 Main St., [[Kansas City, Missouri]]
| coordinates = {{coord|39.0971|-94.5836|type:landmark_region:US-MO|display=inline}}
| lat_degrees =
⚫
| locmapin = Missouri#USA
| lat_minutes =
⚫
| built = 1921
| lat_seconds =
⚫
| architect = [[Rapp and Rapp|C.W. Rapp and Geo. L. Rapp]]
| lat_direction =
⚫
| builder = [[Thompson–Starrett Co.|Thompson-Starrett Construction Co.]]
| long_degrees =
⚫
| architecture = Beaux Arts
| long_minutes =
⚫
| added = February 15, 2007
| long_seconds =
⚫
| area = Less than one acre
| long_direction =
⚫
| refnum = 07000043<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
| coord_display = inline,title
⚫
| locmapin = Missouri#USA
⚫
| built = 1921
⚫
| architect = [[Rapp and Rapp|C.W. Rapp and Geo. L. Rapp]]
⚫
| builder = [[Thompson–Starrett Co.|Thompson-Starrett Construction Co.]]
⚫
| architecture = Beaux Arts
⚫
| added = February 15, 2007
⚫
| area = less than one acre
| governing_body = Private
⚫
| refnum = 07000043<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}
}}


==The AMC Era==
===The AMC era===
[[AMC Theatres]], then known as Durwood Theatres, bought the theater in the late 1950s and reopened it in December 1960 as the Empire. The first film shown at the theater under the new name was [[Exodus (1960 film)|Exodus]]. The new Empire's seating configuration was reduced to 1260 to accommodate modern amenities and technology.
[[AMC Theatres]], then known as Durwood Theatres, bought the theater in the late 1950s and reopened it in December 1960 as the Empire. The first film shown at the theater under the new name was [[Exodus (1960 film)|Exodus]]. The new Empire's seating configuration was reduced to 1260 to accommodate modern amenities and technology.


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In 1967, the theater was split in two when a second theater was constructed in the former balcony of the original theater.<ref name=Empire_II>{{cite journal| title = Kansas City 'Empire' Reopens After Facelifting|work =Physical Theater| date =1961-03-15|volume=16| issue=3|pages=6–7}}</ref> In 1980 AMC converted the Empire into four theaters and it was known as Empire 4 Theaters. Two of the additional theaters were in the upper level where the original balcony once existed.<ref name=Boxoffice>{{cite news| title = Broad-Scale Campaign Ties 'Grand Prix' With Opening Of Empire II In Kansas City|work =Boxoffice| date =1967-02-06}}</ref> The Empire stopped screening films and closed in 1985.<ref name=Empire_Closed>{{cite news| title = End of the Empire--Longtime Downtown Theater Closed|work =Kansas City Star| date =1986-10-25| pages=1A–5A}}</ref>
In 1967, the theater was split in two when a second theater was constructed in the former balcony of the original theater.<ref name=Empire_II>{{cite journal| title = Kansas City 'Empire' Reopens After Facelifting|work =Physical Theater| date =1961-03-15|volume=16| issue=3|pages=6–7}}</ref> In 1980 AMC converted the Empire into four theaters and it was known as Empire 4 Theaters. Two of the additional theaters were in the upper level where the original balcony once existed.<ref name=Boxoffice>{{cite news| title = Broad-Scale Campaign Ties 'Grand Prix' With Opening Of Empire II In Kansas City|work =Boxoffice| date =1967-02-06}}</ref> The Empire stopped screening films and closed in 1985.<ref name=Empire_Closed>{{cite news| title = End of the Empire--Longtime Downtown Theater Closed|work =Kansas City Star| date =1986-10-25| pages=1A–5A}}</ref>


In 1972, as a protest against what it called "cultural prejudices", the Italian American Unification Council in Kansas City spent $2,500 to purchase all the seats of the premier showing of [[Francis Ford Coppola]]’s film [[The Godfather]] at the Empire. While the film played to an empty house, the Council sponsored a benefit dance down the street.<ref name="Blackhand Strawman">"[http://blackhandstrawman.com/story.html Blackhand Strawman]."</ref><ref name="When The Godfather played to an empty room">"[http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2009/06/10/when-the-godfather-played-to-an-empty-room]."</ref>
In 1972, as a protest against what it called "cultural prejudices", the Italian American Unification Council in Kansas City spent $2,500 to purchase all the seats of the premier showing of [[Francis Ford Coppola]]’s film [[The Godfather]] at the Empire. While the film played to an empty house, the Council sponsored a benefit dance down the street.<ref name="Blackhand Strawman">"[http://blackhandstrawman.com/story.html Blackhand Strawman]."</ref><ref name="When The Godfather played to an empty room">"[http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2009/06/10/when-the-godfather-played-to-an-empty-room] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308061046/http://www.pitch.com/plog/archives/2009/06/10/when-the-godfather-played-to-an-empty-room |date=2012-03-08 }}."</ref>


==An Uncertain Future==
===An uncertain future===
[[File:EmpireTheater2005.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Construction workers involved in the early stages of Power & Light District construction seek shade under the marquee of the abandoned Empire Theater on a hot summer day in 2005. A glimpse of the trees growing from the roof can be seen to the right of the dome.]]
[[File:EmpireTheater2005.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Construction workers involved in the early stages of Power & Light District construction seek shade under the marquee of the abandoned Empire Theater on a hot summer day in 2005. A glimpse of the trees growing from the roof can be seen to the right of the dome.]]
Prominent downtown landowner Larry Bridges purchased the Empire Theater in 1986 from Stan Durwood, then CEO of AMC Theatres. Between 1985 and 2005, the Empire was often at risk for demolition. Numerous efforts took place to prevent each demolition attempt. In 1986, actor and comedian [[George Burns]] joined the effort and wrote a letter to have the theater declared a historic landmark. Since the theater was not listed as a local landmark or listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], there was not much legal protection to prevent the deteriorating structure's demolition.
Prominent downtown landowner Larry Bridges purchased the Empire Theater in 1986 from Stan Durwood, then CEO of AMC Theatres. Between 1985 and 2005, the Empire was often at risk for demolition. Numerous efforts took place to prevent each demolition attempt. In 1986, actor and comedian [[George Burns]] joined the effort and wrote a letter to have the theater declared a historic landmark. Since the theater was not listed as a local landmark or listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], there was not much legal protection to prevent the deteriorating structure's demolition.
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In 2004, the Kansas City Chapter of the [[American Institute of Architects]] compiled a list of 25 buildings in the central business district believed to be significant downtown landmarks "worthy of attention and reuse". The Empire Theater was listed as the most endangered building at the time: The building had fallen into such disrepair that bricks fell from the building and trees sprouted from the roof.
In 2004, the Kansas City Chapter of the [[American Institute of Architects]] compiled a list of 25 buildings in the central business district believed to be significant downtown landmarks "worthy of attention and reuse". The Empire Theater was listed as the most endangered building at the time: The building had fallen into such disrepair that bricks fell from the building and trees sprouted from the roof.


==Redevelopment==
===Redevelopment===
The City of Kansas City reached an agreement to purchase the theater from Larry Bridges in late 2004 while it was acquiring properties for the future Power and Light District.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kansas City buys Empire Theater|location=''Kansas City Business Journal''|date=2004-12-30}}</ref> In November 2005, the State of Missouri approved up to $938,538 in [[Brownfields]] Redevelopment Program remediation tax credits to help offset costs involved in the cleanup of asbestos at the theater. An estimated 200 dump-truck loads of asbestos and mold-covered debris were removed from the theater during the cleanup process. Power & Light District developer Cordish reached an agreement with AMC to form a joint venture, Midland-Empire Partners LLC, to redevelop the Empire Theater and the nearby [[Midland Theatre]].
The City of Kansas City reached an agreement to purchase the theater from Larry Bridges in late 2004 while it was acquiring properties for the future Power and Light District.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kansas City buys Empire Theater|location=''Kansas City Business Journal''|date=2004-12-30}}</ref> In November 2005, the State of Missouri approved up to $938,538 in [[Brownfields]] Redevelopment Program remediation tax credits to help offset costs involved in the cleanup of asbestos at the theater. An estimated 200 dump-truck loads of asbestos and mold-covered debris were removed from the theater during the cleanup process. Power & Light District developer Cordish reached an agreement with AMC to form a joint venture, Midland-Empire Partners LLC, to redevelop the Empire Theater and the nearby [[Midland Theatre]].


==Re-Opening==
===Reopening===

The AMC Mainstreet Theater opened to the public under its original name as part of the [[Power & Light District]] on May 1, 2009, after a test period of playing second-run films for employees and invited guests beginning April 18, 2009. The theater also hosted the Kansas City Film Festival April 22–26, 2009.<ref name="FilmFest">{{cite web | title = Kansas City FilmFest | url = http://kcfilmfest.org/| accessdate = 2009-05-01}}</ref> AMC stated the Mainstreet is its "flagship theater", spending $30 million on the renovation.<ref name="30Million">{{cite web | title =New AMC Mainstreet Theater will revolutionize movie-going downtown | work =Kansas City Star|author= Penn, Steve | url = http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1140896.html| date =2009-04-14 | accessdate = 2009-04-14}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>
The AMC Mainstreet Theater opened to the public under its original name as part of the [[Power & Light District]] on May 1, 2009, after a test period of playing second-run films for employees and invited guests beginning April 18, 2009. The theater also hosted the Kansas City Film Festival April 22–26, 2009.<ref name="FilmFest">{{cite web | title = Kansas City FilmFest | url = http://kcfilmfest.org/| accessdate = 2009-05-01}}</ref> AMC stated the Mainstreet is its "flagship theater", spending $30 million on the renovation.<ref name="30Million">{{cite web | title =New AMC Mainstreet Theater will revolutionize movie-going downtown | work =Kansas City Star|author= Penn, Steve | url = http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1140896.html| date =2009-04-14 | accessdate = 2009-04-14}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>


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On May 26, 2009, the theater was awarded the "Dr. George Ehrlich Achievement in Preservation Award" by the [http://historickansascity.org/ Historic Kansas City Foundation].
On May 26, 2009, the theater was awarded the "Dr. George Ehrlich Achievement in Preservation Award" by the [http://historickansascity.org/ Historic Kansas City Foundation].


==Change of ownership==
===Change of ownership===
On June 4, 2012, it was announced [[Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas]] would be take over operations of the theater.<ref name="Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to Take Over Mainstreet Space in Downtown KC">"[http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/04/3641045/alamo-drafthouse-cinema-to-take.html Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to Take Over Mainstreet Space in Downtown KC]." kansascity.com Retrieved on June 4, 2012.</ref> As of June 25, 2012 Alamo Drafthouse has the Mainstreet theater listed on their web site and is selling tickets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mainstreet|url=http://drafthouse.com/kansas_city/mainstreet/mainstreet_menu/|publisher=Alamo Drafthouse|accessdate=16 July 2012}}</ref>
On June 4, 2012, it was announced [[Alamo Drafthouse Cinema]] would take over operations of the theater.<ref name="Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to Take Over Mainstreet Space in Downtown KC">"[http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/04/3641045/alamo-drafthouse-cinema-to-take.html Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to Take Over Mainstreet Space in Downtown KC]." kansascity.com Retrieved on June 4, 2012.</ref> As of June 25, 2012 Alamo Drafthouse had the Mainstreet theater listed on their web site and were selling tickets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mainstreet|url=http://drafthouse.com/kansas_city/mainstreet/mainstreet_menu/|publisher=Alamo Drafthouse|accessdate=16 July 2012}}</ref>

On or about March 3, 2021, the owners of the Kansas City Alamo Drafthouse announced they would be closing the location permanently due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="kshb-tv">{{cite web |url=https://www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/kansas-city-alamo-drafthouse-closing-permanently-due-to-covid-19-pandemic |title=Kansas City Alamo Drafthouse closing permanently due to COVID-19 pandemic |last=Godburn |first=Hailey |date=2021-03-03 |website= |publisher=[[KSHB-TV]] |access-date=2021-09-24}}</ref> In April 2021 (only a month later), [[B&B Theatres]] acquired the Mainstreet Theater, and it reopened at the end of September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2021-04-23/b-b-theatres-leases-former-alamo-location-will-return-movie-theater-to-downtown-kansas-city|title=B&B Theatres Leases Former Alamo Location, Will Return Movie Theater To Downtown Kansas City|last=Spencer|first=Laura|date=April 23, 2021|website=KCUR.org|publisher=KCUR-FM|access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://fox4kc.com/news/entertainment/bb-theatres-ready-to-open-new-downtown-kc-location-at-former-alamo-drafthouse/|title=B&B Theatres ready to open new downtown KC location at former Alamo Drafthouse|last=Collins|first=Leslie|date=September 27, 2021|website=fox4kc.com |publisher=[[WDAF-TV]]|access-date=July 4, 2023}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{Kansas City, Missouri}}
{{Kansas City, Missouri}}


[[Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Missouri]]
[[Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in Missouri]]
[[Category:Cinemas and movie theaters in Missouri]]
[[Category:Theatres in Kansas City, Missouri]]
[[Category:Downtown Kansas City]]
[[Category:Movie palaces]]
[[Category:Movie palaces]]
[[Category:Beaux-Arts architecture in Missouri]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Kansas City, Missouri]]
[[Category:Theatres completed in 1921]]
[[Category:Theatres completed in 1921]]
⚫
[[Category:Theatres in Kansas City, Missouri]]
[[Category:Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Missouri]]
[[Category:Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Missouri]]
⚫
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Kansas City, Missouri]]

Latest revision as of 23:03, 4 July 2023

Mainstreet Theater
Mainstreet Theater in the Power & Light District
Map
Former namesRKO Missouri
Empire Theater
Location1400 Main Street
Kansas City, Missouri
Coordinates39°05′50″N 94°35′01″W / 39.0971°N 94.5836°W / 39.0971; -94.5836
OwnerThe Cordish Companies
OperatorB&B Theatres
TypeMovie theater
Capacity3,200 originally
Construction
OpenedOctober 30, 1921
Reopened May 1, 2009
Renovated1967, 1980, 2008, 2021
Reopened2021
Website
www.bbtheatres.com

The Mainstreet Theater, also commonly referred to as The Empire Theater, is a historic theater in downtown Kansas City, Missouri in the Power & Light District. The theater was landmarked and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2007.

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]
The basement lounge in 2005.

Designed by Rapp & Rapp, the 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) theater opened on October 30, 1921 as the Mainstreet Missouri. The 3,200-seat theater was a popular vaudeville and movie house, and the only theater in Kansas City designed by Chicago firm Rapp and Rapp. The interior was designed in French Baroque style, and the exterior is a blend of neoclassical and French Second Empire. The lobby is topped by a dome encircled by circular windows. The Mainstreet Theater was the largest theater in Kansas City until the Midland Theatre opened in 1927.[1]

The Mainstreet was the first theater in Kansas City to have a nursery for children whose parents were attending a show. Located in the basement and staffed by a trained nurse, it offered toys and games for older children and cribs for babies.

A tunnel connected the theater's lower level to the nearby President Hotel at 14th and Baltimore.[2] Built to allow actors to enter the theater from their dressing rooms, it became infamous as a passage for bootleggers to escape police during Prohibition. The supposed tunnel is not shown on the Sanborn fire insurance map for 1939 (The Sanborn Map Co., New York, Kansas City 1939-1940 vol. 1, 1939, Sheet 34).

The theater also had space in the basement and sub-basement to keep animals for vaudeville shows. The space included an elephant cage, a pool for seals, and an elevator large and powerful enough to haul elephants to the stage. Noted performers such as Cab Calloway, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Lauder, the Marx Brothers, and Olsen and Johnson headlined at the vaudeville house. In the early 1920s, at the height of the theater's popularity, attendance averaged over 4,000 daily.

The Mainstreet Theater's name changed to the RKO Missouri Theater in April 1941.[3] The RKO Missouri ran Cinerama three strip film.

Mainstreet Theatre
The Mainstreet Theater as it originally appeared, prior to several name changes and removal of the large sign suspended from the roof
Mainstreet Theater is located in Missouri
Mainstreet Theater
Mainstreet Theater is located in the United States
Mainstreet Theater
Location1400 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri
Coordinates39°05′50″N 94°35′01″W / 39.0971°N 94.5836°W / 39.0971; -94.5836
AreaLess than one acre
Built1921
Built byThompson-Starrett Construction Co.
ArchitectC.W. Rapp and Geo. L. Rapp
Architectural styleBeaux Arts
NRHP reference No.07000043[4]
Added to NRHPFebruary 15, 2007

The AMC era

[edit]

AMC Theatres, then known as Durwood Theatres, bought the theater in the late 1950s and reopened it in December 1960 as the Empire. The first film shown at the theater under the new name was Exodus. The new Empire's seating configuration was reduced to 1260 to accommodate modern amenities and technology.

Durwood replaced the Empire's three strip Cinerama with the seamless 70 mm film version. The 70 by 30-foot (9.1 m) Walker Hi Gain motion picture screen was designed to collapse, fold, and store on stage within two and a half hours to allow for quick conversion for live stage events. The stage curtain measured more than 120 feet (37 m) and claimed to be the world's largest. In keeping with Kansas City's reputation as the "City of Fountains", the Empire included decorative fountains in the box office area and at the main staircase. The prominent signage suspended from scaffolding attached to the building's roof during the "Mainstreet" and "RKO Missouri" eras was removed when Durwood converted the theater to the Empire. The Empire kept an organist until 1961 when there was a dispute with the musicians' union.

In 1967, the theater was split in two when a second theater was constructed in the former balcony of the original theater.[5] In 1980 AMC converted the Empire into four theaters and it was known as Empire 4 Theaters. Two of the additional theaters were in the upper level where the original balcony once existed.[6] The Empire stopped screening films and closed in 1985.[7]

In 1972, as a protest against what it called "cultural prejudices", the Italian American Unification Council in Kansas City spent $2,500 to purchase all the seats of the premier showing of Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather at the Empire. While the film played to an empty house, the Council sponsored a benefit dance down the street.[8][9]

An uncertain future

[edit]
Construction workers involved in the early stages of Power & Light District construction seek shade under the marquee of the abandoned Empire Theater on a hot summer day in 2005. A glimpse of the trees growing from the roof can be seen to the right of the dome.

Prominent downtown landowner Larry Bridges purchased the Empire Theater in 1986 from Stan Durwood, then CEO of AMC Theatres. Between 1985 and 2005, the Empire was often at risk for demolition. Numerous efforts took place to prevent each demolition attempt. In 1986, actor and comedian George Burns joined the effort and wrote a letter to have the theater declared a historic landmark. Since the theater was not listed as a local landmark or listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there was not much legal protection to prevent the deteriorating structure's demolition.

Owner Larry Bridges expressed desire to raze the Empire several times and even obtained a pre-demolition inspection permit from the city in August 2003. Bridges planned to team with DST Realty to build a new headquarters for Kansas City Power & Light on the site. The City of Kansas City blocked the plan, which had called for saving the facade but demolishing the core structure of the Empire.

In 2004, the Kansas City Chapter of the American Institute of Architects compiled a list of 25 buildings in the central business district believed to be significant downtown landmarks "worthy of attention and reuse". The Empire Theater was listed as the most endangered building at the time: The building had fallen into such disrepair that bricks fell from the building and trees sprouted from the roof.

Redevelopment

[edit]

The City of Kansas City reached an agreement to purchase the theater from Larry Bridges in late 2004 while it was acquiring properties for the future Power and Light District.[10] In November 2005, the State of Missouri approved up to $938,538 in Brownfields Redevelopment Program remediation tax credits to help offset costs involved in the cleanup of asbestos at the theater. An estimated 200 dump-truck loads of asbestos and mold-covered debris were removed from the theater during the cleanup process. Power & Light District developer Cordish reached an agreement with AMC to form a joint venture, Midland-Empire Partners LLC, to redevelop the Empire Theater and the nearby Midland Theatre.

Reopening

[edit]

The AMC Mainstreet Theater opened to the public under its original name as part of the Power & Light District on May 1, 2009, after a test period of playing second-run films for employees and invited guests beginning April 18, 2009. The theater also hosted the Kansas City Film Festival April 22–26, 2009.[11] AMC stated the Mainstreet is its "flagship theater", spending $30 million on the renovation.[12]

The renovated theater's ground floor has three standard auditoriums, while the upper level features "cinema suites" with reclining loungers, food trays, and a call button to summon a server.[12] All auditoriums feature 4k digital projection[13] and 11 channel sound, including overhead speakers and bass shakers mounted under the seats. AMC claims it is one of the world's most technologically advanced theater setups.

The lobby area features a restaurant called The Marquee which opened on Friday, March 27, 2009.[14]

Early reports claimed the theater would feature "documentaries, independent, and foreign films", but upon opening the selection was limited to mainstream Hollywood films.[15]

On May 26, 2009, the theater was awarded the "Dr. George Ehrlich Achievement in Preservation Award" by the Historic Kansas City Foundation.

Change of ownership

[edit]

On June 4, 2012, it was announced Alamo Drafthouse Cinema would take over operations of the theater.[16] As of June 25, 2012 Alamo Drafthouse had the Mainstreet theater listed on their web site and were selling tickets.[17]

On or about March 3, 2021, the owners of the Kansas City Alamo Drafthouse announced they would be closing the location permanently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] In April 2021 (only a month later), B&B Theatres acquired the Mainstreet Theater, and it reopened at the end of September 2021.[19][20]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Milstein, Cydney E.; Warfield, Mary Ann (August 7, 2006). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Mainstreet Theatre" (PDF). National Parki Service. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  2. ^ "CinemaTours: Cinema History Around The World - Mainstreet Theater". Kansas City Times. April 24, 1987. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  3. ^ "RKO Missouri to Become the Empire Theater". Kansas City Star. 1960-09-11. p. 25A.
  4. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  5. ^ "Kansas City 'Empire' Reopens After Facelifting". Physical Theater. 16 (3): 6–7. 1961-03-15.
  6. ^ "Broad-Scale Campaign Ties 'Grand Prix' With Opening Of Empire II In Kansas City". Boxoffice. 1967-02-06.
  7. ^ "End of the Empire--Longtime Downtown Theater Closed". Kansas City Star. 1986-10-25. pp. 1A–5A.
  8. ^ "Blackhand Strawman."
  9. ^ "[1] Archived 2012-03-08 at the Wayback Machine."
  10. ^ "Kansas City buys Empire Theater". Kansas City Business Journal. 2004-12-30.
  11. ^ "Kansas City FilmFest". Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  12. ^ a b Penn, Steve (2009-04-14). "New AMC Mainstreet Theater will revolutionize movie-going downtown". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2009-04-14. [dead link‍]
  13. ^ AMC to Get Sony Digital Projectors - New York Times - March 29, 2009
  14. ^ Smith, Joyce (2009-03-27). "Bar and grill opens today downtown". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2009-03-27. [dead link‍]
  15. ^ RobbKC (2007-08-27). "Kansas City's restored Midland, Mainstreet Theaters will reopen". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
  16. ^ "Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to Take Over Mainstreet Space in Downtown KC." kansascity.com Retrieved on June 4, 2012.
  17. ^ "Mainstreet". Alamo Drafthouse. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  18. ^ Godburn, Hailey (2021-03-03). "Kansas City Alamo Drafthouse closing permanently due to COVID-19 pandemic". KSHB-TV. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  19. ^ Spencer, Laura (April 23, 2021). "B&B Theatres Leases Former Alamo Location, Will Return Movie Theater To Downtown Kansas City". KCUR.org. KCUR-FM. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  20. ^ Collins, Leslie (September 27, 2021). "B&B Theatres ready to open new downtown KC location at former Alamo Drafthouse". fox4kc.com. WDAF-TV. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
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