National Theater (Richmond, Virginia)
The National Theater is a historic theater in Richmond, Virginia. Part of a city block along the 700 block of Broad Street once known as Theatre Row, it is the only surviving auditorium of the row (the others now exist in facade only).
 | |
| Address | 708 E Broad St |
|---|---|
| Location | Richmond, Virginia |
| Owner | AEG Live |
| Operator | AEG Live |
| Type | Theater |
| Capacity | 1,500 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1923 |
| Renovated | 2009 |
| Website | |
| www | |
National Theater | |
 Postcard view of "Theatrical District, Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia", c. 1923 | |
   | |
| Location | 700-710 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia |
| Coordinates | 37°32′30″N 77°26′9″W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Architect | Claude K. Howell; Ferruccio Legnaioli |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000188 [1] |
| VLR No. | 127-0178 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | April 02, 2003 |
| Designated VLR | December 4, 2002[2] |
The National Theater was built in 1923, originally staging both live entertainment (such as vaudeville shows) as well as motion-pictures.[3] In 1968, it was converted into a dedicated cinema, which closed on September 5, 1983.[3]
Restored and reopened in 2008 by RIC Capital Ventures, the theater, operating as The National, is used as a performing arts and music venue.[4] In 2014, the venue was acquired by AEG Live.[5][6]
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and is located in the Grace Street Commercial Historic District.[1]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
- "National Theater Final Nomination" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- "Official website". The National. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- Schwartz, Michael (2014-10-06). "The National's owners bow out". Richmond BizSense. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
- Baldwin, Brent (2014-10-08). "A Concert Powerhouse". Style Weekly. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
