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Baltimore is a beautiful place to visit and live in. It's also home to one of the best historic theaters in the world: the Senator Theatre. Launched in October 1939 by Durkee Enterprises, the Senator Theatre features both classics and latest movies.
This historic theater is a distinguishable Baltimore landmark thanks to its unique architecture and a multicolored glow at night. The Senator Theatre has a Dolby Digital surround sound and state-of-the-art projection system that takes the movie experience to another level. Our REALTORS® have compiled the following information to give you a better understanding of the history and beauty it brings to Baltimore.
The Theatre's Design
The Senator Theatre was designed by John Jacob Zink and was built by E. Eyring for Durkee Enterprises in 1939. Its design is a perfect example of the late Art Deco style and features the use of decorative and pigmented glass, aluminum moldings, and a round lobby. The Senator's interior showcased stylized murals, veneered walls, geometric lights, and a patterned floor completing its Art Deco design.
The Appearance of the Senator Theatre Today
Originally, the theater was recorded to hold 1,150 seats. Today, the number has reduced to 900 following some renovations carried out in 2010 and 2012. After renovations, the theater opened three smaller theaters next to the main one. Before every performance, a big gold curtain opens to reveal the screen, a practice that has been there since its opening in 1939. There are two skyboxes which can host at least 40 people. The skyboxes are connected to the main theater by a mezzanine overseeing the external lobby. Moreover, there is a walk of fame at the sidewalk in front of the theater which features its local achievements in the cinema industry.
Senator Theatre Accolades
In 1989, the Senator Theatre was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Trust for Historic Preservation dubbed the theater as "America's quintessential independent historic movie house" in 2001. In 2003, it was nominated to become the first venue to complete the Historic Cinema Certification Program which is offered by THX Ltd. The Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) voted and reviewed it to be the Baltimore City Landmark, in March 2007. The Senator Theatre has been featured in many different movies, books, music videos, and commercials. Some of them include; The 12 Monkeys, Avalon, and the Cecil B. Demented, a film that showcased most historic theaters all around Baltimore.
It hosts premiers of films mostly from the East Coast, shot and filmed in and around Baltimore, such as Runway Bride, Ladder 49, and The Accidental Tourist. Films that also feature local Baltimore natives such as Jada Pinkett Smith and Edward North never miss a showcase here. The Senator Theatre was named by the Entertainment Weekly Magazine as the fourth theater "doing it right" in a list of ten others. The Senator Theatre was also named America's Quintessential Independent Historic Movie House by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
When you're ready to buy a home in Baltimore and enjoy the beauty and experience of Baltimore's Senator Theatre for yourself, BHHS Homesale Realty is here to help. Browse our Baltimore homes for sale listings and contact us to get your home search started.
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