NuWilshire Theatre, Santa Monica

Courtesy of Marcello Varvalo of the Santa Monica Conservancy, following is some updated information about the NuWilshire Theatre, located at 1314-1316 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, California:

The NuWilshire Theater has been designated as a Santa Monica landmark, and many portions of the building are protected. The areas protected include the exterior building envelope (meaning all exterior walls, roof, and exterior
portion of fly loft), the marquee, the terrazzo paving at the entrance extending to the sidewalk, and the retention of the two retail storefronts flaking the main entrance.

The protection of these features will ensure that the building will retain its historic character and association as a historic theater.

However, landmark designation never protects the use of a site. This enables adaptive reuse of buildings, and is seen throughout town with numerous successful conversions, such as LACMA west in the former Wilshire May Co. building, and the former Cathedral of St. Vibiana now being used as a special events venue.

It is always difficult to see a historic theater being changed from its original use. That is what is taking place at the NuWilshire theater. It is being converted into retail space, so the auditorium and lobby will be removed. However, the possibility always exists that the building could one day be converted back into a theater.

It will, from the street, however, still read very much like a theater.

For more information regarding the NuWilshire Theatre renovation, please see this recent article in the Santa Monica Daily Press.
http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2009-03-19-51307.113116_Rehab_begins_for_...