Downtown Commercial in Calgary in Calgary Metropolitan Region, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)

The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022

1. The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] Boasting an elegant facade and luxurious interior, this Neoclassical building is one of the last surviving examples of the “palace” style of cinema in western Canada. Owned by the Allen chain, a pioneer of film distribution in Canada, it was designed in 1921 by Howard Crane, an internationally recognized American architect. In 1925, renowned evangelical preacher and future premier of the province, William Aberhart, began his famous radio broadcasts from the Palace.

[Français] Cet édifice de style néo-classique, avec son élégante façade et son intérieur luxueux, est l'un des derniers cinémas de type « palace » subsistant encore dans l'Ouest canadien. Propriété de la compagnie Allen, pionnière dans la distribution de films au Canada, il a été conçu en 1921 par Howard Crane, architecte américain de renommée internationale. Le prédicateur évangélique et futur premier ministre de la province, William Aberhart, y débuta en 1925 la diffusion de ses célèbres émissions de radio.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada/Commission des lieux

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et monuments historiques du Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 51° 2.733′ N, 114° 3.995′ W. Marker is in Calgary, Alberta, in Calgary Metropolitan Region. It is in Downtown Commercial. Marker is on 8 Avenue Southwest west of 1st Street Southwest, on the left when traveling west. Marker is mounted directly on the subject building, beneath the ticket window on the right/west side of the lobby entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 219 8 Avenue Southwest, Calgary AB T2P 7N2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Buildings (within shouting distance of this marker); The Builders (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Meeting Place (about 90 meters away); T.C. Power & Bro. (about 120 meters away); The View (about 120 meters away); Lougheed Home (about 120 meters away); The Lancaster Building ~ 1911 (about 120 meters away); The Clarence Block ~ 1900 (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Calgary.

Regarding The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace. Canadian Register of Historic

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022

2. The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace Marker

(marker is beneath ticket window • lobby entrance is on the left)

Places (1996/06/05).

Also see . . .
1. Palace Theatre National Historic Site of Canada.

The Palace Theatre National Historic Site of Canada is an early-20th-century movie theatre located in the heart of the business district of Calgary, Alberta. One of only four movie “palaces” still standing in western Canada, the theatre is distinguished by its large scale and its elegant exterior façade with neoclassical detailing. Set within the historic Stephen Avenue Mall, this theatre demonstrates the varied culture and history of Calgary. Official recognition refers to the legal property at the time of designation in 1996.

(Submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The Palace Theatre.

Home to films, vaudeville acts, and orchestra performances, the Palace Theatre was also the site of the first public radio broadcast in Calgary. With its elaborate plaster ceilings, elegant exterior and grand marble staircases, the Palace quickly became known as the most beautiful theatre in Canada and was declared a National historic site in 1996.

(Submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Palace Theatre National Historic Site of Canada.

The key elements that relate to the heritage value of this site include: its
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022

3. The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace (entrance)
(marker is beneath ticket window on the right)
location in the heart of the business district of Calgary, Alberta; its setting in the historic Stephen Avenue Mall; its elaborate exterior façade, typical of Crane-designed and Allen-owned theatres, including: a row of five large, round-headed openings at the second-storey level flanked by pedimented rectangular windows with circular stone insets above; the classical detailing of the window surrounds with wrought-iron, faux balconies at the windows; a prominent cornice and parapet above dark brick walls with light-coloured carved stone pilasters and panels; and shop fronts flanking a central entrance at street level.

(Submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 29, 2022

4. The Palace Theatre / Le Théâtre Palace

Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.