Snowdon Theatre, Art Deco movie theater in Snowdon, Montreal, Canada.
Snowdon Theatre is a former Art Deco cinema in the Snowdon neighbourhood of Montreal, recognizable by its black and white striped facade and the large illuminated sign facing Decarie Boulevard. The building follows the Streamline Moderne style, with rounded corners and horizontal bands that run across the exterior.
The theatre was designed by architect Daniel John Crighton and opened in 1937 as Canada's first air-conditioned cinema. It closed in 1982 after more than four decades of film screenings.
During its years as a cinema, the Snowdon Theatre was known for screening British films, attracting a loyal crowd from the surrounding neighbourhood. The habit of booking seats in advance was a common part of going to the movies here.
The facade is best seen from the sidewalk along Decarie Boulevard, where the full striped exterior and the sign are clearly visible. The interior is not open to the public, as the building now holds condominiums and commercial spaces.
After closing as a cinema, the building served as a shopping center and later as a gymnastics club before being converted into condominiums. Through all these changes, the original facade was kept intact and remains visible today.
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