RKO Quad

The RKO Quad is a four-screen cinema housed in a substantial building with classical architectural details on a prominent downtown street. The structure features the hallmarks of early twentieth century theater design with vertical emphasis and decorative stonework.

The building opened in 1927 as Proctors Theatre with a single large auditorium. It was later converted into a four-screen multiplex in the late twentieth century to adapt to changing audience habits.

This venue was part of the extensive RKO cinema chain that shaped American entertainment by operating hundreds of movie houses across the country.

The building sits on a main downtown street and is easy to spot from the sidewalk. Today retail shops and offices occupy the space, so visitors can view the exterior cinema architecture but the theater is no longer operating as a movie house.

In December 1950 horror film star Bela Lugosi performed a live stage show here, combining magic tricks with spooky entertainment for the local audience. This performance illustrates how movie theaters once hosted live acts alongside film screenings to draw crowds.

Location: New Rochelle

Inception: 1927

Architects: Herbert J. Krapp

Official opening: 1927

Capacity: 2800

Address: 572 Main Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801

GPS coordinates: 40.90680,-73.78420

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:24