Newton Theater

The Newton Theater is a neighborhood cinema with a distinctive glazed yellow brick facade and streamlined corner features characteristic of Art Deco design. The building displays curved lines and rounded edges that create a modern appearance that attracted moviegoers to this Brookland location.

The theater opened in 1937 to serve Brookland's growing population seeking local entertainment. It closed as a cinema in the mid-1960s, marking the decline of neighborhood theaters during the era when television and other entertainment shifted how people spent their leisure time.

The building sits at a prominent corner where it once drew crowds seeking entertainment and social connection within the neighborhood. Its bold architectural details reveal how movie theaters functioned as gathering places that shaped local life and identity.

The building sits at 12th Street Northeast at a clearly marked corner location within Brookland's main commercial area. Its prominent corner position makes it easy to locate and observe from the street.

After closing as a cinema, the building reopened in the 1980s as a music venue hosting live performances. This transformation into a concert space demonstrates how historic structures can adapt to serve new purposes and audiences.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Architectural style: Art Deco architecture

Address: 3601 12th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017

GPS coordinates: 38.93556,-76.99083

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05