Esquire Theater

The Esquire Theater is a two-story brick building with a colorful Art Deco facade located at 824 Broadway. Its design features streamlined curves and uses enameled steel, stainless steel, pigmented structural glass, and marble throughout.

The building was constructed between 1946 and 1947 under architect Harold Roth's design and represents post-war American theater architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

The theater served as a gathering place for the community and reflects how movies were central to social life in mid-20th century America. The ornate design and bright marquee show what people valued in public entertainment spaces back then.

The theater is located downtown on Broadway in an easy-to-reach location. You can spot it clearly from the street and it has traditional ground-level entrances.

The interior features a projecting proscenium-like arch that frames the screen and gives the space depth and focus. This detail shows how theaters of this era were carefully designed to enhance what viewers saw on screen.

Location: Cape Girardeau

Address: 824 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

GPS coordinates: 37.30889,-89.52889

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:48