Cine O'Higgins, Movie theater and historical conservation building in Chillán, Chile.
Cine O'Higgins is a movie theater and historically protected building in downtown Chillán with distinctive Art Deco architecture. The structure features curved walls, round porthole windows, and ground-floor shops beneath a sheltering marquee.
The building was constructed in 1952 following architect Juan Rau's design and replaced an earlier theater that had been destroyed. The operation as a cinema ended in the 1990s before the building later took on different functions.
The cinema served as a gathering place where residents of Chillán came together to watch films and spend time as a community. For decades it shaped the cultural life of the city and remained a central hub for shared experiences.
The building is located downtown between the main square and the train station and is easily accessible on foot. Visitors should know that the cinema itself no longer operates as a venue, but the exterior and architecture can be admired at any time.
The roof is covered in slate that cannot be seen from the street and is often overlooked by visitors. This roofing choice demonstrates the careful attention paid to every detail in the building's construction.
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