Eglinton Theatre, Art Deco movie theater in Toronto, Canada.
The Eglinton Theatre is an Art Deco movie house in Toronto featuring a striking neon sign tower arranged in a three-stage pylon, with its front facade decorated with multiple lighting fixtures throughout. The structure combines classic theater architecture with decorative elements that typify the design language of that era.
Built in 1936, the Eglinton Theatre was designed by the architectural firm Kaplan & Sprachman, which received the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's Bronze Medal for the design in 1937. It operated as a cinema for 67 years, closing in 2003, and was later converted into an event venue. In 2016 it was designated a National Historic Site by Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
The theatre's name comes from Eglinton Avenue, the street it faces. It opened in 1936 as a cinema and in 1965–1967 screened The Sound of Music for 146 weeks, a run that became part of its local identity. Since 2003 it has served as an event venue, and in 2016 it was designated a National Historic Site.
The building is located at 400 Eglinton Avenue West and now accommodates about 300 seats for various types of events. When visiting, keep in mind that this is a heritage-protected location open to visitors during scheduled events and performances.
The Eglinton was designated a National Historic Site in 2016 by Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizing its Art Deco design. The designation came 13 years after the building stopped showing films in 2003.
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