Tranan, Movie theater in Fredhäll, Sweden
Tranan is a cinema in Fredhall with strict functionalist architecture and a neon sign in lowercase letters on its facade at Adlerbethsgatan 21. The original projection hall held 500 red fabric seats arranged on a steep slope to ensure clear sightlines for all viewers.
The cinema opened in September 1933 as part of a new residential community built by the HSB cooperative. It screened films until April 1961, when declining attendance prompted the building to be repurposed.
The interior features large wall paintings of cranes created by artist Einar Jolin that give character to the space. These artworks combine with ceiling-mounted glass lighting panels to create a distinctive visual language throughout the hall.
The building is easy to spot on Adlerbethsgatan due to its functional facade and illuminated lettering. The steep seating arrangement ensured good viewing angles in its time, so the high ceiling and angled floor remain defining features of the interior space.
After closing, the building became a photo studio and conference venue, giving it a completely different purpose. This transformation shows how a space with such distinctive original features could be adapted to serve entirely new functions.
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