Harding Theater
Encyclopedia
The Harding Theater is a historic movie theater
located at 616 Divisadero Street in San Francisco, California
.
starring in the first movie version of the hit musical Irene
.
As with other facilities built by the Reid Brothers, it has a capacity of between 800 and 1200 people. The Harding was used as a movie theater from 1926 to 1970. The theatrical group Lamplighters Music Theatre
performed at the facility from 1961 to 1968, The Grateful Dead
were featured at the theater on 7 November 1971 with their first performance of "Hideaway".
From the mid-1970s to 2004, the theater was used as a church. In 2004 (approximate date), the building was purchased by developers for US$1.6 million.
(see also batten
) - so a separate independent structure containing eight units of housing condominiums could be constructed, preserve the existing proscenium
arch, maintain the existing auditorium and lobby and their extant detailing, while seeking a tenant to provide a use for the space. Consideration for the removal and reconstruction of the raked theater floor and seating to allow for a new parking level below, addition of windows, and the upgrade of restrooms to conform with modern building codes were also reviewed in depth to conform with the Secretary of the Interior
's "Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures".
Historic preservation
activists believe this plan threatens the historical integrity of the building and limits its future uses. An appeal was filed against the San Francisco Planning Department's "Negative Declaration" to the Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA). In 2005, a similar challenge was successfully made against the negative declaration to the developer's original plan to demolish the entire theater to build more condominiums. That appeal was heard by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
in April 2005.
The Planning Department's recent Mitigated Negative Declaration was appealed by Friends of 1800 and was heard on September 25, 2008. The Planning Department rescinded that Preliminary Negative Declaration and prepared a new one, which has also been appealed by the Friends of 1800.
The request for an EIR was heard on November 13, 2008 by the San Francisco Planning Commission, at San Francisco City Hall. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the request of the Friends of 1800 for an EIR, thus an EIR will be required for the project. A feasible plan to pay for and preserve the entire theater has not been put forward by the activists. The developer says he is now putting the building up for sale. A local theater preservation nonprofit is investigating ways to preserve the theater.
In November of 2010, laser cats were painted on the Theater's boarded up entrance.
37.77551°N 122.43767°W
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
located at 616 Divisadero Street in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
.
History
The Harding Theater was built in 1926 by local theater owner Samuel H. Levin who hired Reid Brothers architects. The theater opened April 8, 1926 with Colleen MooreColleen Moore
Colleen Moore was an American film actress, and one of the most fashionable stars of the silent film era.-Early life:...
starring in the first movie version of the hit musical Irene
Irene (musical)
Irene is a musical with a book by James Montgomery, lyrics by Joseph McCarthy, and music by Harry Tierney.Based on Montgomery's play Irene O'Dare, it is set in New York City's Upper West Side and focuses on immigrant shop assistant Irene O'Dare, who is introduced to Long Island's high society when...
.
As with other facilities built by the Reid Brothers, it has a capacity of between 800 and 1200 people. The Harding was used as a movie theater from 1926 to 1970. The theatrical group Lamplighters Music Theatre
Lamplighters Music Theatre
Lamplighters Music Theatre is a semi-professional theatrical company based in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1952 by Orva Hoskinson and Ann Pool MacNab, the Lamplighters specialize in light opera, particularly the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, as well as such works as The Merry Widow, Die...
performed at the facility from 1961 to 1968, The Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
were featured at the theater on 7 November 1971 with their first performance of "Hideaway".
From the mid-1970s to 2004, the theater was used as a church. In 2004 (approximate date), the building was purchased by developers for US$1.6 million.
Present day
The owner/developer had a "compromise" plan—to remove the back fly systemFly system
A fly system, flying system or theatrical rigging system, is a system of lines , blocks , counterweights and related devices within a theatre that enable a stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely fly components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people...
(see also batten
Batten (theater)
In theater, batten refers to a long metal pole suspended above the stage or the audience from which lighting fixtures, theatrical scenery, tabs or other curtains may be hung...
) - so a separate independent structure containing eight units of housing condominiums could be constructed, preserve the existing proscenium
Proscenium
A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...
arch, maintain the existing auditorium and lobby and their extant detailing, while seeking a tenant to provide a use for the space. Consideration for the removal and reconstruction of the raked theater floor and seating to allow for a new parking level below, addition of windows, and the upgrade of restrooms to conform with modern building codes were also reviewed in depth to conform with the Secretary of the Interior
United States Secretary of the Interior
The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
's "Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures".
Historic preservation
Historic preservation
Historic preservation is an endeavor that seeks to preserve, conserve and protect buildings, objects, landscapes or other artifacts of historical significance...
activists believe this plan threatens the historical integrity of the building and limits its future uses. An appeal was filed against the San Francisco Planning Department's "Negative Declaration" to the Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act
California Environmental Quality Act
The California Environmental Quality Act is a California statute passed in 1970, shortly after the United States federal government passed the National Environmental Policy Act , to institute a statewide policy of environmental protection...
(CEQA). In 2005, a similar challenge was successfully made against the negative declaration to the developer's original plan to demolish the entire theater to build more condominiums. That appeal was heard by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is the legislative body within the government of the City and County of San Francisco, California, United States.-Government and politics:...
in April 2005.
The Planning Department's recent Mitigated Negative Declaration was appealed by Friends of 1800 and was heard on September 25, 2008. The Planning Department rescinded that Preliminary Negative Declaration and prepared a new one, which has also been appealed by the Friends of 1800.
The request for an EIR was heard on November 13, 2008 by the San Francisco Planning Commission, at San Francisco City Hall. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the request of the Friends of 1800 for an EIR, thus an EIR will be required for the project. A feasible plan to pay for and preserve the entire theater has not been put forward by the activists. The developer says he is now putting the building up for sale. A local theater preservation nonprofit is investigating ways to preserve the theater.
In November of 2010, laser cats were painted on the Theater's boarded up entrance.
External links
- Reid Brothers at Western Neighborhood Project website
- "Neighbors Saddened by Harding Theater Imminent Demolition" by Lubna Takruri, San Francisco Observer, January 11, 2005
- "Developers, Activists Debate Theater's Worth" by Carolyn Jones, San Francisco Chronicle, January 14, 2005
- Historical photos of the theater at the San Francisco Main Library
- San Francisco Chronicle on EIR Decision (November 14, 2008)
- San Francisco Examiner on EIR Decision (November 14, 2008)
- Harding Theater: No Vaudeville After All? (September 18, 2008)
- Proposal for Theater in San Francisco Chronicle (December 17, 2008)
- "NoPa's Harding Theater Condos Return With a Vengeance" SFCurbed (September 1, 2009)
37.77551°N 122.43767°W