Aztec On The River
Encyclopedia
History
Built in 1926, the Aztec Theatre is a notable example of the impressive exotic-theme motion picture palaces constructed in the United States during the economic boom of the 1920s. The Kellwood Corporation, owned by Robert Bertrum Kelly (the architect on record) and H.C. Woods, constructed the theater in 1926 with the financial backing of Commerce Reality at a cost of $1.75 million.The Aztec Theatre was part of the Theater district that included the Empire (1914), the Texas (1926), the Majestic (1929), and the Alameda (1949).
Though the theater remained highly popular for many decades, by the 70s, it was in decline. It was cut into three auditoriums as the Aztec Triplex, but this only slowed the eventual. In 1989, the Aztec closed. Since October 1992, the theatre is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, which helped save it from demolition.
Based on San Antonio’s Riverwalk, the second most popular tourist attraction in Texas, the new Aztec Theatre re-opened in August 2009 as a concert venue. http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/
San Antonio Rose Live is a two-hour live show featuring traditional country, western swing, and gospel music. Featuring the San Antonio Rose Live Band composed of 9 world-class musicians from Nashville, Branson, Austin and San Antonio. http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/
Architectural features
The Aztec was designed by the firm of Meyer & HollerMeyer & Holler
Meyer & Holler was an architecture firm based in Los Angeles, California noted for its opulent commercial buildings and movie theatres, including Grauman’s Chinese and Egyptian theatres, built during the 1920s...
.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
since 1992, it is decorated with vibrantly-colored columns, sculptures, furnishings and murals, many of which are authentic reproductions of Meso-American artifacts. Hanging in front of the stage is the original fire screen, a painting depicting the meeting of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century...
in 1519.
The interior of the theater is embellished with fixtures, furnishings, relief carvings, sculpture, plaques, painted symbols and architectural elements inspired by the Aztec, Mixtec, Zapotec, Toltec, and Mayan cultures. The theater is housed in a six-story office building.
A massive two-ton chandelier
Chandelier
A chandelier is a branched decorative ceiling-mounted light fixture with two or more arms bearing lights. Chandeliers are often ornate, containing dozens of lamps and complex arrays of glass or crystal prisms to illuminate a room with refracted light...
dominates the theater lobby. Added to the theatre in 1929, the chandelier has been completely restored by the grandson of the original designer. The chandelier was installed the same day the stock market crashed in 1929.
The Aztec Theatre is quoted in Patricia Schultz's travel book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
1,000 Places to See Before You Die
1,000 Places to See Before You Die is a 2003 travel book by Patricia Schultz.Among the "1,000 places" in the book are historic ones such as Robert Louis Stevenson's home in Western Samoa and the trail of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the United States, cultural ones such as the Oregon...
.
Retail shops
The Riverwalk level of the Aztec Theatre features retail outlets, a restaurant and a bar :- Iron Cactus Mexican Grill: Tex Mex restaurant. http://www.ironcactus.com/
- Rio San Antonio Cruises: River cruises with entertaining narratives of the rich history of the San Antonio River. http://www.riosanantonio.com/
- It's Aglow: selling candles holders and ornaments made from a rock sourced from Utah. http://www.itsaglow.com/
- A Taste of Texas Wine: Offering a portfolio of wines from vintners across Texas. http://www.atasteoftexaswine.com/
- Roosters: Men's Grooming Center. http://www.roostersmgc.com/
- Agave Bar: named one of the top ten tequila bars in the country, it feature over 80 selections of tequila from Mexico and specialize in a variety of margaritas and tequila drinks unique to Texas.
- San Antonio Rose Live: http://www.sanantonioroselive.com/
- Aztec Ice Cream Shop