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Fourth Avenue Theatre (Anchorage, Alaska)
Encyclopedia
The Fourth Avenue Theatre, also known as the Lathrop Building, is a movie theater in Anchorage, Alaska
that has been described as Art Deco
, Streamline Moderne
, and Art Moderne in style. Built beginning in 1941 and completed in 1947 after a halt during World War II
, somewhat after the heyday of these styles, it was a large 960-seat first-run theater until the 1980s.
The theater was designed by B. Marcus Priteca
, a leading designer of themed cinemas in America, in association with Seattle architect A.A. Porreca for Cap Lathrop
, a prominent Alaska
businessman. The theater's lobby featured a gold leaf
mural of Mount McKinley
, but originally omitted a concession stand, a feature Lathrop felt was inappropriate. The main house was decorated with silver and gold murals by Anthony Heinsbergen
and Frank Bouman of Los Angeles
, and a rendering of the Big Dipper
(a symbol of Alaska
) on the ceiling. Murals were done on canvas
with reliefs in Masonite
leafed with gold and silver. The building's structure is reinforced concrete
with travertine
on the exterior street level.
As the Lathrop Building, the complex included facilities for Lathrop's radio and television stations, a restaurant, and a penthouse apartment
added in 1959-1960.
After some renovation by the city of Anchorage, the theater was used by a catering firm as a banquet facility. The theater was purchased by the Rasmuson Foundation in 2008, and according to its plans, it was to be used for meeting space by the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau. Due to the economic recession in the following years, these plans did not come to fruition. In 2011, the theater's new owner, Peach Investments, presented new restoration plans.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
that has been described as Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
, Streamline Moderne
Streamline Moderne
Streamline Moderne, sometimes referred to by either name alone or as Art Moderne, was a late type of the Art Deco design style which emerged during the 1930s...
, and Art Moderne in style. Built beginning in 1941 and completed in 1947 after a halt during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, somewhat after the heyday of these styles, it was a large 960-seat first-run theater until the 1980s.
The theater was designed by B. Marcus Priteca
B. Marcus Priteca
Benjamin Marcus Priteca was born in Glasgow, Scotland. A theater architect, he is best-known for his work for Alexander Pantages. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1907 and later attended the Royal College of Art...
, a leading designer of themed cinemas in America, in association with Seattle architect A.A. Porreca for Cap Lathrop
Austin E. Lathrop
Austin Eugene "Cap" Lathrop was an industrialist and outspoken opponent of Alaska statehood. He has been called "Alaska's first home-grown millionaire."-Early life:...
, a prominent Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
businessman. The theater's lobby featured a gold leaf
Gold leaf
right|thumb|250px|[[Burnishing]] gold leaf with an [[agate]] stone tool, during the water gilding processGold leaf is gold that has been hammered into extremely thin sheets and is often used for gilding. Gold leaf is available in a wide variety of karats and shades...
mural of Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley or Denali in Alaska, United States is the highest mountain peak in North America and the United States, with a summit elevation of above sea level. It is the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve.- Geology and features :Mount McKinley is a granitic pluton...
, but originally omitted a concession stand, a feature Lathrop felt was inappropriate. The main house was decorated with silver and gold murals by Anthony Heinsbergen
Anthony Heinsbergen
Anthony Heinsbergen was an American muralist considered the foremost designer of North American movie theatre interiors....
and Frank Bouman of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, and a rendering of the Big Dipper
Big Dipper
The Plough, also known as the Big Dipper or the Saptarishi , is an asterism of seven stars that has been recognized as a distinct grouping in many cultures from time immemorial...
(a symbol of Alaska
Flag of Alaska
The flag of the state of Alaska consists of eight gold stars, forming the Big Dipper and the North Star, on a dark blue field.The Big Dipper is an asterism in the constellation Ursa Major which symbolizes a bear, an animal indigenous to Alaska...
) on the ceiling. Murals were done on canvas
Canvas
Canvas is an extremely heavy-duty plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other items for which sturdiness is required. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame...
with reliefs in Masonite
Masonite
Masonite is a type of hardboard invented by William H. Mason.-History:Masonite was invented in 1924 in Laurel, Mississippi, by William H. Mason. Mass production started in 1929. In the 1930s and 1940s Masonite was used for many applications including doors, roofing, walls, desktops, and canoes...
leafed with gold and silver. The building's structure is reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
with travertine
Travertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
on the exterior street level.
As the Lathrop Building, the complex included facilities for Lathrop's radio and television stations, a restaurant, and a penthouse apartment
Penthouse apartment
A penthouse apartment or penthouse is an apartment that is on one of the highest floors of an apartment building. Penthouses are typically differentiated from other apartments by luxury features.-History:...
added in 1959-1960.
After some renovation by the city of Anchorage, the theater was used by a catering firm as a banquet facility. The theater was purchased by the Rasmuson Foundation in 2008, and according to its plans, it was to be used for meeting space by the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau. Due to the economic recession in the following years, these plans did not come to fruition. In 2011, the theater's new owner, Peach Investments, presented new restoration plans.
External links
- Fourth Avenue Theatre, 630 West Fourth Avenue, Anchorage, Anchorage, AK: 7 photos, 2 data pages, 3 photo caption pages, 1 color transparency, at Historic American Building Survey