G. Albert Lansburgh
Encyclopedia
Gustave Albert Lansburgh (January 7, 1876 - April, 1969) was an American
architect, largely known for his work on luxury cinemas and theatres. He was the principal architect of theaters on the West Coast
from 1900 - 1930.
and raised largely in San Francisco, California
. After graduating from that city's Boys High School
in 1894, Lansburgh enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley
. While a student there, he worked part time in the offices of prominent San Francisco architect Bernard Maybeck
. Upon graduation from Berkeley, he moved to Paris, France where, in 1901, he was enrolled in the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts
, from which he earned a diploma in March, 1906.
Lansburgh returned to the Bay Area
in May, 1906, one month after the region had been devastated by San Francisco Earthquake and the city largely consumed by fire. First in partnership with Bernard Julius Joseph for two years, then in his own practice, Lansburgh designed numerous buildings in the recovering city. Among these was his first theater, for the San Francisco based Orpheum Theater Circuit
. In his long career thereafter, Lansburgh become known primarily as a theater architect, designing more than 50 of them, many for the Orpheum Circuit and its successor firm, RKO. He continued to design other buildings, including Oakland's Temple Sinai
in 1914.
He also collaborated with local architects A.M. Edelman and John C. Austin
on the Shrine Auditorium
in Los Angeles
, and with Arthur Brown Jr
. on the War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco)
. Though many of Lansburgh's best known works, including El Capitan Theatre
in Hollywood, were on the west coast, his personal favorite was said to have been the Al Hirschfeld Theatre
(originally the Martin Beck Theatre) in New York City
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect, largely known for his work on luxury cinemas and theatres. He was the principal architect of theaters on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
from 1900 - 1930.
Life and career
Lansburgh was born in PanamaPanama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
and raised largely in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. After graduating from that city's Boys High School
Lowell High School (San Francisco)
Lowell High School is a public magnet school in San Francisco, California. The school opened in 1856 as the Union Grammar School and attained its current name in 1896. Lowell moved to its current location in the Merced Manor neighborhood in 1962....
in 1894, Lansburgh enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. While a student there, he worked part time in the offices of prominent San Francisco architect Bernard Maybeck
Bernard Maybeck
Bernard Ralph Maybeck was a architect in the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th century. He was a professor at University of California, Berkeley...
. Upon graduation from Berkeley, he moved to Paris, France where, in 1901, he was enrolled in the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
, from which he earned a diploma in March, 1906.
Lansburgh returned to the Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
in May, 1906, one month after the region had been devastated by San Francisco Earthquake and the city largely consumed by fire. First in partnership with Bernard Julius Joseph for two years, then in his own practice, Lansburgh designed numerous buildings in the recovering city. Among these was his first theater, for the San Francisco based Orpheum Theater Circuit
Orpheum Circuit, Inc.
Orpheum Circuit, Inc., was a company started by Martin Beck who owned a series of vaudeville theaters and motion picture theaters.- The company :...
. In his long career thereafter, Lansburgh become known primarily as a theater architect, designing more than 50 of them, many for the Orpheum Circuit and its successor firm, RKO. He continued to design other buildings, including Oakland's Temple Sinai
Temple Sinai (Oakland, California)
Temple Sinai is a Reform synagogue located at 2808 Summit Street in Oakland, California, United States...
in 1914.
He also collaborated with local architects A.M. Edelman and John C. Austin
John C. Austin
John Corneby Wilson Austin was an architect and civic leader who participated in the design of several landmark buildings in Southern California, including the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles City Hall, and the Shrine Auditorium.- Life :Born in Bodicote, Oxfordshire, England, Austin was an...
on the Shrine Auditorium
Shrine Auditorium
The Shrine Auditorium is a landmark large-event venue, in Los Angeles, California, USA. It is also the headquarters of the Al Malaikah Temple, a division of the Shriners.-History:...
in 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 with Arthur Brown Jr
Arthur Brown Jr
Arthur Brown, Jr. was a prominent American architect, based in San Francisco and designer of many of its landmarks.-Career:Brown was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1896, where he and his future partner, John Bakewell, Jr. , also a...
. on the War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco)
War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco)
The War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California is located on the western side of Van Ness Avenue across from the rear facade of City Hall. It is part of the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center...
. Though many of Lansburgh's best known works, including El Capitan Theatre
El Capitan Theatre
El Capitan Theatre is a fully restored movie palace at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. It is owned by Pacific Theatres and operated by the Walt Disney Company. It serves as the venue for many of Walt Disney Pictures' movie premieres...
in Hollywood, were on the west coast, his personal favorite was said to have been the Al Hirschfeld Theatre
Al Hirschfeld Theatre
The Al Hirschfeld Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 302 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan.Designed by architect G. Albert Lansburgh for vaudeville promoter Martin Beck, the theatre opened as the Martin Beck Theatre with a production of Madame Pompadour on November 11, 1924. It...
(originally the Martin Beck Theatre) in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Partial list of theatres designed
- Palace Theatre, Downtown Los Angeles, 1911
- Martin Beck TheatreAl Hirschfeld TheatreThe Al Hirschfeld Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 302 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan.Designed by architect G. Albert Lansburgh for vaudeville promoter Martin Beck, the theatre opened as the Martin Beck Theatre with a production of Madame Pompadour on November 11, 1924. It...
, New YorkTheatre District, New YorkThe Theater District is an area in Midtown Manhattan where most Broadway theaters are located, as well as many other theaters, movie theaters, restaurants, hotels and other places of entertainment. It extends from 40th Street to 54th Street, and from west of Sixth Avenue to east of Eighth Avenue,...
, 1924 - El Capitan TheatreEl Capitan TheatreEl Capitan Theatre is a fully restored movie palace at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. It is owned by Pacific Theatres and operated by the Walt Disney Company. It serves as the venue for many of Walt Disney Pictures' movie premieres...
, Hollywood, 1926 - Orpheum TheaterOrpheum Theatre (Los Angeles)The Orpheum Theatre on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, California, opened on February 15, 1926, as the fourth and final Los Angeles venue for the Orpheum vaudeville circuit. After a $3 million renovation, started in 1989, it is the most restored of the historical movie palaces in the city.The...
, Downtown Los AngelesBroadway Theater and Commercial DistrictBroadway Theater and Commercial District in Downtown Los Angeles is the first and largest historic theater district listed on the National Register of Historic Places...
, 1926 - Shrine AuditoriumShrine AuditoriumThe Shrine Auditorium is a landmark large-event venue, in Los Angeles, California, USA. It is also the headquarters of the Al Malaikah Temple, a division of the Shriners.-History:...
, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos 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...
, 1926 - Warner Hollywood TheatreHollywood Pacific TheatreHollywood Pacific Theatre is a movie theatre located at 6433 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood, California on Hollywood's famous Hollywood Walk of Fame.-Beginnings:...
, Hollywood, 1928 - Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, 1931