Princess Theatre
Edmonton, CANADÀ 2024
The Princess Theatre is the oldest surviving cinema and theatre in Edmonton, located in the heart of the historic Old Strathcona district, on Whyte Avenue.
Key Points:
Historical Significance: It was constructed by John W. McKernan in 1914 and opened in 1915. It is a registered Provincial Historic Place and was considered one of the "most complete and beautiful" buildings of its kind in Western Canada.
Architecture: The three-story building features a symmetrical façade clad in British Columbia marble with classical detailing, originally including the main auditorium and a basement billiards room.
Function: Originally devoted to "high class moving pictures," vaudeville, and musical concerts, it temporarily closed in 1958 due to competition from television but was later restored and reopened. Before the COVID-19 closure, it was known as a two-screen art-house cinema (the main theatre and Princess II in the basement).
Current Status: The theatre temporarily closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, and the building has since been listed for sale, prompting community concern about the future of this cultural icon.
Princess Theatre
Edmonton, CANADÀ 2024
The Princess Theatre is the oldest surviving cinema and theatre in Edmonton, located in the heart of the historic Old Strathcona district, on Whyte Avenue.
Key Points:
Historical Significance: It was constructed by John W. McKernan in 1914 and opened in 1915. It is a registered Provincial Historic Place and was considered one of the "most complete and beautiful" buildings of its kind in Western Canada.
Architecture: The three-story building features a symmetrical façade clad in British Columbia marble with classical detailing, originally including the main auditorium and a basement billiards room.
Function: Originally devoted to "high class moving pictures," vaudeville, and musical concerts, it temporarily closed in 1958 due to competition from television but was later restored and reopened. Before the COVID-19 closure, it was known as a two-screen art-house cinema (the main theatre and Princess II in the basement).
Current Status: The theatre temporarily closed in 2020 due to the pandemic, and the building has since been listed for sale, prompting community concern about the future of this cultural icon.