United Artists Theater

The United Artists Theater located in the Downtown district of Los Angeles was designed by the architect C. Howard Crane for the United Artists film studio. The studio was founded by Hollywood giants D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Mary Pickford.

This classic movie palace was one of many constructed by United Artists to premiere their film slate. The Theater occupies three floors of the 13-story building and has a 1,600-seat auditorium.

After its heyday as a UA venue came to an end, the movie palace changed hands several times. By 1989, the Theater was no longer screening films. In a recent incarnation, the building served as headquarters for the University Cathedral, the church headed by colorful televangelist Dr. Gene Scott from 1989 until his death in 2005. At one point, the building was claimed to house the largest collection of Bibles in private hands.

The Ace Hotel took over the building and restored the theater, re-opening with concerts by the British rock band Spiritualized. The building remains a historic district contributing property in the Broadway Theater District on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

Written By: Accidentally Wes Anderson