The Royal Theater on South Street, Philadelphia
African American History Architecture Blues Music Buildings First Ever ... Jazz Music Preservation / Protection Needed Theaters
Virtual
The Royal Theater on South Street, Philadelphia
This 1200-seat theater was built in 1919 and operated until 1970. Pearl Bailey, Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, and Cab Calloway played there. It is in bad shape today, and preservationists worry about whether it will be saved.
| Publication date | Jun 24, 2018 |
| Neighborhood |
Property ID: 133
Updated on: Aug 29, 2022
This 1200-seat theater was built in 1919 and operated until 1970. Pearl Bailey, Fats Waller, Bessie Smith, and Cab Calloway played there. It is in bad shape today, and preservationists worry about whether it will be saved.
info
Location:
The Royal Theater , 1524 South Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19146, United States
, .
, .
Listing Category:
African American History Architecture Blues Music Buildings First Ever ... Jazz Music Preservation / Protection Needed Theaters
Virtual / Real:
Virtual
Created Date:
06-24-2018
Created by
×
Comments
Name : plaquemaster
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : There is a good article on this theater in the Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/13/92, at B1. It says that it was built in 1919 by architect Frank E. Hahn, who designed the YMHA at Broad and Pine Streets. Billy Paul got his start here, singing duets with his twin sister, according to the article.
Date : 2012-08-30
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : There is a good article on this theater in the Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/13/92, at B1. It says that it was built in 1919 by architect Frank E. Hahn, who designed the YMHA at Broad and Pine Streets. Billy Paul got his start here, singing duets with his twin sister, according to the article.
Date : 2012-08-30
Name : plaquemaster
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Inga Saffrons Philadelphia Inquirer article of 11/22/13, at D1,7, was about trying to save the Royal, and also the Boyd, another great old Philly theater. Things are not looking good for either one. She writes that when the Royal opened in 1920, it was Phillys first black-owned theater.
Date : 2013-11-24
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Inga Saffrons Philadelphia Inquirer article of 11/22/13, at D1,7, was about trying to save the Royal, and also the Boyd, another great old Philly theater. Things are not looking good for either one. She writes that when the Royal opened in 1920, it was Phillys first black-owned theater.
Date : 2013-11-24
Name : plaquemaster
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : News stories today say that Dranoff Properties will probably develop this site leaving just the facade of the Royal Theater.
Date : 2015-02-11
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : News stories today say that Dranoff Properties will probably develop this site leaving just the facade of the Royal Theater.
Date : 2015-02-11
Name : plaquemaster
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Robert Roskamp has bought this property, planning to build townhouses here but keeping the facade. See the Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/26/16 at p. A9.
Date : 2016-10-27
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Robert Roskamp has bought this property, planning to build townhouses here but keeping the facade. See the Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/26/16 at p. A9.
Date : 2016-10-27
Name : markerwriter
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Only the facade of the old Royal Theater was preserved as it became apartments, houses, restaurant and bar. There are criminal charges pending involving bribery pertaining to its rezoning. See the Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/27/22, at p. B4.
Date : 2022-04-03
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Only the facade of the old Royal Theater was preserved as it became apartments, houses, restaurant and bar. There are criminal charges pending involving bribery pertaining to its rezoning. See the Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/27/22, at p. B4.
Date : 2022-04-03
Name : markerwriter
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : There was once a mural honoring Jessie Frisby on the wall of the Royal Theater, see http://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/jessie-frisby-obituary-south-street-fashion-community-20220817.html.
Date : 2022-08-28
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : There was once a mural honoring Jessie Frisby on the wall of the Royal Theater, see http://www.inquirer.com/obituaries/jessie-frisby-obituary-south-street-fashion-community-20220817.html.
Date : 2022-08-28
Email : sjkc0072@aol.com
Comments : Philadelphia Inquirer architectural writer Inga Saffron wrote an article about the current status of the Royal Theater in her 7/19/13 column, at pp. D1, D4. The owner, Kenny Gamble (the music producer) wants to do a facadectomy, that is, leave the facade up as a gateway to a housing development. Preservationists are still trying to save this historic building.
Date : 2013-08-08