Olympia Theater and Office Building
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Olympia Theater and Office Building | |
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| Location | 174 East Flagler Street, Miami, Florida |
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| Coordinates | 25°46′27.12″N 80°11′25.8606″W / 25.7742000°N 80.190516833°WCoordinates: 25°46′27.12″N 80°11′25.8606″W / 25.7742000°N 80.190516833°W |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | John Eberson |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP Reference # | 84000839[1] |
| Added to NRHP | March 8, 1984 |
The Olympia Theater and Office Building is a historic theater in Miami, Florida. It is located at 174 East Flagler Street. The original architect was theatre designer John Eberson, in his 'atmospheric' style. The Olympia is similar to the Tampa Theatre, also designed by Eberson a short time later; the two are the only surviving atmospheric theaters in Florida.[2]
History
The Olympia Theater opened on February 18, 1926, and as an atmospheric theater it treated its patrons to a simulated Spanish garden, surrounded on three sides by the walls of a villa. Elaborately equipped, it was said to have been the first theater in the South to have air conditioning. The building used Mediterranean elements in its design, though the style was popular in South Florida, it was not typically used on buildings as tall as the ten-story Olympia office building.[2]
Presenting silent films at its opening, the Olympia was soon used for talkies and Vaudeville. The Olympia hosted performances by Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Luciano Pavarotti and Etta James. The rock band, The Police, played the Olympia Theater on October 26, 1979 on the tour for their 2nd album Regatta De Blanc. The show was broadcast on radio and also filmed and shown on TV in the United Kingdom. The building went into a period of decline in the 1970s and 1980s. After several renovations it is again in use as an entertainment center.[3]
Significance
On March 8, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as an outstanding example of atmospheric theater design, and for its Mediterranean Revival architecture.[2] On April 18, 2012, the American Institute of Architects's Florida Chapter placed the building on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places as the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.[4]
References
- ↑ Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- 1 2 3 Sarah Eaton; Michael F. Zimny (January 26, 1984). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Olympia Theater and Office Building" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2015-08-18. 14 Photos
- ↑ "About the Olympia Theater". Olympia Theater. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
- ↑ "Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places". AIA Florida. Retrieved 26 October 2015. Includes the full list
External links
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Media related to Olympia Theater, Miami FL at Wikimedia Commons - Official website
