The Penypack Theatre is an historic, American, Art Deco -style movie house that is located on the 8000 block of Frankford Avenue of Holmesburg in the northeast section of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania .
7-400: Built in 1929 and designed by architect William Harold Lee , this theater was designed with a 1,364-seat capacity. Among its features is a sizable stage house at its back which suggests it was likely designed both for motion picture presentations as well as live performances. Originally called the "Holme Theatre," it was renamed in honor of nearby Pennypack Park in 1946. Built at the start of
14-399: A furniture and appliance store, before being boarded up completely soon at the start of the twenty-first century. Currently the building houses a Pizza Hut/Wing Street and a Dollar Tree store. 40°02′31″N 75°01′34″W / 40.0419°N 75.0261°W / 40.0419; -75.0261 William Harold Lee William Harold Lee (December 9, 1884 – February 3, 1971)
21-1130: The Astor Theater in Reading, Pennsylvania and Victoria Theatre in Shamokin, Pennsylvania . In most cases those which still exist today are being restored. These include the Anthony Wayne in Wayne, Pennsylvania , the Majestic Theatre in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania , the Bryn Mawr Theatre in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania , the Hiway Theatre in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania , the Lansdowne Theatre in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania , and
28-543: The Great Depression , it appears the theater was never used to its full potential. Operating through the Depression years as a movie theater, it was never upgraded to be competitive with newer theaters built after the Depression ended. Sometime during the late 1950s, it was shut down as a theater and then briefly used as an auction house. When this alternative use failed, it became a carpet outlet for many years, and finally
35-686: The Landis Theater in Vineland , New Jersey. In 1920, Lee was commissioned for the renovation of the Walnut Street Theatre at 9th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia. The Walnut, a National Historic Landmark , is the oldest theater in the United States in continuous operation. The Royal Theatre at 1524 South Street in Philadelphia, was designed in two phases. Architect Frank E. Hahn designed
42-567: The exterior in 1920, and Lee contributed the design of the interior in 1925. The two designs represent divergent styles of architecture, with Lee's French -inspired Art Deco interior at odds with Hahn's exterior. Lee frequently used the Art Deco style to modernize theaters designed in more traditional styles. Lee designed the Pennypack Theatre in Art Deco style, located on the 8000 block of Frankford Avenue of Holmesburg. In 1928, Lee designed
49-646: Was an American 20th century movie theater designer and later the chief architect for Eastern College . He was a protégé of acclaimed Philadelphia architect Frank Furness . Lee attended Trinity College for a year, before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania where he studied architecture. During his career, Lee designed numerous theaters and several buildings at Temple University , Franklin and Marshall College . Many of his theaters have only recently begun to receive critical recognition, and while some of his greatest theaters have been demolished, such as
#632367