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Atlanta's Fox Theatre: A Palace Saved From Demolition
7 Oct
Summary
- Originally built for Shriners, it became a movie palace in 1929.
- Community saved the theatre from demolition for a new headquarters.
- The Fox Theatre hosts over 250 performances annually.
The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, a building resembling a palace with its gold details and towering domes, first opened its doors on Christmas Day in 1929. Originally intended as a Shriners' headquarters inspired by ancient architecture, its design proved too costly. The Shriners leased the building to cinema entrepreneur William Fox.
Despite opening during the grand movie-palace era, the theatre faced financial hardship and entered bankruptcy in 1932, continuing to operate through auctions. By the late 1960s, neglect set in, mirroring the decline of many historic theatres.
In 1974, Southern Bell planned to demolish the Fox for a new headquarters. A significant grassroots campaign, "Save The Fox," rallied community support, raising $3 million to acquire and preserve the building. This effort allowed Atlanta Landmarks to take over and restore the theatre.
The Fox reopened in 1975, demonstrating the power of local preservation. Today, operated by Fox Theater, Inc., it remains a crucial cultural venue, hosting over 250 diverse performances each year, from Broadway shows to concerts.
