The Rex Theatre (often called simply "the Rex") is a historic building at 18 North Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola.
| Rex Theatre | |
 The Rex Theatre on Palafox | |
| Building Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | 18 N Palafox Street Pensacola, FL 32501 |
| Current Owner | Tim Hogan |
| Completion Date | 1930 (?) |
| Cost | $95,000 (1984) $25,000 (1997) $425,000 (2004) |
| Renovations | 1937, 2001 |
| Style | Art Deco |
| Size | 40'x150' three stories 650 seats |
| <googlemap lat="30.413752" lon="-87.215481" type="map" zoom="17" width="300" height="150">
30.413641, -87.215258, Rex Theatre </googlemap> | |
Contents
History
The theater building was constructed in 1930[date uncertain] as the Rhodes Futch Collins Furniture Company. The company later changed its name to Rhodes-Collins, which can still be seen in faded lettering on the side of the building, and again to simply Rhodes Furniture.
When the furniture company moved to a new, larger building nearby (now known as the Rhodes Building), the old building was refurbished by the Saenger Amusement Company to serve as a second-run movie theater, complementing the company's nearby Isis and Saenger Theatres. The estimated cost of the renovation was $30,000, and the Rex Theatre opened on November 1, 1937.[1]
Warren McGee was manager in 1941.[2]
After closing in (date needed), the building was nearly demolished. It was sold to the City of Pensacola in 1984 for $95,000. Architects J.P. and Michelle MacNeil bought the theater in 1997 for $25,000, renovated it, and converted part of it to a 1,920 sq.ft. apartment.[3] It was sold again in 2004 for $425,000 to Tim Hogan, the current owner, who has stated an intention to reopen the Rex as a "high-tech, retro-themed" venue for movies and concerts.[4] However, further renovations are still needed to bring the building up to code, and as of 2007 the Rex has not reopened.
Local firm Bounds Architecture Studio (formerly called MAD Architects) claimed to be renovating the Rex in their response to an RFQ for the Community Maritime Park.[5] In summer 2007, posters for the Bounds firm appeared on the Rex confirming their role in the renovation. Rick Outzen also reported rumors on his blog that the Rex might reopen as a live music venue by the end of 2007.[6] As of 2008, however, the Rex remains dormant.
Other images
The Rex building as the Rhodes Futch Collins Furniture Store (lower-right)
Trivia
- Retired USN LCDR Joseph Hill died in the theater on March 3, 1943.[7]
External links & references
- Before and after photos of the MacNeil renovation
- Roadside Architecture
- Escambia County Property Appraiser parcel detail
- ↑ "Saenger Building Pensacola House." Boxoffice, September 18, 1937.
- ↑ "Concerning Florida." Boxoffice, March 8, 1941.
- ↑ Escambia County Property Appraiser record
- ↑ Loaded Gun, July 5, 2006
- ↑ PDF at City of Pensacola website
- ↑ http://ricksblog.biz/?p=1596
- ↑ http://www.rootsweb.com/~flescamb/F-Psurname_Hh.htm