Alhambra Theatre #2, Downtown, Seattle, WA (1909)

AKA: Alhambra Theater #2, Downtown, Seattle, WA; Wilkes Theatre, Downtown, Seattle, WA

Structure Type: built works - performing arts structures - theatres

Designers: Saunders and Lawton, Architects (firm); George Willis Lawton (architect); Hans Pederson Sr. (building contractor); Charles Willard Saunders (architect)

Dates: constructed 1909

click to open gallery Advertisement for the Wilkes Theatre, Seattle, WA. 1921. From Wilkes Theatre advertisement, Seattle Star, 08/30/1921, p. 3
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Pine Street and Westlake Avenue
Downtown, Seattle , WA 98101
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The Alhambra Theatre #2 was located on the southeast corner of the Pine Street and Westlake Avenue.

Building History

The firm of Saunders and Lawton produced the design for the 1600-seat Alhambra Theatre #2. It opened for business on 07/21/1909 at the southwest corner of 5th Avenue and Pine Street. The theatre originally staged vaudeville shows, concerts, and occaisonal films. By 04/1921, operating as the Wilkes Theatre, its owners switched it to a fare of only motion pictures. It did not prosper showing films, and became an rental assembly hall in 1922 and a year later was converted into a women's clothing store, Best's Apparel. Subesequently, Nordstrom operated in the space.

Building Notes

A model of the Alhambra Theatre's front elevation was illustrated in the Seattle Architectural Club Yearbook of 1910, n.p.

PCAD id: 11891

Publications

Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD) — © 2005-Alan Michelson

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