Balboa Theatre

Balboa Theatre is a historic theater and entertainment venue in downtown San Diego, California. Built in 1924, it began as an ornate movie palace and vaudeville house associated with the Fox West Coast theater circuit. Its architecture combines Moorish and Spanish Revival influences, reflecting the theatrical design language used for many early twentieth-century American movie palaces. The original auditorium had a single balcony and approximately 1,513 seats. Waterfalls positioned near the proscenium were designed to provide cooling, an unusual feature that illustrates how early theaters combined spectacle with practical building engineering. The theater was commissioned by businessman Robert E. Hicks and designed by architect William H. Wheeler. Construction was carried out by the Wurster Construction Company at a reported cost of $800,000. During its early years, Balboa presented both live vaudeville and motion pictures, with performances supported by an orchestra and pipe organ. The venue’s musical history included a large Robert Morton organ, and organist Edward Swan worked there during 1925 and 1926. In 1930, the building was adapted for sound films and received a new neon marquee. Four years later it was remodeled and reopened as Teatro Balboa, showing Spanish-language films. During World War II, office areas in the building were converted into housing for U.S. Navy personnel. After the war, the theater’s role as a movie house declined. The Russo family acquired it in 1959, and the building was recognized as a local historic site in 1972. Its survival subsequently became uncertain. Plans connected with the 1973 Horton Plaza redevelopment project contemplated major changes, while the Centre City Development Corporation considered removing the historic interior and converting the structure to commercial use. Preservation advocates organized in response. In 1985, Steve Karo and other supporters formed the Save Our Balboa Organization, which campaigned against demolition and argued for restoration. The organization later evolved into the Balboa Theatre Foundation. The preservation campaign ultimately helped secure the theater’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. A full restoration began in 2005 after the Centre City Development Corporation reversed its earlier direction and committed to preserving and rehabilitating the building. The project was funded and managed through the redevelopment organization, with restoration architecture by Westlake Reed Leskosky, now part of DLR Group. The reported project cost was $26.5 million. Balboa Theatre reopened in 2008 as a live-performance venue rather than returning primarily to its former use as a cinema. A further heritage project brought a 1929 Wonder Morton organ to the theater. The Balboa Theatre Foundation acquired the four-manual, 23-rank instrument from Pennsylvania, arranged a five-year restoration, and rededicated it at Balboa in 2009. The theater’s original Robert Morton organ had previously been moved to the Fox Theatre, now known as Jacobs Music Center. In its current role, Balboa Theatre hosts concerts, special events, touring Broadway productions, and performances associated with the Mainly Mozart Festival. The City of San Diego also uses the venue for its annual State of the City address. Its present identity therefore combines historic preservation, civic use, music, theater, and cultural programming.

Balboa Theatre was constructed in 1924 in downtown San Diego for businessman Robert E. Hicks. Architect William H. Wheeler designed the building, and the Wurster Construction Company carried out the work. The reported construction cost was $800,000. Conceived as a grand movie palace and vaudeville theater, the building used Moorish and Spanish Revival design elements and originally contained a single balcony with seating for about 1,513 people. Waterfalls beside the proscenium arch provided an early form of auditorium cooling while also contributing to the venue’s theatrical character. The theater operated within the Fox West Coast circuit and presented a combination of motion pictures and live vaudeville. Performances were accompanied by an orchestra and pipe organ. Organist Edward Swan worked at Balboa during 1925 and 1926, when the venue was equipped with a 426-pipe Robert Morton organ. In 1930, the building was modified for sound pictures and received a new neon marquee. A 1934 remodeling changed its public identity to Teatro Balboa, with Spanish-language films becoming part of its programming. During World War II, portions of the theater’s office space were adapted as housing for U.S. Navy personnel. The venue declined as a movie house after World War II. The Russo family purchased it in 1959, and San Diego recognized the property as a historic site in 1972. Its future became contested during redevelopment planning for the Horton Plaza area. Although restoration had been contemplated, the City of San Diego condemned the theater, and the Centre City Development Corporation developed plans that would have gutted the interior and introduced commercial floorspace. Preservationists organized to oppose the proposal. In 1985, Steve Karo and other advocates established the Save Our Balboa Organization. The campaign built public support for retaining the theater and eventually developed into the Balboa Theatre Foundation. The preservation effort helped secure National Register of Historic Places listing in 1996. After approximately two decades of advocacy, the Centre City Development Corporation changed course and funded a comprehensive restoration. Work began in 2005 under the management of the redevelopment organization, with restoration architecture by Westlake Reed Leskosky, now DLR Group. The reported cost was $26.5 million. Balboa Theatre reopened in 2008, with its historic fabric adapted for contemporary live performances, concerts, touring theater, festivals, and civic events. The Balboa Theatre Foundation also undertook the recovery of a historic pipe organ. A 1929 Wonder Morton organ was purchased in Pennsylvania, restored over five years, and installed at Balboa. The four-manual, 23-rank instrument was rededicated in 2009. The theater’s original Robert Morton organ had previously been transferred to the Fox Theatre, now Jacobs Music Center. Today, Balboa Theatre functions as a civic and cultural venue, hosting Mainly Mozart Festival events, special programs, touring Broadway companies, concerts, and the City of San Diego’s annual State of the City address.

• 2009

  Wonder Morton organ rededicated

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  A restored 1929 Wonder Morton organ is installed and rededicated at the theater.

• 2008

  Reopens as a performing-arts venue

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  Following restoration, Balboa Theatre resumes operation with live theater, concerts, touring productions, and special events.

• 2005

  Comprehensive restoration begins

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  A major restoration project begins under the management and funding of the Centre City Development Corporation.

• 1996

  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  The Balboa Theatre Foundation succeeds in securing National Register of Historic Places listing for the theater.

• 1985

  Preservation campaign begins

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  Steve Karo and other advocates form the Save Our Balboa Organization to oppose destruction and promote restoration.

• 1972

  Recognized as a historic site

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  Balboa Theatre receives local historic-site designation.

• 1959

  Acquired by the Russo family

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  The Russo family purchases the theater during the period when its role as a movie house is declining.

• 1934

  Reopens as Teatro Balboa

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  Following remodeling, the venue reopens under the name Teatro Balboa and presents Spanish-language films.

• 1930

  Sound-film conversion

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  The theater is upgraded to present sound pictures and receives a new neon marquee.

• 1924

  The theater opens

  [1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  Balboa Theatre is built in downtown San Diego as a movie palace and vaudeville venue designed by William H. Wheeler for businessman Robert E. Hicks.

A restored downtown San Diego movie palace positioned as a heritage-rich performing-arts, concert, touring-theater, and civic-events venue.

• Performing arts · 2008

  Live theater and touring productions

  Balboa Theatre presents live theatrical programming, including touring Broadway productions and other touring companies. This use represents the building’s principal post-restoration role and adapts its historic auditorium for contemporary stage performance.

• Music venue · 2008

  Concerts and festival performances

  The venue hosts concerts and cultural festival events, including programming associated with the Mainly Mozart Festival. Its restored architectural setting and historic pipe organ are central elements of the audience experience.

• Events venue · 2008

  Civic and special events

  Balboa Theatre is used for civic ceremonies, public presentations, and special events. The City of San Diego holds its annual State of the City address at the theater, extending the venue’s role beyond commercial entertainment.

• Historic musical instrument · 2009

  Wonder Morton organ

  The theater houses a restored 1929 Wonder Morton organ acquired from Pennsylvania. The four-manual, 23-rank instrument was restored over five years and rededicated at Balboa in 2009.

• 1996National Register preservation effort

  United States

  The Balboa Theatre Foundation pursued formal historic recognition as part of its broader effort to protect the theater from redevelopment-related alteration or demolition.

  Outcome. Balboa Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  Source
• 1985Save Our Balboa preservation campaign

  San Diego

  Local preservation advocates led by Steve Karo created the Save Our Balboa Organization to oppose proposals that would have destroyed or gutted the historic theater and to build public support for restoration.

  Outcome. The campaign helped preserve the building and later developed into the Balboa Theatre Foundation, which continued advocacy and supported National Register listing.

  Source

• 2009

  Historic organ acquisition and installationOther

  Background

  The restored theater sought to recover a historically appropriate organ for performances and heritage programming.

  Action taken

  The Balboa Theatre Foundation purchased a 1929 Wonder Morton organ in Pennsylvania, funded and completed a five-year restoration, and relocated the instrument to Balboa Theatre.

  Aftermath

  The four-manual, 23-rank organ was rededicated at the theater and became part of its historic musical identity.

  Source

• 2005

  Redevelopment authorities choose restoration over commercial conversionStrategy

  Background

  Earlier redevelopment plans had contemplated gutting the theater and converting substantial portions of the property to commercial space. After sustained preservation advocacy, the Centre City Development Corporation changed direction.

  Action taken

  The organization funded and managed a comprehensive restoration, working with Westlake Reed Leskosky, now DLR Group.

  Aftermath

  The restoration began in 2005, cost a reported $26.5 million, and led to the theater’s reopening as a performing-arts venue in 2008.

  Reported restoration cost. $26.5 million (Restoration project beginning in 2005)

  Source

• 2009

  Wonder Morton organ rededicated at Balboa Theatre[1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Balboa Theatre Foundation completed the restoration and relocation of a 1929 Wonder Morton organ from Pennsylvania, returning a major historic organ to the venue.

• 2008

  Balboa Theatre opens as a restored performing-arts venue[1]Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  After a restoration that began in 2005, the historic downtown theater reopened for live theater, concerts, touring productions, and other cultural events.

1. 1Balboa Theatre (San Diego)en.wikipedia.org