Landmark Theatre

Landmark Theatre is a historic theater in downtown Syracuse, New York, on South Salina Street. Originally known as Loew's State Theatre, it opened on February 18, 1928, with a program combining first-run films and vaudeville stage acts. Designed by architect Thomas W. Lamb, it is described in the supplied source as Syracuse's only surviving example of the opulent theatrical venues built in the 1920s. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After attendance declined and the building fell into disrepair, the venue closed in 1975 and faced the possibility of demolition. Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre (SALT) formed in 1976 to preserve and renovate it. A 1977 benefit concert helped SALT raise money to purchase the property, and the Loew's State name was replaced by Landmark Theatre. The venue has since been used for performances and other events; a major renovation from 2010 to 2011 expanded its backstage facilities and upgraded loading and box-office arrangements. The Landmark is a locally rooted cultural venue rather than a broad retail or product brand. Its building also contains storefront and office space, while upper floors known as the Loews Building include condominium apartments. The supplied evidence identifies SALT as the theater's owner, but does not provide a current executive roster, a complete event programme, or an official website URL.

Loew's Corporation announced plans for a new Syracuse theater on February 19, 1926, at the intersection of South Salina and West Jefferson streets, on the former site of the Jefferson Hotel. Designed by Thomas W. Lamb, Loew's State Theatre opened on February 18, 1928. Its programme paired first-run films with vaudeville stage acts. The theater's design drew on European, Byzantine, and Romanesque influences, and its red-and-gold decor and murals became defining features. Its original amenities included a large lobby chandelier and a 1,400-pipe Wurlitzer organ; both were gone by the time preservation efforts began. The theater continued to attract business during the Great Depression and World War II, but by the 1970s it was suffering from low attendance and disrepair. It closed in 1975 and was threatened with demolition. Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre (SALT) formed in 1976 to save and renovate the building. Concert impresario Murray Bernthal and his first wife, Rose, were among those involved in the effort, and Rose became the organization’s first executive director in 1977. A benefit concert by Harry Chapin on October 11, 1977, helped raise $65,000 toward purchasing the property. SALT acquired the theater, which was renamed Landmark Theatre; the remainder of the building, including its upper floors, stayed with then-owner Sutton Real Estate. The theater later acquired the building's first two floors. On September 12, 2008, it hosted the world premiere of The Express, a film about Syracuse University alumnus Ernie Davis. From October 2010 through November 2011, a $16 million renovation expanded the backstage area, added dressing and green rooms, replaced the aging rear loading dock with a two-bay dock, and moved the box office to South Salina Street beside the lobby entrance. The surrounding property also includes storefronts and offices. Upper floors, referred to collectively as the Loews Building, have a separate West Jefferson Street entrance; three floors were converted into 24 condominium apartments by developer Robert Doucette. The restored lobby is reserved for special events.

• Loew's Corporation announces a new Syracuse theater

• Loew's State Theatre opens

• The theater closes amid declining attendance and disrepair

• Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre (SALT) is formed to preserve the venue

• SALT acquires the theater and it is renamed Landmark Theatre

• The Express holds its world premiere at the theater

• Major renovation expands backstage facilities

A historic, locally significant performance venue whose appeal is rooted in its 1920s movie-palace architecture and preservation history.

• Live performances and events

  The theater operates as a venue for performances and events in its historic auditorium.

• SALT forms to preserve and renovate the theaterOther

• The venue undertakes a major backstage and access renovationOther

1. 1Landmark Theatre (Syracuse, New York)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Landmark Theatrewikidata.org