Newton Theater
The Newton Theater was an Art Deco movie theater in Washington, D.C.'s Brookland neighborhood that later became a community film venue, concert space, and pharmacy.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Newton Theater was a neighborhood movie theater at 3601 12th Street Northeast in Brookland, Washington, D.C. The building was designed by architect John Jacob Zink, a prolific designer of movie theaters in the Washington region, and opened on July 29, 1937. Its first screening was I Met Him in Paris, a romantic comedy starring Claudette Colbert and Robert Young. The theater's architecture followed the Art Deco vocabulary associated with late-1930s American cinemas, and the building's exterior retained distinctive elements such as a projecting marquee, a ziggurat-like form, and period signage. The Newton Theater operated as a neighborhood cinema for several decades before closing in the mid-1960s. The Catholic University of America subsequently acquired the property and used the building through 1971. The venue later returned to film exhibition in the late 1970s under the Brookland Community Corporation, reflecting a community-oriented attempt to preserve or reactivate the former theater. That phase ended in 1979. The building found a different cultural role in 1984, when it hosted a series of punk-rock concerts. Performers associated with the venue included Hüsker Dü, Government Issue, Negative Approach, Void, Iron Cross, 9353, Honor Role, and Malefice. These shows connected the former cinema with Washington's influential underground music scene and represent one of the best-known later uses of the site. In the 1990s, the building was converted into a Peoples Drug store. After CVS acquired Peoples Drug, the location was rebranded as CVS/pharmacy. The pharmacy use retained several recognizable Art Deco features, including the marquee, ziggurat, and sign structure, although the sign was altered to display the CVS/pharmacy identity. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, recognizing its architectural and historical significance despite the loss of its original cinema operation. Newton Theater is therefore best understood as a historic local venue and architectural landmark rather than an active entertainment brand.
History
Newton Theater was built as a neighborhood movie palace in Brookland, a residential area of Northeast Washington, D.C. Designed by John Jacob Zink, whose work included more than 200 movie-theater projects in the region, the building opened on July 29, 1937. Its opening presentation was I Met Him in Paris, starring Claudette Colbert and Robert Young. The theater's Art Deco design gave it a distinctive architectural presence, with a marquee, ziggurat-inspired massing, and signage that remained visually important even after the building's original use ended. The cinema operated for many years as a local film venue before closing in the mid-1960s. The Catholic University of America then purchased the property and used it until 1971. This institutional period interrupted the building's role as a public movie theater, but it did not result in demolition or complete loss of the structure. In the late 1970s, the Brookland Community Corporation brought film screenings back to the building. The community-led revival was short-lived and concluded in 1979. The site subsequently became part of Washington's punk-rock history. During 1984, the former theater hosted concerts by a range of local and touring punk and hardcore acts, including Hüsker Dü, Government Issue, Negative Approach, Void, Iron Cross, 9353, Honor Role, and Malefice. These performances used the old cinema in a new way: not as a conventional first-run theater, but as a large and recognizable setting for underground music. The concert period was temporary, yet it added an important layer to the building's cultural history. During the 1990s, the property was converted into a Peoples Drug store. CVS later acquired Peoples Drug and rebranded the location as CVS/pharmacy. The conversion altered the building's commercial identity, but the new use preserved several exterior Art Deco features, including the marquee, ziggurat, and sign structure. The sign was modified to carry CVS/pharmacy branding rather than the Newton Theater name. In 2007, Newton Theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its significance rests on the combination of architectural design, neighborhood entertainment history, adaptive reuse, and association with Washington's music culture. Although the theater no longer operates as a cinema or concert hall, the surviving building and exterior details continue to represent the history of Brookland's former movie theaters and the changing uses of urban cultural landmarks.
- 2007
Historic-register listing
[1]Newton Theater is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1990
Conversion to retail use
[1]The building is converted into a Peoples Drug store and later becomes a CVS/pharmacy location after CVS acquires the chain.
- 1984
Punk concert period
[1]The former cinema becomes a venue for punk-rock concerts by a number of Washington-area and touring bands.
- 1978
Community film revival
[1]The Brookland Community Corporation restores film screenings during the late 1970s; the effort ends in 1979.
- 1960
Cinema operation ends
[1]The theater closes in the mid-1960s, after which Catholic University of America acquires and uses the building through 1971.
- 1937
Newton Theater opens
[1]The John Jacob Zink-designed Art Deco movie theater opens in Brookland on July 29, showing I Met Him in Paris as its inaugural film.
Products and positioning
A neighborhood cinema and later cultural venue whose identity is closely tied to Brookland's local history, Washington's Art Deco theater architecture, and the city's 1980s punk scene.
Cinema exhibition · 1937
Movie screenings
The theater's original and principal offering was public film exhibition. It opened with the 1937 feature I Met Him in Paris and operated as a neighborhood cinema until its closure in the mid-1960s. A later community-led attempt brought screenings back in the late 1970s, but that phase ended in 1979.
Live entertainment · 1984
Live punk concerts
In 1984, the former movie theater served as a concert venue for punk and hardcore performances. The program included Hüsker Dü, Government Issue, Negative Approach, Void, Iron Cross, 9353, Honor Role, and Malefice, linking the building to Washington's underground music scene.
Brand decisions
1990
Adaptive reuse as a pharmacyStrategyBackground
After the theater's entertainment operations ended, the historic building was adapted for commercial retail use during the 1990s.
Action taken
The property was converted into a Peoples Drug store and later operated under CVS/pharmacy branding after CVS acquired Peoples Drug.
Aftermath
The building ceased functioning as a cinema or concert venue, while significant Art Deco exterior elements were retained.
Recent events
- 2007
Newton Theater listed on the National Register of Historic Places[1]
Regulation
The building received National Register of Historic Places recognition for its architectural and historical importance.
- 1990
Former theater becomes a Peoples Drug store[1]
Other
The building was converted to a Peoples Drug location during the 1990s, ending its use as a dedicated entertainment venue.
- 1990
CVS retains Art Deco features after rebranding the site[1]
M&A · Other
Following CVS's acquisition of Peoples Drug, the store was rebranded as CVS/pharmacy while retaining notable exterior elements of the former theater.
- 1984
Newton Theater hosts Washington punk concerts[1]
Campaign
The former theater hosted punk-rock concerts featuring acts including Hüsker Dü, Government Issue, Negative Approach, Void, Iron Cross, 9353, Honor Role, and Malefice.
- 1970
Brookland Community Corporation revives film screenings[1]
Other
The venue resumed film screenings in the late 1970s under the Brookland Community Corporation, but the renewed operation ended in 1979.
- 1960
Catholic University of America uses the former theater[1]
Other
After the movie theater closed in the mid-1960s, Catholic University of America acquired the building and used it until 1971.
- 1937
Newton Theater opens in Brookland[1]
Other
The Art Deco theater designed by John Jacob Zink opened on July 29, 1937, with I Met Him in Paris as its first film.
Sources3 sources
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