Williams Center

The Williams Center is an arts, entertainment, and community venue in downtown Rutherford, New Jersey. Its identity combines a historic theater building, live performance facilities, cinemas, and spaces for cultural and civic activity. The venue takes its name from William Carlos Williams, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and physician who was born and raised in Rutherford. The building originated as the Rivoli Theater, which opened in April 1922 with seating for approximately 2,200 people. Designed by architect Abram Preiskel and developed by Harry Hecht, the Rivoli was built above the former Glen Waters pond and was distinguished by an ornate interior, a marble exterior, a decorative proscenium, and a chandelier containing thousands of Czechoslovak crystals. It became a prominent stop on the vaudeville circuit and later presented silent films and sound pictures. Performers associated with the venue's early history included Abbott and Costello and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, while its film program included silent-era stars such as Buster Keaton and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The Rivoli's long period of operation was interrupted by a major fire in January 1977 that destroyed approximately one-third of the building. A group of philanthropists subsequently formed the Williams Center Project to preserve and revive the property. The project was associated with Fairleigh Dickinson, Peter and Sally Sammartino, Oscar Schwidetsky, Barry Dancy, and Herb Cutter. Following restoration, the renamed William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts reopened to the public in 1982. In 1987, ownership of the building was transferred to Bergen County, while the nonprofit operating group continued to run the center under a lease arrangement. Over subsequent decades, the facility remained a community venue for theater, music, movies, art exhibitions, and local events. Its main stage also served civic functions, including Rutherford High School graduation ceremonies. The venue's cinema operations were modernized in the 2010s. After fundraising to replace 35mm projection equipment with digital systems, the three cinemas and the lower level reopened for first-run films on July 29, 2016. The work also included refurbished concession areas and lobby spaces; a former party room was later converted into an arcade. The center has continued to host recurring art and music programming while undergoing broader renovation. In 2021, the Town of Rutherford acquired the property from Bergen County and subsequently sold it to local real-estate developer Native Development. The transactions, together with strong local opposition to further redevelopment, were reported as helping preserve the building as a cultural and entertainment destination. The Williams Center therefore represents both a functioning venue brand and a preservation project centered on a significant early twentieth-century theater.

The Williams Center occupies a historic theater building in downtown Rutherford, New Jersey. The structure began life as the Rivoli Theater, which opened in April 1922 with capacity for about 2,200 spectators. Architect Abram Preiskel designed the building for developer Harry Hecht. Constructed above the Glen Waters pond, the Rivoli featured a marble facade, an elaborate proscenium, and a large chandelier decorated with approximately 62,000 Czechoslovak crystals. During its early decades, the Rivoli operated as both a vaudeville house and a movie theater. It hosted touring performers including Abbott and Costello and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and screened silent films before moving into the sound-film era. The venue became an important local gathering place and remained in operation, apart from brief interruptions, until a major fire in January 1977 damaged nearly one-third of the building. The fire placed the theater's future in doubt. A coalition of philanthropists responded by forming the Williams Center Project, a nonprofit preservation and redevelopment effort. The group included Fairleigh Dickinson, Peter and Sally Sammartino, Oscar Schwidetsky, Barry Dancy, and Herb Cutter. The restored facility was renamed the William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts in honor of the Rutherford-born poet and physician William Carlos Williams. It reopened in 1982 and resumed its role as a venue for performances, films, exhibitions, and public events. In 1987, the building was deeded to Bergen County. The nonprofit group retained an operating role through a lease arrangement, allowing the center to continue as a community-focused cultural facility. Over the years, its programming included live theater, music performances, movies, and art shows. The main stage was also used for local civic occasions, including graduation ceremonies for Rutherford High School. A significant modernization occurred in the 2010s. Fundraising enabled the center to replace its 35mm film projectors with digital projection technology. On July 29, 2016, the three cinemas and the downstairs floor reopened for first-run movie screenings. Associated improvements included refurbished concession stands, refreshed lobby areas, and changes to the party room, which became an arcade. The center has continued operating while a larger renovation program proceeds. It has hosted weekly art and music events and maintains an open-air meeting gallery in addition to two live theaters and three cinemas. In 2021, Rutherford purchased the property from Bergen County and later sold it to Native Development, a local real-estate developer. The ownership changes occurred amid community concern that the historic property might be redeveloped. Local opposition and the public attention surrounding the transactions were described as contributing to the building's preservation as an arts and entertainment venue.

• 2021

  Ownership changes hands

  [1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  Rutherford acquires the property from Bergen County and later sells it to Native Development amid local preservation concerns.

• 2016

  Digital cinema reopening

  [1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  Three cinemas and the lower level reopen for first-run films following fundraising and conversion from 35mm to digital projection.

• 1987

  Property is deeded to Bergen County

  [1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  Bergen County receives the building, while the nonprofit operating group continues managing the center under a lease.

• 1982

  Restored center reopens under the Williams name

  [1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  The renovated venue reopens as the William Carlos Williams Center for the Performing Arts.

• 1978

  Williams Center Project is formed

  [1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  Local philanthropists establish the Williams Center Project to save and restore the damaged theater.

• 1977

  Major fire damages the Rivoli

  [1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  A fire destroys nearly one-third of the theater building and places its future in doubt.

• 1922

  Rivoli Theater opens

  [1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  The Rivoli Theater opens in Rutherford with seating for approximately 2,200 people, presenting vaudeville and motion pictures.

A locally rooted cultural and entertainment center that combines historic-theater preservation with live performance, cinema, arts programming, and community use.

• Performing arts venue · 1982

  Live theaters

  The Williams Center includes two live-theater spaces used for theatrical performances, music programming, community events, and other stage presentations. The facilities continue the building's historic role as a performance venue while supporting a broader contemporary arts program.

• Cinema · 1922

  Cinema complex

  The center operates three cinema screens. Following a 2016 reopening, the screens were equipped for digital projection and used to present first-run movies. Cinema operations form one part of the venue's hybrid model alongside live theater and community programming.

• Cultural and event space · 1982

  Arts and community spaces

  An open-air meeting gallery and other interior areas support art exhibitions, music events, meetings, parties, and civic activities. The building has also been used for local school ceremonies and functions as a gathering place for Rutherford and the surrounding area.

• 2016Digital projection fundraising campaign

  Rutherford, New Jersey

  Fundraising supported the replacement of the cinema complex's 35mm projection equipment with digital systems and contributed to improvements in public-facing areas.

  Outcome. The three cinemas and downstairs floor reopened for first-run movies on July 29, 2016.

  Source
• 1978Williams Center Project preservation campaign

  Rutherford, New Jersey

  A group of philanthropists created the Williams Center Project to restore the fire-damaged Rivoli Theater and protect it as a performing-arts and community venue.

  Outcome. The restored theater reopened in 1982 under the Williams Center name.

  Source

• 2021

  Property transferred from Bergen County to Rutherford and Native DevelopmentM&A

  Background

  The historic center faced uncertainty over its future use and possible redevelopment.

  Action taken

  The Town of Rutherford bought the property from Bergen County and subsequently sold it to local developer Native Development.

  Aftermath

  Local preservation concerns accompanied the transactions, which were described as helping keep the property from further redevelopment.

  Source

• 2016

  Conversion from 35mm to digital cinema projectionGeneration change

  Background

  The center's cinemas required updated projection technology to continue showing contemporary first-run films.

  Action taken

  Following fundraising, the center replaced 35mm projectors with digital equipment and refurbished related visitor areas.

  Aftermath

  The three cinemas and lower level reopened for first-run movie screenings on July 29, 2016.

  Source

• 2021

  Rutherford acquires and later sells Williams Center property amid preservation concerns[1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  The Town of Rutherford bought the center from Bergen County and later sold it to local developer Native Development. Local residents expressed concern about possible redevelopment, and the transactions were described as helping preserve the property as a cultural venue.

• 2016

  Williams Center cinemas and lower level reopen after digital projection fundraising[1]The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org

  Product generation · Other

  The center reopened its three cinemas and downstairs floor for first-run movies after fundraising supported the replacement of 35mm projection equipment with digital systems. The reopening also included improvements to concessions, lobby areas, and visitor amenities.

1. 1The Williams Center (theater)en.wikipedia.org