Stanley Theater and Clark Building
About this property
The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Stanley Theatre) is a theater and concert hall located at 237 7th Street in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Designed by the Philadelphia architectural firm Hoffman-Henon, it was built in 1928 as the Stanley Theatre. The former movie palace was renovated and reopened as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in 1987. The Stanley Theatre, built at a cost of $3 million, opened as a deluxe movie palace February 27, 1928, with seating for 3,800 people (it now seats 2,885). It was designed by the architectural firm Hoffman−Henon who were best known for their design of 35 theaters in the Philadelphia area. The Stanley Theatre was the largest movie theater in Western Pennsylvania. Initially operated by the Stanley Corporation of America (SCA) it became part of the newly founded Warner Bros. Theatres after the SCA was bought by Warner Bros. Pictures later in 1928. It was Pittsburgh's main first run house for all Warner Bros. film releases. Frank Sinatra played here December 10, 1943. Following an antitrust lawsuit against Warner Bros., the theatre was sold to the newly formed Stanley Warner Corporation in 1953 when Warner was forced to sell all of its theaters. In 1974 War and King Crimson played at the Stanley. On April 29, 1974, the King Biscuit Flower Hour recorded a show at the Stanley by Robin Trower for a later broadcast. In 1976, the Stanley was purchased and renovated by the Cinemette Corporation to be operated as a movie theater. In 1977, DiCesare Engler Productions bought the theater. September 23, 1978, Frank Zappa played two sets at the Stanley Theatre. Live rock and roll concerts presented through 1984. The Grateful Dead performed five nights at the venue February 7, 1969 (two shows), November 30 & December 1, 1979, and March 5 & 6, 1981; the Jerry Garcia Band played there on March 19, 1978. Reggae musician Bob Marley performed his last live concert there in 1980, before his death in 1981. The only known photographs from the show were featured in Kevin Macdonald's documentary film Marley. Prince kicked off his Controversy Tour in 1981 at the Stanley. The rock band Kansas chose the Benedum Center to host its 40th Anniversary Fan Appreciation Concert on August 17, 2013, which all the original members were to attend. The Stanley Theater was named "Number One Auditorium in the U.S." by Billboard several times during the DiCesare-Engler years. On September 25, 1987, after a $43 million restoration was completed, the Stanley reopened as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. In converting the former movie palace into a full performing arts center, a new building including an extension to the stage and support facilities was built at the rear of the theater. The interior was largely preserved and restored to its original design, with the addition of a new acoustical baffle covering the original proscenium.
Location
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Everything a full report reveals about Stanley Theater and Clark Building
This page lists Stanley Theater and Clark Building. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Nearby Battles
Questions about this property
When was Stanley Theater and Clark Building listed on the National Register?
Stanley Theater and Clark Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 27, 1986.
What type of historic resource is Stanley Theater and Clark Building?
Stanley Theater and Clark Building is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Stanley Theater and Clark Building?
The period of significance for Stanley Theater and Clark Building is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Stanley Theater and Clark Building?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Stanley Theater and Clark Building will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
More in Allegheny County
Historic places, battles, and census history across Allegheny County.
Explore AlleghenyCounty ›More historic places in Pennsylvania
Browse all historic places in Pennsylvania.
View Pennsylvaniahistoric sites ›Pennsylvania history
Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.
Pennsylvaniahistory ›Research the history near this site
An Aubrey US report for an address near Stanley Theater and Clark Building will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.