Rex Theatre
| Rex Theatre | |
 The Rex Theatre on Palafox | |
| Building Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | 18 N Palafox Street Pensacola, FL 32501 |
| Current Owner | Tim Hogan |
| Completion Date | 1930 (?) |
| Cost | $95,000 (1984) $25,000 (1997) $425,000 (2004) |
| Renovations | 1937, 2001 |
| Style | Art Deco |
| Size | 40'x150' three stories 650 seats |
| <googlemap lat="30.413752" lon="-87.215481" type="map" zoom="17" width="300" height="150">
30.413641, -87.215258, Rex Theatre </googlemap> | |
The Rex Theatre (often called simply "the Rex") was opened in 1930[date uncertain] as the Rhodes Futch Collins Furniture Company. The company later changed its name to Rhodes-Collins, which can still be seen in faded lettering on the side of the building, and again to simply Rhodes Furniture. Around 1937,[date uncertain] when the furniture company moved to a new, larger building nearby (now known as the Rhodes Building), the old building was converted to a 650-seat movie theater: the Rex.
After closing in (date needed), the building was nearly demolished. It was sold to the City of Pensacola in 1984 for $95,000. Architects J.P. and Michelle MacNeil bought the theater in 1997 for $25,000, renovated it, and converted part of it to a 1,920 sq.ft. apartment.[1] It was sold again in 2004 for $425,000 to Tim Hogan, the current owner, who has stated an intention to reopen the Rex as a "high-tech, retro-themed" venue for movies and concerts.[2] However, further renovations are still needed to bring the building up to code, and as of 2007 the Rex has not reopened.
Local firm Bounds Architecture Studio (formerly called MAD Architects) claimed to be renovating the Rex in their response to an RFQ for the Community Maritime Park.[3] In summer 2007, posters for the Bounds firm appeared on the Rex confirming their role in the renovation. Rick Outzen has also reported rumors on his blog that the Rex may be reopened as a live music venue by the end of 2007.[4]
Other images
The Rex building as the Rhodes Futch Collins Furniture Store (lower-right)
Trivia
- Retired USN LCDR Joseph Hill died in the theater on March 3, 1943.[5]
External links
- Before and after photos of the MacNeil renovation
- Roadside Architecture
