Changes

|image=RexTheaterRexTheatre2008.jpg

|owner=[[Tim HoganHarvest Outreach INC]]

|completion_date=1930 (?)[[1922]]|renovations=[[1937]], 2001[[1981]], [[1984]], [[1997]],[[2014]]

|size=40'x150'<br/>three stories<br/>650 525 seats

The [[Rex Theatre]] (often called simply "'''the RexTheatre'''") was opened in is a historic building at 18 North [[1930Palafox Street]]{{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 Furnituredowntown Pensacola]]. Around Known for its distinctive Art Deco façade, it was a second-run movie theater from [[1937]],{{date uncertain}} when the furniture company moved to a new, larger building nearby (now known as the [[Rhodes Building1977]]), but has sat largely unused in the old building was converted to a 650-seat movie theater: the Rexsubsequent years, despite several attempts at restoration.

After closing in {{date needed}}, the ==History==The building was nearly demolished. It was sold to the [[City of Pensacola]] constructed in 1984 for $95,000. Architects [[J.P. MacNeil|J.P.]] and [[Michelle MacNeil1922]] bought the theater in 1997 for $25,000, renovated it, and converted part of it to a 1,920 sq.ft. apartment.<ref>[http://www.escpa.org/details.asp?qAcctNumname=130853000&qSection=&qTownship=&qRange=&qSubdivision=&qBlock=&qLot= Escambia County Property Appraiser record]</ref"historicface"> It was sold again in 2004 for $425,000 to [[Tim Hogan]], the current owner, who has stated an intention to reopen the "Renovated Rex as a keeps historic face."high-tech''Pensacola News Journal'', September 10, retro-themed" venue for movies and concerts1998.</ref>[http://inewsloadedgunas the Rhodes Futch Collins Furniture Company.blogspot.com/2006/07/rexThe company later changed its name to Rhodes-returns_05.html Loaded Gun, July 5, 2006]</ref> HoweverCollins, further renovations are which can still needed to bring be seen in faded lettering on the side of the building up to code, and again to simply [[as of 2007Rhodes Furniture]] the Rex has not reopened.

Local firm When the furniture company moved to a new, larger building nearby (now known as the [[Bounds Architecture StudioRhodes Building]] (formerly called MAD Architects) claimed , the old building was refurbished by the [[Saenger Amusement Company]] to serve as a second-run movie theater, complementing the company's nearby [[Isis Theatre|Isis]] and [[Saenger Theatre]]s. The estimated cost of the renovation was $30,000, and the Rex Theatre opened on [[November 1]], [[1937]].<ref>"Saenger Building Pensacola House." ''Boxoffice'', September 18, 1937.</ref> [[Warren McGee]] was manager in 1941.<ref>"Concerning Florida." ''Boxoffice'', March 8, 1941.</ref> Facing competition from newer shopping mall theaters, the Rex closed in [[1977]]. Its owners, the [[ABC Theatre]] chain, donated the building to the [[City of Pensacola]] as a tax write-off. In [[1981]], attorney [[Gerald McGill]] and [[Frank Antonowich]] leased the building and restored it, hiring [[Theophalis May]] to install tiered flooring and make other improvements. It reopened as the '''Rex Cinema 'n Drafthouse''' on [[July 23]], [[1982]], charging a flat $1 admission for second-run movies and offering a deli-style food menu and a selection of beer and wine.<ref>"Second-run theaters offer new concessions." ''Pensacola News-Journal'', July 11, 1982.</ref> The venture was unsuccessful, but McGill bought the building for $95,000 in [[1984]] and, with businessman [[Russ Dixon]], continued renovations with plans to diversify revenue by serving lunch on weekdays and offering a video real estate tour service.<ref>"Pair plans headlines for cinema marquee." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 11, 1985.</ref> The city repossessed the building in [[1987]].<ref>"Makeover planned for Rex." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 10, 1995.</ref> The last event to be renovating held in the theater was the traveling "Dinosaurs Alive!" exhibit in [[1989]]. Architect [[J. P. MacNeil]] bought the Rex theater in their response [[1997]] for only $25,000 — just half the appraised land value — due to the amount of interior work needed. He and his brother, contractor [[Mark MacNeil]], put over $200,000 of work into the building, including the creation an RFQ 1,800-square-foot, contemporary-styled apartment on the second and third floors above the entrance.<ref name="historicface"/> It was sold again in 2004 for $425,000 to [[Tim Hogan]] who had stated an intention to reopen the Rex as a "high-tech, retro-themed" venue for movies and concerts.<ref>[http://inewsloadedgun.blogspot.com/2006/07/rex-returns_05.html Loaded Gun, July 5, 2006]</ref> Local firm [Community Maritime Park[Bounds Architecture Studio]].began new renovation work,<ref>[http://www.ci.pensacola.fl.us/upload/images/CommunityDevelopment/PDFs/MAD.pdf PDF at City of Pensacola website]</ref> In summer 2007, posters for the Bounds firm appeared on the Rex confirming their role in the renovation. and [[Rick Outzen]] has also reported rumors on [[Rick's Blog|his blog]] rumors that the Rex may be reopened might reopen as a live music venue by the end of 2007.<ref>http://ricksblog.biz/?p=1596</ref> This plan never came to fruition, however, and in 2012, Tim Hogan sold the Rex to Harvest Outreach, Inc for $425,000. Harvest Church acquired the Rex in August 2012 and has made plans to restore it to a theater once again. Their website <http://www.rexpensacola.com/rex-story> states that they are going to restore the façade to its 1930’s art-deco design and renovate the interior to include a large main theater, a 2nd floor café, and a rooftop patio-style space for special events. The website says the Rex will be a venue for Harvest Church, for small-scale live theater, and for movies, concerts, and other special events.

==External links& references=={{refbegin}}

*[http://www.escpa.org/Detail_a.aspx?s=000S009007004055 Escambia County Property Appraiser parcel detail]==References=={{refend}}{{reflist|2}}