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

==History==The building was constructed in [[Rex Theatre1922]] (often called simply <ref name="historicface">"Renovated Rex keeps historic face."'''the Rex'Pensacola News Journal''") was opened in [[1930]]{{date uncertain}} , September 10, 1998.</ref> 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}}When the furniture company moved to a new, larger building nearby (now known as the [[Rhodes Building]]), the old building was nearly demolished. It was sold to refurbished by the [[City of PensacolaSaenger Amusement Company]] in 1984 for $95to serve as a second-run movie theater,000. Architects complementing the company's nearby [[J.P. MacNeilIsis Theatre|J.P.Isis]] and [[Michelle MacNeilSaenger Theatre]] bought s. The estimated cost of the theater in 1997 for renovation was $2530,000, renovated it, and converted part of it to a the Rex Theatre opened on [[November 1,920 sq.ft. apartment.<ref>[http://www.escpa.org/details.asp?qAcctNum=130853000&qSection=&qTownship=&qRange=&qSubdivision=&qBlock=&qLot= Escambia County Property Appraiser record]</ref> It was sold again in 2004 for $425],000 to [[Tim Hogan1937]], the current owner, who has stated an intention to reopen the Rex as a "high-tech, retro-themed" venue for movies and concerts.<ref>[http://inewsloadedgun"Saenger Building Pensacola House.blogspot.com/2006/07/rex-returns_05.html Loaded Gun" ''Boxoffice'', July 5September 18, 2006]1937.</ref> 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 StudioWarren 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]] (formerly called MAD Architects) claimed .<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 ParkBounds 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}}