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The [[Rex Theatre]] (often called simply "'''the Rex'''") is a historic building at 18 North [[Palafox Street]] in [[downtown Pensacola]]. ==History==The theater building was opened constructed 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 When the furniture company moved to a new, larger building nearby (now known as the [[Rhodes Building]]), the old building was converted refurbished by the [[Saenger Amusement Company]] to serve as a 650second-seat 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 RexTheatre 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>
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. MacNeil|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.<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 Hogan]], 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.blogspot.com/2006/07/rex-returns_05.html Loaded Gun, July 5, 2006]</ref> However, further renovations are still needed to bring the building up to code, and [[as of 2007]] the Rex has not reopened.
*Retired USN LCDR [[Joseph Hill]] died in the theater on [[March 3]], [[1943]].<ref>http://www.rootsweb.com/~flescamb/F-Psurname_Hh.htm</ref>
==External links& references=={{refbegin}}
*[http://www.edwardpeyton.com/rexb.html Before] and [http://www.edwardpeyton.com/rexa.html after] photos of the MacNeil renovation
*[http://www.agilitynut.com/theatres/fl.html Roadside Architecture]
*[http://www.escpa.org/Detail_a.aspx?s=000S009007004055 Escambia County Property Appraiser parcel detail]
[[Category:Historic theaters]]
[[Category:Defunct theaters]]
[[Category:Palafox Street buildings]]
[[Category:Landmarks]]
