Benedum Center
- Architect
- Hoffman-Henon
- Year
- 1927
- City
- Pittsburgh, PA
The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts opened February 27, 1928, as the Stanley Theatre, a $3 million movie palace in Pittsburgh's Cultural District designed by the Philadelphia firm Hoffman-Henon. Built for the Stanley Corporation of America and seating 3,800, it was the largest movie theater in Western Pennsylvania and became Pittsburgh's main first-run house for Warner Bros. releases after Warner Bros. bought its parent company later in 1928. Renovated and renamed in 1987, it now seats 2,885.
the building
The Stanley years. As a first-run Warner Bros. movie palace, the Stanley hosted live performers alongside films — Frank Sinatra played here on December 10, 1943, during its run as one of downtown Pittsburgh's grandest theaters.
the architect
Hoffman-Henon was a Philadelphia architectural firm best known for designing 35 theaters across the Philadelphia area; the Stanley Theatre was one of their major commissions built at the height of the American movie palace era.
significance
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Converted from a movie palace into a performing arts center after a 1987 renovation, it remains one of downtown Pittsburgh's largest historic theaters.