New Granada Theater
- Style
- Art Deco
- City
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Collection
- modern pittsburgh
The New Granada Theater began life as the Pythian Temple, built in 1927-1928 at 2007 Centre Avenue in the Hill District as a meeting hall for the Knights of Pythias, a Black fraternal order. It was designed by Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger, one of the only Black architects practicing in the United States at the time and his most notable surviving building. In the 1930s the building was bought by Harry Hendel, who relocated his Granada Theater business here and reopened it as the New Granada, remodeled in 1937 and 1938 by Alfred M. Marks.
the building
A building of many uses. The original Pythian Temple packed commercial space, a kitchen, and a hall for banquets and the Pythians' military-style drill exercises onto the first floor, offices and a 1,500-seat auditorium on the second, and the Pythian lodge rooms with more offices on the third.
From lodge to movie house. After Harry Hendel bought the building in the 1930s and moved his old Granada Theater operation two blocks over, architect Alfred M. Marks remodeled it in 1937 and 1938 to convert it into the New Granada movie theater.
the style
The building's Tudor Revival and Art Deco styling spans its two building campaigns -- original construction in 1927-1928 as the Pythian Temple, and the 1937-1938 remodel that converted it into the New Granada movie theater.
More on Art Decothe architect
Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger designed the Pythian Temple as one of only a few Black architects practicing in the United States at the time; it stands as his most notable surviving work.
significance
The New Granada Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
nearby
- Washington Plaza
- St. Stanislaus Kostka Church
- Byrnes & Kiefer Building
- Chatham Center
- Joseph F. Weis, Jr. United States Courthouse
- Armstrong Cork Company building