New Granada Theater
New Granada Theater | |
 New Granada Theater in 2025 | |
    | |
| Location | 2007 Centre Avenue (Hill District), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°26′38.36″N 79°58′48.39″W / 40.4439889°N 79.9801083°W |
| Built | 1927 and 1928 |
| Architect | Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 10001071[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 2010 |
| Designated CPHS | October 8, 2004[2] |
| Designated PHLF | 2007[3] |
The New Granada Theater, originally known as the Pythian Temple, is a historic building located at 2007 Centre Avenue in the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was built between 1927 and 1928.
History and architectural features
[edit]The Pythian Temple was built as a meeting place for the Knights of Pythias of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, a primarily Black fraternal order modeled after the white-only Knights of Pythias. The building was designed by Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger, who was one of only a few Black architects working in the United States at the time, and is his most notable surviving work.[4] The first floor of the building housed commercial space, a kitchen, and a large hall for banquets and the Pythians' military-style drill exercises, while offices and a 1,500-seat auditorium were on the second floor. The third floor housed the Pythian lodge rooms and more office space.[5]
During the 1930s, the building was sold to Harry Hendel, who moved two blocks from his old Granada Theater to this New Granada Theater. The building was remodeled in 1937 and 1938 by Alfred M. Marks, and it then became a movie theater, as well as a place for live entertainment, music and dancing. Jazz legends Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Cab Calloway performed here.[6]
It was added to the List of City of Pittsburgh historic designations on October 8, 2004,[2] the List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks in 2007,[3] and the National Register of Historic Places on December 27, 2010.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "National Register of Historic Places Listings" (PDF). Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
- ^ a b "Local Historic Designations". Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ^ a b Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 (PDF). Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ Tannler, Albert M. (2010). "Louis Bellinger and the New Granada Theater". Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "K. of P.'s to Erect $300,000 Temple". Pittsburgh Courier. March 12, 1927.. Clippings of first and second pages via Newspapers.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ Fuoco, Michael (April 12, 1999). "'New Granada' isn't so new anymore, but plans will help restore luster". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
External links
[edit]- Pittsburgh Music History -Profile of the Pythian Temple /New Granada Theater Archived 2013-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-6728, "Pythian Temple, 2007-2013 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA", 2 photos, 3 data pages, 1 photo caption page
- African-American history in Pittsburgh
- Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
- Theatres in Pittsburgh
- Art Deco architecture in Pennsylvania
- Art Deco cinemas and movie theaters
- Theatres completed in 1928
- City of Pittsburgh historic designations
- Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks
- Historic American Buildings Survey in Pennsylvania
- 1928 establishments in Pennsylvania
- National Register of Historic Places in Pittsburgh
- Cinemas and movie theaters in Pennsylvania
- Former cinemas in the United States