“Stars, darling, just like stars.” That’s what they said about the Seville Theatre. This wasn’t just any theatre. It was an atmospheric escape right here in Montreal.
Le Seville, now a condo and commercial space, has a layered past. It began as the Seville Theatre. The original Seville Theatre stood on Sainte-Catherine Street West. It sat between Lambert-Closse and Chomedey streets. This area is now known as Shaughnessy Village.
Picture this. It’s 1929. You enter the Seville Theatre. The ceiling is painted like a night sky. Sparkling stars twinkle above. A special mechanism creates moving clouds. The Seville Theatre was designed by Louis-Joseph Cajetan Dufort. Emmanuel Briffa designed the interior. This gave it a unique Spanish theme. Thus came the name Seville.
The Seville was more than movies. The Seville Theatre hosted live acts. Nat King Cole graced its stage. Tony Bennett sang here. Frank Sinatra charmed the crowds. Louis Armstrong played his trumpet. The Seville Theatre was a hub of entertainment.
Around 1950, the Seville’s interior changed. Oscar Glas used pastel colors for a redesign. Some original decorations went to a monastery.
Later, the Seville returned to showing movies. “The Sound of Music” played for two years. In 1978, it became a repertory theatre. The last film, “Stop Making Sense,” screened in 1985.
After 1985, the Seville declined. A film crew damaged its massive screen. This made it unusable for movies. The Seville Theatre was abandoned. Despite being declared a historic site in 1990, it continued to deteriorate. A large chunk of the east wall collapsed in 1994.
In 2010, the Seville Theatre was demolished. Today, Le Seville stands in its place. It is a modern condo and commercial project. The spirit of the Seville Theatre lives on. Le Seville offers premium urban retail space. It is anchored by Marché Adonis. Other tenants include Bank of Montreal and Columbus Café.
So, remember the Seville Theatre as you explore Le Seville. Think of the stars above. Imagine the music and the movies. The past is woven into the present here. Le Seville carries on a legacy of entertainment and community.