Beneath the vibrant pulse of Polk Street stands a building. This is no ordinary structure. It is the Alhambra Theatre.
The Alhambra Theatre whispers tales of a bygone era. It opened its doors on November 5, 1926. This Moorish Revival movie palace quickly became a cultural touchstone.
Designed by Miller & Pflueger, the Alhambra Theatre cost $500,000. Timothy L. Pflueger also designed the Castro Theater and the Paramount Theater in Oakland. The Alhambra Theatre boasted 1,625 seats.
Imagine the grand opening. People dressed in their finest attire. The air was filled with anticipation. A Wurlitzer organ, Opus 1364, filled the theater with music. This 2-manual, 6-rank organ was unusually small for a theater of this size.
The Alhambra Theatre screened countless films. It was a place for dreams and shared experiences. The theater had one of the largest curved CinemaScope screens in San Francisco. The screen was complete with curtains.
However, the Alhambra Theatre’s story is not without its twists. In October 1930, a pipe bomb was discovered in its ticket booth. The crisis was averted.
In 1976, the Alhambra Theatre was converted into twin theaters. Some moviegoers were shocked when Blumenfelds put a wall in. It reopened on July 24, 1974. One auditorium showed “The Groove Tube.” The other showed “Jeremiah Johnson.”
In 1988, the Alhambra Theatre returned to its former glory. It was de-twinned into a single-screen theater again. But its cinematic life was nearing its end.
On February 22, 1998, the Alhambra Theatre closed as a movie theater. Since 1980, more than 30 single-screen theaters were lost in San Francisco. The Alhambra Theatre met a more fortunate end.
Today, the Alhambra Theatre lives on as a Crunch Fitness gym. Amazingly, the interior and facade have been preserved. Fresh paint and leafing make it look better than it has in decades.
The balcony now holds treadmills facing the screen. The projection room has been converted into a Yoga Studio. Plans include hosting film exhibitions. These exhibitions will not be with celluloid.
The restored marquee still shines brightly. It serves as a beacon on Polk Street. The Alhambra Theatre was designated San Francisco Landmark #217 on February 21, 1996.
So, as you stand before this building, remember its rich past. The Alhambra Theatre is a testament to San Francisco’s ever-evolving story.