No sign. Or something that fits into this historical neighborhood. I live around the corner and have for 18 years and am a property owner. We deserve something nicer.
This was once a movie theater and that’s exactly what this sign looks like. Walk one block down E. Clay and you will see old buildings with these large signs on them too. It does fit into our historical neighborhood. Perhaps just not the period you were thinking of.
Someone asked if it is a theater or apartment? It was converted to an apartment complex and opened last year with a restaurant going in on the first floor this year. The façade was restored for historical preservation and always in the plan. Josh Bilder is hoping to have an illuminated grand opening of sorts later this year. I am glad it is finally completed and adds character to our neighborhood!
@2 Kay S Glenn-Baine.. Really? Why do you consider it a monstrosity since that is the way it was built in 1938 and in place until around 1970 and possibly 1980 (marquee at least). What would you have said if the old Patrick Henry Theater was also still standing on the same block and also restored with marquee and all? (demolished in 1968)
You may be interested in my CHA Newsletter article about Church Hill theaters published in November 2013:
@5 neighbor, true! I wish the building would also be put back to its original configuration of having glass windows and entrances from both 25th and Marshall (the entrances and windows wrapped around the corner and can be seen how it was bricked in.)… along with decorative onyx tiles removed with the scars left. While we are at it, Billups needs to fix theirs as well but doubt that will happen considering the lack of funerals happening there over the years.
@8 eva tiner – yes it does and will be lighted in its full original 1938 glory soon. I just passed by the building about 30 minutes ago and they are still wiring it up.
People seem to forget that this is the 25th Street Corridor which was a busy business district from the 1910s-1960s, full of glass store fronts, florescent signs, and foot traffic. This is just another step in revitalizing the strip that has been in the plans for years. And the theater renovations were approved by the CAR because as long as you can provide photographs or original sketched of how a building originally looked, you can restore it back to that configuration.
@17 Bridgette… replicates what was on the original sign. Hard to see but can make out the outline on the old sign that was taken down when renovations started.
The original had exposed neon tubes running down the spine of the sign but how long would they last today? The N in END seems to be a bit wide to me or is it the photo angle? First time I have seen it on. Now to get a chaser or flasher on it 🙂
@Eric S. Huffstutler that is just the way I pictured 25th street to have been back in the day. and I love how they renovated the building. But then, this is the reason I moved into this charming old neighborhood. My only regret is that I wish it were STILL a movie theatre. To be able to walk to a movie would only be the icing on this cake called Church Hill. 🙂
I love the way they renovated this building. I only wish it were STILL a movie theatre. To be able to walk to a movie would just be the icing on this cake called Church Hill. 🙂
@7/ Eric – are you sure those were entrances and not places for movie posters? A lot of times those bricked up “doors” are the giveaway that a converted building was a theater. (This is just personal observation/experience, not an educated opinion – I suppose old theaters would have needed more doors since they often didn’t have as much interior/lobby space?). love to see an old photo of the place
Let me know if I’m way off. Would love to see a photo or two of how it used to look.
@25 @26 Marguerite Manning, part of the answers are in my article linked above. The building over the last years of its life before being abandoned, was vandalized, set on fire, and was structurally in poor shape. Years later another owner did a study to see if restoring the building back as a theater was feasible but was not due to lack of interest as well as parking. They then decided to repurposed the building only to completely gut it to bare walls and no roof, completely open to the elements, then lost interest. At that point it was being considered for demolition. Josh Bilder came in and purchased the building and it is what we have today. (condensed history).
Almost 6 years to the day when I bought the building, the lights of the East End are shining brilliant once again. Church Hill I appreciate your support. I’m looking forward to 2016 and my next development- Patrick Henry Square. Sincerely, Joshua Bilder
@36 Lee, sorry… there was some cross talk on this thread when someone mentioned restoring the Church Hill Animal Hospital sign. The bricked in windows and entrance I was talking about is on that building.
Josh, I drove by at 10:00 this morning and all of the lights were still on. Are they on for purpose or need a timer? I am sure it will be an issue having to replace light bulbs when they burn out if they burn 24-7.
It looks great. They did a great job on the building. I lived at 600 North 28th street. I use to walk to the theater on Saturday mornings. Somtime my parents would take me to the Patrick Henry theater.
139 comments
M Aaron Campbell liked this on Facebook.
Jessie Cheyenne Barford liked this on Facebook.
Roy S Drake Jr liked this on Facebook.
Deanna Lewis liked this on Facebook.
Glenn Anderson liked this on Facebook.
Erin Kristen Doolin liked this on Facebook.
Scott Tilghman liked this on Facebook.
I like it!!
Really? A monstrosity.
What would you prefer?
No sign. Or something that fits into this historical neighborhood. I live around the corner and have for 18 years and am a property owner. We deserve something nicer.
This was once a movie theater and that’s exactly what this sign looks like. Walk one block down E. Clay and you will see old buildings with these large signs on them too. It does fit into our historical neighborhood. Perhaps just not the period you were thinking of.
Kathleen Sanders liked this on Facebook.
Saturday double feature with our homemade popcorn and cupcakes made by our Big Sister! And the mea usher named Lenny!
Someone asked if it is a theater or apartment? It was converted to an apartment complex and opened last year with a restaurant going in on the first floor this year. The façade was restored for historical preservation and always in the plan. Josh Bilder is hoping to have an illuminated grand opening of sorts later this year. I am glad it is finally completed and adds character to our neighborhood!
Jessica Hildebrand liked this on Facebook.
Matt Conrad liked this on Facebook.
Isa Bel liked this on Facebook.
David Conmy liked this on Facebook.
Dan Gibbs liked this on Facebook.
Cher Lewis liked this on Facebook.
Michael Grabow liked this on Facebook.
Dashawna Wright liked this on Facebook.
Terry Peters liked this on Facebook.
Nadiya Nacorda liked this on Facebook.
Christine Greenberg liked this on Facebook.
Nice. Now we need to get a new sign at the Animal Hospital.
jesus pants. does it light up?
Maybe we can get an upgrade for the post office next door? :/
Shannon Rae Carlson liked this on Facebook.
Allison Titus liked this on Facebook.
Emily Klinedinst liked this on Facebook.
Molly Payne liked this on Facebook.
David Seibert liked this on Facebook.
Melanie Barron Ficke liked this on Facebook.
Kevin Wheatley liked this on Facebook.
Darrell Coffey liked this on Facebook.
HILL YEAH, it lights up!!! ? #EastEndInLights #Literally
@2 Kay S Glenn-Baine.. Really? Why do you consider it a monstrosity since that is the way it was built in 1938 and in place until around 1970 and possibly 1980 (marquee at least). What would you have said if the old Patrick Henry Theater was also still standing on the same block and also restored with marquee and all? (demolished in 1968)
You may be interested in my CHA Newsletter article about Church Hill theaters published in November 2013:
http://www.churchhill.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2013NOVDEC_Web.pdf
I love the restoration of the building back to its original façade.
@5 neighbor, true! I wish the building would also be put back to its original configuration of having glass windows and entrances from both 25th and Marshall (the entrances and windows wrapped around the corner and can be seen how it was bricked in.)… along with decorative onyx tiles removed with the scars left. While we are at it, Billups needs to fix theirs as well but doubt that will happen considering the lack of funerals happening there over the years.
@8 eva tiner – yes it does and will be lighted in its full original 1938 glory soon. I just passed by the building about 30 minutes ago and they are still wiring it up.
Lora Toothman liked this on Facebook.
We will get used to it eventually. The building had been run down for so many years. I used to go to that theater in the 60’s…35 cents per person.
People seem to forget that this is the 25th Street Corridor which was a busy business district from the 1910s-1960s, full of glass store fronts, florescent signs, and foot traffic. This is just another step in revitalizing the strip that has been in the plans for years. And the theater renovations were approved by the CAR because as long as you can provide photographs or original sketched of how a building originally looked, you can restore it back to that configuration.
Keith West liked this on Facebook.
Darcey Pearce liked this on Facebook.
Mark Kronenthal liked this on Facebook.
Janae Johnson liked this on Facebook.
Chelsea Harnish liked this on Facebook.
Catherine Ayres liked this on Facebook.
Sad font choice. The typography gods weep!
This is so fun! Makes me fall in love with Church Hill all over again. I’m smitten.
Michell Pope liked this on Facebook.
Katy Justice liked this on Facebook.
Chris Branham liked this on Facebook.
Julia Price liked this on Facebook.
Katie Vogelpohl liked this on Facebook.
Joshua Champagne liked this on Facebook.
@17 Bridgette… replicates what was on the original sign. Hard to see but can make out the outline on the old sign that was taken down when renovations started.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3762/11077493943_7974d89541_b.jpg
@18 Lindgren, agree!
@15 rita, wish I knew you when I wrote the theater article to get some first hand perspectives then.
I like it even more now that I know that it lights up!!!
Doug Kipps liked this on Facebook.
Lindsay Yowell liked this on Facebook.
Bitsy K Brown liked this on Facebook.
Harvey Tracey liked this on Facebook.
Katie Fletcher liked this on Facebook.
I think it’s awesome. To me it celebrates the East End and let’s the rest of Richmond know that we are proud of our neighborhood.
The original had exposed neon tubes running down the spine of the sign but how long would they last today? The N in END seems to be a bit wide to me or is it the photo angle? First time I have seen it on. Now to get a chaser or flasher on it 🙂
@chpn Looks even better at night: https://t.co/DcAvB4dTEv
This is cool. I love Church Hill.
Erin Wall liked this on Facebook.
Bob James liked this on Facebook.
Nancy Doty liked this on Facebook.
JP Matthews liked this on Facebook.
James S Spain liked this on Facebook.
@Eric S. Huffstutler that is just the way I pictured 25th street to have been back in the day. and I love how they renovated the building. But then, this is the reason I moved into this charming old neighborhood. My only regret is that I wish it were STILL a movie theatre. To be able to walk to a movie would only be the icing on this cake called Church Hill. 🙂
Marguerite Manning liked this on Facebook.
I love the way they renovated this building. I only wish it were STILL a movie theatre. To be able to walk to a movie would just be the icing on this cake called Church Hill. 🙂
Wow. That’s quite a sign. I wonder who made that
Lights, yes! Font fail. ?
A nice idea poorly executed. However, the whole development improves enormously on what (for YEARS) previously existed.
I wish I still lived in RVA – what a spectacular improvement to the block!!!
Mark Olinger liked this on Facebook.
Amy Nichols-Belo liked this on Facebook.
Joy Monopoli liked this on Facebook.
Nathan Hughes liked this on Facebook.
Steven Sehika liked this on Facebook.
Katherine Jester liked this on Facebook.
Kyle Bowles liked this on Facebook.
Diane Carwile P’Pool liked this on Facebook.
Alexander Merrick-Tagore liked this on Facebook.
I love everything about this! Good job Josh Bilder
Great job Josh Bilder! It’s a very nice addition to the neighborhood.
I love this!
Just to be clear (29) refers to the sign.
I Love It!
@7/ Eric – are you sure those were entrances and not places for movie posters? A lot of times those bricked up “doors” are the giveaway that a converted building was a theater. (This is just personal observation/experience, not an educated opinion – I suppose old theaters would have needed more doors since they often didn’t have as much interior/lobby space?).
love to see an old photo of the place
Let me know if I’m way off. Would love to see a photo or two of how it used to look.
I think the new sign is great.
Looks great!
Kendal LaRae LeMire liked this on Facebook.
Daniel Meehan liked this on Facebook.
Daniel Murrow liked this on Facebook.
Teresa Nieding Carrel liked this on Facebook.
Stuart Ruiz liked this on Facebook.
Vanessa Reyes liked this on Facebook.
Lindsey Bates liked this on Facebook.
T.J. Brennan liked this on Facebook.
@25 @26 Marguerite Manning, part of the answers are in my article linked above. The building over the last years of its life before being abandoned, was vandalized, set on fire, and was structurally in poor shape. Years later another owner did a study to see if restoring the building back as a theater was feasible but was not due to lack of interest as well as parking. They then decided to repurposed the building only to completely gut it to bare walls and no roof, completely open to the elements, then lost interest. At that point it was being considered for demolition. Josh Bilder came in and purchased the building and it is what we have today. (condensed history).
@34 David, the sign is historically accurate to what was originally on the building (minus additional neon lights). Why is it poorly executed?
Almost 6 years to the day when I bought the building, the lights of the East End are shining brilliant once again. Church Hill I appreciate your support. I’m looking forward to 2016 and my next development- Patrick Henry Square. Sincerely, Joshua Bilder
Looks awesome!
J Cortney Bradford liked this on Facebook.
Jay Derpin liked this on Facebook.
Amy George liked this on Facebook.
What location is this?
Daniil Kleyman liked this on Facebook.
Robert – that’s the East End Theater at 418 North 25th Street. Had been vacant since the 1970s until very recently.
Thanks, seen many movies there, I remember for a Quarter (25 cent) get in and a bag of popcorn.
Martha McConnell Looney liked this on Facebook.
Joshua Bilder — You’re my hero!
Thanks for investing in our community!!!
@36 Lee, sorry… there was some cross talk on this thread when someone mentioned restoring the Church Hill Animal Hospital sign. The bricked in windows and entrance I was talking about is on that building.
Josh, I drove by at 10:00 this morning and all of the lights were still on. Are they on for purpose or need a timer? I am sure it will be an issue having to replace light bulbs when they burn out if they burn 24-7.
We love it!! So looking forward to having fun new neighbors!
Very subtle.
Karen Cooper liked this on Facebook.
Mackenzie Murphey liked this on Facebook.
Leslie Basinger liked this on Facebook.
Katelyn Bliss liked this on Facebook.
Kacey Pierce liked this on Facebook.
Patricia Beninato liked this on Facebook.
Jeremy Myers liked this on Facebook.
Teréz Demersal liked this on Facebook.
Stephen Weir liked this on Facebook.
Elaine Odell liked this on Facebook.
I think it’s great. Adds a little something to that corridor.
Traffic calming. Before you need a rosemary and sea salt flat bread in one direction or a pet castration in the other.
Paul Sieczkowski liked this on Facebook.
Chris Bates liked this on Facebook.
Maritza Mercado Pechin liked this on Facebook.
@Eric S. Huffstutler
I’m leaving the lights of the East End on for now…Bern baby Bern.
It looks great. They did a great job on the building.
I lived at 600 North 28th street. I use to walk to the theater on Saturday mornings.
Somtime my parents would take me to the Patrick Henry theater.