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Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina)

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Coordinates: 35°29′54″N 80°37′29″W / 35.49833°N 80.62472°W / 35.49833; -80.62472
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Gem Theater
Vertical blue drawing of the building marquee to the left with "Gem Theater Kannapolis" written to the right
Tan building with a large blue marquee
The restored theatre in 2022
Map
Address111 West First Street
Kannapolis, North Carolina 89043
OwnerCity of Kannapolis
TypeMovie theater
Capacity708
Construction
Opened1936
Renovated2024
Website
gem-theatre.com
Gem Theatre
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina) is located in North Carolina
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina)
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina) is located in the United States
Gem Theatre (Kannapolis, North Carolina)
Coordinates35°29′54″N 80°37′29″W / 35.49833°N 80.62472°W / 35.49833; -80.62472 35°29′54″N 80°37′29″W
Built1936
Architectural styleArt Deco
NRHP reference No.100004322[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 26, 2019

The Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, North Carolina is a theater first opened December 31, 1936, built by Cannon Mills for its workers. The Gem is one of the oldest movie theaters with one screen in the United States.

History

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After a 1942 fire, only the façade, offices, projection booth and part of the lobby remained. The theater was rebuilt and reopened in 1948 with 916 seats and a new balcony to replace the old one. Steve Morris bought a share of the theater in 1995 and became general manager and later the owner. With competition from newer theaters, the Gem showed movies that had already been shown elsewhere. First-run movies returned in 2000.[2]

The city of Kannapolis bought the theater in 2015 as part of a downtown revitalization project. Renovations done in 2021 include the exterior, roof, and HVAC. The theater reopened May 16, 2024 after five months of interior renovations costing $1.2 million.[3][4]

Architecture

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A postcard of a theater with a large sign that says “Gem” written vertically in large neon red lettering.
Postcard showing The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936) on the marquee

The theater building uses Art Deco designs including the prominent blue marquee, which includes about 50 neon lights. [5] In the interior, the trough lighting was restored along the ceiling. In the theater itself, the screen is flanked by two original metalwork panels with stylized birds-of-paradise.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ Miller, Christopher (December 26, 2023). "The iconic Gem Theatre to undergo interior renovations beginning next month". Independent Tribune. Concord, North Carolina: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  3. ^ Scott, James (May 16, 2024). "Iconic Gem Theatre Re-Opens in Kannapolis". WCCB-TV. Charlotte, North Carolina: Bahakel Communications. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  4. ^ Muccigrosso, Catherine (May 17, 2024). "Take a look at new renovations for historic movie theater near Charlotte as it reopens". The Charlotte Observer. Chatham Asset Management. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Historic Gem Theatre Marquee Restoration Is Underway". Independent Tribune. Concord, North Carolina: Lee Enterprises. April 28, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Terry, Marshall (June 3, 2024). "Historic Gem Theatre reopens after renovation project". WFAE-FM. Charlotte, North Carolina: University Radio Foundation. Retrieved December 9, 2024.

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