 The structure in 2008 | |
 Interactive map of La Reina Theater | |
| Address | 14626Ventura Boulevard,Sherman Oaks |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°09′05″N118°27′09″W / 34.1515°N 118.4526°W /34.1515; -118.4526 |
| Type | Movie theater |
| Capacity | 875 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1937-38 |
| Closed | April 4, 1986 |
| Architect | S. Charles Lee |
| Designated | February 15, 1985 |
| Reference no. | 290 |
La Reina Theatre was a historicmovie theater located at 14626Ventura Boulevard inSherman Oaks, California.
La Reina Theatre was designed forFox West Coast Theaters byS. Charles Lee,[1] an architect known for numerous theaters throughoutsouthern California. Built in 1937–38,[2] the theater sat 875[3] and the cost of construction was $60,000 ($1.34 million in2024).[4]
The theater was designatedLos Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #290 on February 15, 1985.[5] In doing so, the city blocked a developer's plan to raze the building and replace it with a shopping center.[6]
The theater closed on April 4, 1986. Its final operator wasMann Theatres and its final screening was a private double feature ofThe Robe andThere's No Business Like Show Business, attended by 300 visitors. The theater's last public screening wasPolice Academy 3 the day prior.[7]
The theater's tower and vertical sign were removed due to damage from the1994 Northridge earthquake. Thefacade,marquee, entrance,terrazzo andbox office remain, while the auditorium was demolished and a retail building built in its place.[1]
La Reina Theater featured astreamline moderne design withterrazo decorations and aneon exterior. It was considered "amini-movie palace" and "one of the most beautiful theaters in theSan Fernando Valley."[8]
The theater's auditorium was simplified compared to other theaters of the time; it featured pared down artwork instead of ornate embellishments.[9]