 Interactive map of Tivoli Theatre | |
| Address | 4217-4219 (renumbered to 4317 in 1939) S.Central Avenue Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°00′28″N118°15′23″W / 34.0077°N 118.2565°W /34.0077; -118.2565 |
| Type | Stage andmovie theater |
| Capacity | 450 (1926) 873 (1931) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1921 |
| Renovated | 1931 |
| Demolished | 1971 |
| Architect | Lewis Arthur Smith |
Tivoli Theatre, also known asBill Robinson Theatre,[1] was astage andmovie theater located at 42nd Street andCentral Avenue inLos Angeles,California.
Tivoli Theatre was designed byLewis Arthur Smith, an architect known for many theaters insouthern California, most notably theVista,El Portal,Highland,Rialto, andVentura.[2] This theater was built in 1921 at a cost of $65,000 ($1.15 million in2024).[3][4] Its original address was 4217 SouthCentral Avenue, although thestreet number was changed to 4219 in 1929.[4] The theater was listed as having a capacity of 450 in 1926.[1]
The theater was broken into in early October 1923; a safe with $1,200 ($22,146 in2024) was taken.[5]
By 1931, the theater's staff was entirelyAfrican American and its patrons mostly the same.[6] The capacity was raised to 873,[1] with the most expensive seats for live shows going for as much as $60 ($1,383 in2024).[7] In 1937, the theater was renamed Bill Robinson Theatre[1] and in 1939, the theater's street number was changed a second time, to 4317.[4]
The building was damaged during the 1971Sylmar Earthquake and was demolished later that year.[1]
Tivoli Theatre was made of pressedbrick with acast stonefacing and featuredplate glass windows,reinforced concretelintels,skylights,marble, andtile.[4]