The exterior for the historic Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, received its first refreshening in many years.
The Friends of the Rialto group on Facebook posted these photos last week as the painting crews were taking down their scaffolding:
Friends of the Rialto also wrote on this Facebook post last month about the repainting job:
After a detailed microscopic color analysis of the building was performed by KC Restoration, we presented the findings to the owners and then to the city. Based on the findings we determined the original colors for the stucco, trim, and the 2 original colors for the blade sign. These were approved by the city and work commenced. We then brought KC Restoration back to take samples from the lower marquee, which was installed about 15 years after the Rialto opened. By this time the building and blade sign had been repainted multiple times so we were not sure whether the lower marquee colors would work. According to the microscopic color analysis the lower marquee has also been repainted at least 10 times! We recommended that the first 2 colors be used on the lower marquee, a decision supported by the oldest photo we have of the lower marquee when it was pretty new. It shows 2 different shades, with the vertical bands being a lighter shade.
We are very excited to see the exterior getting the attention it deserves after decades of neglect. Thanks to the owners for doing this work, and collaborating with Friends of the Rialto to make sure the colors are historically accurate!
The South Pasadenan website also posted photos of the project during the early going.
Here’s what the theater looked like in 2011:
Friends of the Rialto also recently reported the theater’s Wurlitzer organ is being restored.
The theater’s owner, Shomof Group, announced late last year it would perform restoration work on its interior. The tenant, the Mosaic church group, committed itself to interior renovations.
The Rialto Theatre, at 1023 Fair Oaks Ave., remains part of the original 1926 alignment of Route 66 in South Pasadena.
Built in 1925, the theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Closed in 2011, the theater deteriorated enough that part of its marquee nearly fell off, endangering motorists and pedestrians.
(Image of the Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, in 2011 by Scott Lowe via Flickr)
Sweet. I wonder if LA has a theater organ enthusiasts group. Chicago has CATOE. My dad used to drag me around to their events. Now, I’m glad he did.
They need to have an old-fashioned sign along when they reopen – with lyrics on slides and the whole nine yards. Those were fun.