Hoffman-Henon
Hoffman-Hennon was a prominent Philadelphia architectural firm known for its theater designs. W. H. Hoffman was the firm's senior partner. He partnered with Paul J. Henon Jr. to form Hoffman-Henon Co. The firm designed more than 100 theaters, 46 of them in Philadelphia. Many are still standing and several remain open.[1]
One of the first movie palaces in Philadelphia was The Stanley Theater (1914) at 1620 Market Street, designed by W.H. Hoffman and later renamed the Stanton. During the silent era it featured a full orchestra. The theater was renamed The Milgram in 1968 and was demolished in 1980.[2]
A second theater named the Stanley was also designed by Hoffman-Henon and opened at the southwest corner of 19th and Market in 1921. It had 2,916 and its own renowned orchestra. Al Capone was arrested at the theater in 1929. It was demolished in 1973 and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange was constructed on the site in 1982.[2]
The Mastbaum Memorial Theatre (1929) was a 4,700 seat theater built at 20th and Market. The opulent theater was demolished 29 years later[2]
The firm is also credited with the 2,200 seat art deco Bolivar Theater (1933) in Quito, Ecuador.[3]
The Bala Theatre at 157 Bala Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania remains open as does the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts at 207 Seventh Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Other Hoffman-Henon theaters still in operation include the Bristol Riverside Theatre at 120 Radcliffe Street in Bristol, Pennsylvania; the Bushfire Theatre at 224 S. 52nd Street in Philadelphia; the Everett Theatre at 47 W. Main Street in Middletown, Delaware; Prince Music Theater (1921)(formerly the Karlton and Midtown) at 1412 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia[4] and the Queen Theater at 500 North Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware. 19801
Contents
Works
- The Karlton Theatre (1921), 1412 Chestnut Street,[2] later known as the Midtown and then the Prince Music Theater
- The Wynne Theater (1927–1928)
- Erlanger Theatre (1927)
- Stanley Theater, Philadelphia (1928)
- Stanley Theatre, Baltimore (1927-1965,1958 renamed The Stanton until it's 1965 demolition)
- Boyd Theatre (1928)
- Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, later called the Benedum Center (1928)
- St. Joseph's House for Homeless Industrious Boys (1929)
- Mastbaum Theatre (1929)
- Earle Theatre
- Bolivar Theater (1933)
See also
References
Further reading
- Hoffman & Henon Images from Philadelphia Athenaeum
