Tivoli Theatre ~ Chattanooga, TN
Posted by: 
Better Half
N 35° 02.892 W 085° 18.630
16S E 654086 N 3879693
Historical Tivoli ~709 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Waymark Code: WM2CNC
Location: Tennessee, United States
Date Posted: 10/12/2007
Views: 197
The Tivoli was built by the Chicago firm of Rapp & Rapp, and opened in 1921 after almost 2 years of construction, costing $1 million, a huge sum for the day. No expense was spared to make this one of the most lavish and luxurious theaters Tennesseeans had ever seen. In fact, after it opened, it was called The Jewel of the South.
The Tivoli featured a domed ceiling in the lobby, with gilded plasterwork and imported European crystal chandeliers. The theater originally hosted both vaudeville and silent movies, but was wired for sound in 1929. It also was one of the first public buildings in Tennessee to be air conditioned. In 1926, Paramount acquired the Tivoli, making it a part of its empire, in which it would remain until after WWII.
From its opening all the way into the 40s, the Tivoli remained the premier entertainment venue for the city, but by the end of the 1950s, the theater's audience had been lured away by television and it closed in 1961.
After a partial renovation, the Tivoli reopened two years later, but closed again in the early 1970s. The City of Chattanooga purchased the Tivoli in 1976, and in 1979, plans were begun to restore the palace to its former glory, but work did not actually get underway until 1986.
Three years later, the Tivoli reopened, brilliantly and painstakingly restored to its 1920s appearance, along with a new sound and light system, a larger stage, new dressing rooms, a green room, and rehearsal space.
Today, the Tivoli is home to the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, as well as concerts, dance, and Broadway shows.
Status: Open
Screens: Single Screen
Style: French Renaissance
Function: Concerts, Performing Arts
Seats: 1781
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Rapp & Rapp
Number of Screen(s): 1
Year Theater Opened: Not listed
Ticket Price (local currency): Not Listed
Matinee Price (local currency): Not Listed
Concessions Available: Not Listed
Web site: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Must take a photo of the theater.
Please try to include yourself or gps in the picture.
Tell of your experience at the theater, if it is still a theater. If it is no longer a theater tell of an experience from the past at the theater, if this can be done.