Revitalized Modern Theatre to reopen

The Modern Theatre, the first theater in Boston designed specifically to show “moving pictures,” has been completely revived by Suffolk University.

The $42 million project – the restoration of the façade and construction of a 10-story building for student housing next to another residence hall – is expected to receive Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

Located at 525 Washington St., the theater will be open to the public for a tour from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5. An invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Thursday, Nov. 4.

COURTESY PHOTO /

PETER VANDERWARKER

The historic building was constructed in 1876, after the Great Fire ravaged the city four years earlier. Originally it was used as retail and warehouse space, but in 1913 it was converted to the Modern.

Then-owner Jacob Lourie introduced the first films with sound and premiered “The Jazz Singer.” When nearby vaudeville theaters began adding movies, he promoted the double feature. Admission was 15 cents.

The building fell out of use in the 1980s and was deemed to be beyond repair. Mayor Thomas M. Menino pushed for its resuscitation.

In 1995 Menino listed the three theaters along Washington Street – the Opera House, the Paramount and the Modern – among the most endangered, compiled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The listing raised awareness and public interest in saving these historic properties. Today all three have been restored.

The façade of the Modern was painstakingly restored stone by stone, and the new residence hall used brick salvaged from the Beacon Hill site where the university constructed a new building in 1923.

CBT Architects designed the new, 185-seat, jewel box theater and incorporated elements from the original interior. John Lee Beatty, a Tony Award-winning theater scene painter and designer, created a mural for the stage house walls based on themes and colors from the past.

The theater lobby showcases artifacts from the original movie house, vintage photographs and images of old movie posters and Hollywood stars of the day. Programming calls for performances, movies and conversations with prominent individuals in the arts world.