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ARTH3810 2019F Class Projects (Publication)Main MenuThe Tent Room at Rideau HallKyle Kreutner, Page 1 of 6The Webley Shacks: Unconventional Furniture Use in the Context of Ceaseless SurveillanceJose BawaganImperial Theater By Munawar MobinKeagan F - CSTM Sound HistoryIntroductionThe Mayfair TheatreSimran S.An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on Patients144 Loretta Avenue North, Aidan MacNaullAidan MacNaull 144 Loretta Avenue NorthWest Block - Canada's New House of Commonsby Devon RudykRideau Street Chapel: The Effects of Relocation on the Experience of an Interiorby Ty FollisThe Church of St. Andrew's OttawaDavid Bastien-AllardMaking the Past Present: Union Station Restoration – A Political Facelift?by Vivian AstroffDelegation of the Ismali ImamatThe National Arts Centre: Reflecting on its Past and PresentSaint Paul University - A Shift in ValuesReem SiageFilm in Ottawa: The Mayfair theatreby Giovanna Maria SangCGM -An Investigation of Hospital Interiors Effect on PatientsThe Chateau LaurierBy Jessica El-GhazalReusable Space: The Senate of Canada Buildingby Syenne HolderNational Gallery of Canada - Seeing the Colonnade Through a Semiological Lens by Ricky TongRickyTHE OTTAWA STATIONEhidiamen Iyamabo, HomePageAVRC81ff8dad33b7fe77eee9a543209e890531c75438
12019-11-27T19:41:08-08:00Introduction1plain2019-11-27T19:41:08-08:00The grand opening of the Imperial theater saw almost 700 people crowding along bank street, on the moderately cold evening of August 24th, 1914 (Miguelez, 112). With the first World War just beginning to get underway, the Imperial Theater opened its gates as the capital’s number one spot for the grand cinema experience and eventually would go on to survive the second world war, several owner and establishment changes and ultimately house a nightclub, an adult store and a fast food restaurant.
It was deemed “Canada’s most beautiful” theater and had hosted a whole number of films in its time, providing the viewers with a modern seating arrangement, adorned with gorgeous art deco interiors. The interior consists of a large cornice running along the ceiling, Japanese grass cloth panels on the side walls and colours of cream, ivory and soft purples lay in harmony with the satin walnut woodwork that could be spied all throughout the theater (Miguelez, 114). Unfortunately, as the building kept changing ownership it also started keeper fewer records, even though the building has been continuously in need of renovation and restoration. (Sferlazza, 8). As a result what little records do remain are not only rare in respect to the rich history of the Imperial Theater, but also tells a tale of the entire history of 323 Bank Street, from the start during the early years of the first world war to the new burgers that are now served weekly at the lower wing of the establishment. The records paint a portrait of the how the social space of the art deco theater changed over the decades and how the interiors changed to suit the needs of the people using the space.
AUDITORIUM The seating arrangement inside the auditorium was designed in such a manner that the box seats were built right in front of the balcony, separating the space with curtains and providing the best view of the stage for the higher playing viewers (Miguelez, 114). The theater also boasted the most impressive organ in Ottawa at the time; one that gained notoriety among the citizens and theater goers due to the heavy price tag of $20,000, as was advertised in more than one variation of the opening signs for the theater. (Dean, 66).