Crest Theatre

The Crest Theatre is a notable historic landmark located in the heart of downtown Sacramento, California. With its origins dating back to 1912, the theatre first opened its doors as the Empress Theatre, serving as a vaudeville palace. It later transitioned to the Hippodrome Theatre before undergoing a tragic incident on September 14, 1946, when the marquee collapsed onto the pavement, resulting in a fatality. In the aftermath of this event, the theatre was completely remodeled and rebranded in 1949 as the art deco Crest Theatre we know today. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Crest Theatre emerged as one of Sacramento's leading venues for first-run movies. However, by the 1970s, the theatre experienced a decline, showing mostly sub-run films and eventually closing in the early 1980s. Efforts to revive the Crest Theatre eventually bore fruit in 1986. A fire in 1993, which affected a neighboring building, caused smoke damage to the theatre but fortuitously spared it from more extensive harm. The insurance settlement from this incident, alongside redevelopment grants from the City of Sacramento, facilitated significant restoration efforts. These included the creation of two basement screening rooms and the refurbishment of the theatre's iconic neon marquee. The theatre's restoration was an ongoing project, with further improvements made in 2009. However, changes in movie-viewing habits and the financial burden of updating to digital projection led to the closure of the basement screening rooms in 2013. In its current phase, the Crest Theatre is undergoing a modernization project, which includes transforming the former basement screening rooms into the Empress Tavern, a full-service on-site restaurant. The project also encompasses the installation of high-speed internet for the ticketing system, structural enhancements to accommodate concert sound and lighting systems, the introduction of DCP compliant digital movie projection, and the replacement of the HVAC system that had been in place for over six decades. Despite the renovations, the Crest Theatre maintains its commitment to film, retaining the capability to screen 35 mm films. It remains an active venue, hosting a variety of community events, concerts, and showcasing foreign and independent films, even as the modernization project continues. The Crest Theatre is situated within walking distance from the State Capitol, the Sacramento Convention Center, and the Golden 1 Center, the home of the Sacramento Kings basketball team. It stands as a testament to the rich cultural history of Sacramento and continues to be a cherished institution in the city's vibrant arts scene.