In the early 20th century, following the development of the entertainment industry, hundreds of theaters were built across North America. Major entertainment firms and movie studios commissioned specialized architects to build grandiose and extravagant auditoriums.
From the 60's, TV, multiplexes and urban crisis made them obsolete. During the following decades, these theaters were either modernized, transformed into adult cinemas or they closed, one after the other; many of them were simply demolished.
Those which remain, escaping this fate, have been converted to serve varied purposes.
Now, many are reused as churches, retail spaces, flea markets, bingo halls, discos, supermarkets or warehouses. Some are waiting for a restoration and some others just sit abandoned.
This work, started in 2005, has been published in the book "Movie Theaters" by Prestel in 2021.
