In 1978 the Theatre was purchased by UA Cinemas and converted into a four-auditorium movie theater. The new owners dismantled the original interior decor and demolished a majority of the handcrafted embellishments. The building slowly fell into disrepair and ultimately could not compete with the larger multi-screen theaters. It closed in 2002.

The Merced Theatre is coming back to life. The Merced Theatre Foundation and the City of Merced are cooperating to restore the theatre to its original state. Please review the history and rennovation links at left to learn more.

The National Park Service's decision will aid in the preservation and restoration efforts, along with making it eligible for more grants.

The theater opened Oct. 31, 1931. The foundation leading the renovation hopes to reopen it by Oct. 30, 2010 -- the day before the building's 79th anniversary.

James and Merritt Reid, two San Francisco-based architects, designed the theater, along with Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland and the Balboa Theatre in San Francisco.

The brothers also designed the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and the Fairmont Hotel and the Cliff House in San Francisco.

The Merced Theatre may have been the last designed by the Reid brothers. Merritt died three months after the theater opened and James retired. It was their only theater project in the Central Valley.

Inside the theatre, visitors were surrounded by a depiction of a Spanish castle courtyard, with blue skies and a cloud machine. There were elegant box seats overlooking the stage.

When the theater opened it was the first air conditioned building in Merced County and could hold 1,645 people, about a quarter of Merced's population at the time.

For decades it served as a movie theater, graduation auditorium and concert hall for the community. In 1978, it was purchased by United Artists, which gutted the interior of its handcrafted embellishments and turned it into a four-plex.

The theatre was listed on the Register on May 1, and it was announced by the National Park Service on June 5.

-- Scott Jason

Take a Seat! or Pick a Brick!
-------------------------------------
Take a Seat!

The Theatre Foundation is pleased to announce another way to support the restoration of the Merced Theatre: Take a Seat.

Have your contribution for the Merced Theatre remembered by buying a seat (or more than one!) in the Merced Theatre. You, your family, or anyone you choose can be honored with an individualized brass nameplate on a seatback in the Theatre itself. Choose from a range of seat prices:

Upper Balcony            $500.00
Orchestra               $1,000.00
Orchestra Front       $1,200.00
Loge                    $1,500.00

Seats are assigned on a first-come, first served basis, with each section being filled from the front center. Contribute early for the best location.

To Take a Seat, fill out this form and mail it in---> Purchase a seat form.

The Theatre Foundation has selected the 25 "best seats in the house" for folks who want a special recognition. These 25 seats will be sold at auction. The highest bidder will hand pick his or her seat from the best 25; the next highest bidder will select a seat from the remaining 24 and so on.

The minimum bid for these seats is $1500. The auction will commence on March 15th, 2008 and will end on May 1st, 2008. The highest bidders will be listed here on the Theatre's website. They will also be notified by email as the auction progresses.

To submit your bid, or update your bid, fill out this form and email it to us ----> Best seat.

The Theatre Foundation is pleased to announce yet another new way to support the restoration of the Merced Theatre: Pick a Brick.

Have your contribution for the Merced Theatre memorialized with a handsome brick in the sidewalk on King Way, next to the Merced Theatre.

You can choose either a 4 by 8 inch brick for $150.00, or an 8 by 8 inch brick for $250.00. Have your own name in the brick, or honor a loved one of your family. Yes, you can buy more than one!

Bricks are assigned on a first-come, first served basis, with each section being filled first nearest the front door of the Theatre. Contribute early for the best location.

Tax-deductible donations can be made payable to the Merced Theatre Foundation, P.O. Box 716, Merced, CA, 95341. Or call the Theatre for more information at (209) 722-3266.

The theatre is closed for renovation; stay tuned for the Grand Re-opening in the fall of 2010.


home	The theatre is now closed for restoration. Historic Merced Theatre When the Merced Theatre opened its doors in October 1931, it was tauted as the community's premier showplace for motion pictures and live performances. It operated continuously for the next 47 years serving the Merced community until 1978. The Merced Theatre was and still is treasured by the people of Merced County. In 1978 the Theatre was purchased by UA Cinemas and converted into a four-auditorium movie theater. The new owners dismantled the original interior decor and demolished a majority of the handcrafted embellishments. The building slowly fell into disrepair and ultimately could not compete with the larger multi-screen theaters. It closed in 2002. Since 2002 The Merced Theatre is coming back to life. The Merced Theatre Foundation and the City of Merced are cooperating to restore the theatre to its original state. Please review the history and rennovation links at left to learn more. Merced Theatre on historic register From the Merced Sun-Star: The Merced Theatre, downtown's longtime landmark, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service's decision will aid in the preservation and restoration efforts, along with making it eligible for more grants. The theater opened Oct. 31, 1931. The foundation leading the renovation hopes to reopen it by Oct. 30, 2010 -- the day before the building's 79th anniversary. James and Merritt Reid, two San Francisco-based architects, designed the theater, along with Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland and the Balboa Theatre in San Francisco. The brothers also designed the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego and the Fairmont Hotel and the Cliff House in San Francisco. The Merced Theatre may have been the last designed by the Reid brothers. Merritt died three months after the theater opened and James retired. It was their only theater project in the Central Valley. Inside the theatre, visitors were surrounded by a depiction of a Spanish castle courtyard, with blue skies and a cloud machine. There were elegant box seats overlooking the stage. When the theater opened it was the first air conditioned building in Merced County and could hold 1,645 people, about a quarter of Merced's population at the time. For decades it served as a movie theater, graduation auditorium and concert hall for the community. In 1978, it was purchased by United Artists, which gutted the interior of its handcrafted embellishments and turned it into a four-plex. The theatre was listed on the Register on May 1, and it was announced by the National Park Service on June 5. -- Scott Jason Help restore Merced Theatre to former glory Take a Seat! or Pick a Brick! ------------------------------------- Take a Seat! The Theatre Foundation is pleased to announce another way to support the restoration of the Merced Theatre: Take a Seat. Have your contribution for the Merced Theatre remembered by buying a seat (or more than one!) in the Merced Theatre. You, your family, or anyone you choose can be honored with an individualized brass nameplate on a seatback in the Theatre itself. Choose from a range of seat prices: Upper Balcony $500.00 Orchestra $1,000.00 Orchestra Front $1,200.00 Loge $1,500.00 Seats are assigned on a first-come, first served basis, with each section being filled from the front center. Contribute early for the best location. To Take a Seat, fill out this form and mail it in---> Purchase a seat form. WAIT! Want the Best Seat in the house? The Theatre Foundation has selected the 25 "best seats in the house" for folks who want a special recognition. These 25 seats will be sold at auction. The highest bidder will hand pick his or her seat from the best 25; the next highest bidder will select a seat from the remaining 24 and so on. The minimum bid for these seats is $1500. The auction will commence on March 15th, 2008 and will end on May 1st, 2008. The highest bidders will be listed here on the Theatre's website. They will also be notified by email as the auction progresses. To submit your bid, or update your bid, fill out this form and email it to us ----> Best seat. To see the current high bidders, please click here---> High Bidders Pick a Brick! The Theatre Foundation is pleased to announce yet another new way to support the restoration of the Merced Theatre: Pick a Brick. *Have your contribution for the Merced Theatre memorialized with a handsome brick in the sidewalk on King Way, next to the Merced Theatre.* You can choose either a 4 by 8 inch brick for $150.00, or an 8 by 8 inch brick for $250.00. Have your own name in the brick, or honor a loved one of your family. Yes, you can buy more than one! Bricks are assigned on a first-come, first served basis, with each section being filled first nearest the front door of the Theatre. Contribute early for the best location. To pick your brick, either fill out the form and mail it in with your check - Purchase a brick Form. Tax-deductible donations can be made payable to the Merced Theatre Foundation, P.O. Box 716, Merced, CA, 95341. Or call the Theatre for more information at (209) 722-3266. Print form for Tax-deductible donation form here ---> Link to Newsletter - July 2007 Link to Newsletter - December 2007 Link to Newsletter - March 2009 Now renting! Due to demolition work in the Theatre, the main theatre is closed. Apartments are fully occupied. There are four retail spaces available for well qualified renters. Apartments Retail Space The theatre is closed for renovation; stay tuned for the Grand Re-opening in the fall of 2010.
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Merced Theatre Foundation polo shirts are now available at the Theatre for $35.00 each. This is a great way to support the historic Theatre in style. Shirts are available in small, medium, large and extra large sizes. All proceeds from the sale of these shirts will benefit the theatre’s restoration campaign. Thank you to Tim O’Neill from Image Masters for providing these shirts to the Foundation at a discounted rate. Want to buy some original seats?? Go here ---> Original Seats. Or to Ebay: Bid on original seats. $100,000 sponsor Thank you Merced Sun Star for your donation of $100,000 in advertising for the Theatre!!

Merced Theatre on historic register

Due to demolition work in the Theatre, the main theatre is closed. Apartments are fully occupied. There are four retail spaces available for well qualified renters.

$100,000 sponsor

Due to demolition work in the Theatre, the main theatre is closed. Apartments are fully occupied.
There are four retail spaces available for well qualified renters.