Demolition begins on historic Philadelphia movie palace

By - Associated Press - Sunday, March 15, 2015

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Demolition work has begun on a historic Philadelphia movie palace despite long-running efforts by preservationists to try to save the structure.

Crews tore down huge sections of the brick wall Saturday on two sides of The Boyd Theater, an Art Deco movie palace that opened in 1928. The Chestnut Street facade remained intact.

Fans of the movie palace last year struck a deal to protect the exterior, the foyer, and lobby, but the agreement did not cover the lavish auditorium.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the city issued a permit last month allowing partial demolition of certain portions of the rear vacant building (former theater).

Howard Haas, president of the Friends of the Boyd, called the demolition heartbreaking. He said Philadelphia will no longer have any premiere movie palaces remaining.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com

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Demolition begins on historic Philadelphia movie palace