Built St. Louis: Crumbling Landmarks
Avalon Theater

The single-screen Avalon Cinema stands abandoned on S. Kingshighway, empty since 1999. The exterior is showing early signs of significant damage, including the collapse of one brick parapet corner, and a severe lean at the opposite corner which indicates that it is likely headed in the same direction.

The building opened in 1935, constructed to the designs of A.F. & Arthur Stauder. It fluctuated between first- and second-run films through its history, with brief daliances with an arthouse schedule as well. It was home to regular Rocky Horror screenings as well.

Cinema Tour.com has photos from a walk-through of the interior. Unfortunately, an early 1970s "renovation" removed or covered up whatever might have remained of the original interior.

Update, Oct. 16 2007: Fade to Black - a July 2007 Riverfront Times article tracks down the theater's eccentric owner and recalls the building's unfortunate recent history.

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