Saving the Boyd Theater

This exciting news comes from Howard B. Haas, President of Friends of the Boyd. . .

"Philadelphia developer HAL WHEELER has signed an agreement to purchase the historic Boyd Theatre in a few months from Live Nation. He is one of the developers that Friends of the Boyd met with this past year. He would build the MONACO brand of KIMPTON, a four star hotel, on the Sansom Street former parking lot. This location is where the stage house expansion had previously been planned. The Boyd would not host Touring Broadway musicals, which will continue to be presented at the Academy of Music. The Boyd must be fully restored to its original Art Deco beauty. Wheeler would reopen the closed movie palace for a variety of entertainment and hotel events. He would like to accommodate movie premieres and a film series. Inga Saffron's article in
the Philadelphia Inquirer appears here: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/28043324.html

Friends of the Boyd are eager to hear more of the details for authentic and complete restoration. The reopening of the Boyd Theatre would revitalize the neighborhood including Chestnut West, but nothing is conclusive yet. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia would need to help fund restoration, as cities and states nationwide have done with their movie
palaces.

After the Boyd Theatre closed and appeared headed for demolition in 2002, the FRIENDS OF THE BOYD, INC. organized as a nonprofit organization of community volunteers, . For 6 years and working with three successive owners of the theater and many allies, we are expecting the authentic restoration of the Boyd and its reopening for entertainment. After a false start in 2006, when the Boyd was left at the altar by a prior owner, we have been seeking other solutions.

This year has been quite exciting! The NATIONAL TRUST included the Boyd on their national list of 11 endangered properties. The PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION legally protected the movie palace's exterior. Councilman BILL GREEN introduced his bill to allow for protection of landmark interiors such as the Boyd. Friends of the Boyd are excited with these milestones, but funding support is needed from the City and
Commonwealth, so the public can once again enjoy the Boyd Theatre!"

Concerts in the Park!

Philadelphia Weekly's "Concerts in the Park" series is coming to a close and this Wednesday, from 7pm - 9pm, The Hustle and Black Landlord will be playing in the middle of the square. If you haven't been out to a show yet, they are a lot of fun so pack a picnic and enjoy the show!

New Website!

Woah, sorry I haven't kept up with the blog. Summer is officially over and I promise I'll be more attentive. We have a new website! It's pretty basic but all of our articles are finally online and there is a lot of information about upcoming events in the Rittenhouse Square area.

www.RittenhouseMagazine.com