310 Ninth St., Tacoma, Washington. County/parish: Pierce.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places August 21, 1992. NRIS 92001041.
1 contributing building.
The Rialto Theatre in Tacoma, Washington was built in 1918 to showcase movies. Its design reflects the affluence following World War I. It reflects the character of a palace and is the result of efforts by entrepreneur Henry T. Moore and Tacoma architect Roland E. Borhek. Designed to hold 1500 patrons (revised to 742 today) and retail space. The two-and-a-half-story structure is in the historic downtown of Tacoma. The area has long been associated with theaters and entertainment. The theater is freestanding, with a dramatic view on an incline with a classical façade sheathed of glazed white terra cotta. Both the interior and exterior retain most of the original design of Roland E. Borhek. The theater has an auditorium, proscenium with stage, a relocated projection booth, balcony, lobby, and commercial space. It has been altered with the removal of the storefronts and marquee. On the inside, the lobby's decorative ceiling has been hidden and the concession areas expanded.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
The building still houses entertainment and commercial activities (Tacoma City Theaters)
(read more...)National Park Service documentation: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75611504