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264 West Main Street | National or State Registers Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

National or State Registers Record

264 West Main Street

National or State Register of Historic Places
264 West Main Street | National or State Registers Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Pix Theater
Reference Number:S0000001
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):264 West Main Street
County:Waukesha
City/Village:Waukesha
Township:
SUMMARY
Pix Theater
264 W Main Street, Waukesha, Waukesha County
Architect: Albert Keymar
Date of construction: 1939-1940

The Pix Theater was constructed as a second run cinema. Previously, the Park and the Avon theaters in Waukesha showed only first run movies. A second run movie house compensated for the relatively short run of most films, and provided a budget cinema venue. The construction of the Pix also coincided with the 1939 Supreme Court ruling that broke the movie studios' monopoly on the production, distribution, and exhibition of films. The ruling created new opportunities for independently owned and operated theaters, such as the Pix.

Reflecting both the economic austerity of the times and the popularity of the Art Moderne style, the building lacks the opulence of earlier movie palaces. The building¿s streamlined appearance is created using rounded corners, smooth wall surfaces and industrial finishes. The façade was clad with cream and green porcelain enamel panels and accented with stainless steel bands. The bold projecting pylon with the theater name and a simple marquee below provide the only decoration.

The air-conditioned Pix auditorium could seat 500 patrons. It was decorated with acoustical panels arranged in simple, geometric patterns. The rehabilitated interior reflects the period in its finishes and decoration, but has been changed significantly to accommodate its new use as a performing arts theater.

The building is open to the public for performances and other scheduled events.

This building is listed on the State Register only.

PROPERTY FEATURES
Period of Significance:1940
Area of Significance:Architecture
Applicable Criteria:Architecture/Engineering
Historic Use:Recreation And Culture: Theater
Architectural Style:Modern Movement
Resource Type:Building
Architect:Keymar, Albert F.
DESIGNATIONS
Historic Status:Listed in the State Register
State Register Listing Date:10/22/1999
NUMBER OF RESOURCES WITHIN PROPERTY
Number of Contributing Buildings:1
Number of Contributing Sites:0
Number of Contributing Structures:0
Number of Contributing Objects:0
Number of Non-Contributing Sites:0
Number of Non-Contributing Structures:0
Number of Non-Contributing Objects:0
RECORD LOCATION
National Register and State Register of Historic Places, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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National Register of Historic Places Citation
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