Harding Theater

Infobox building
building_name = Harding Theater


caption = Harding Theater, circa ___________
building_type = Theater
architectural_style = Gothic, Moorish
structural_system =
location = San Francisco, California, United States
coordinates =
start_date =
completion_date = 1926
demolition_date =
height =
floor_count =
main_contractor =
architect = Reid Brothers
structural_engineer =
services_engineer =
civil_engineer =
other_designers =
quantity_surveyor =
awards = The Harding Theater is a historic movie theater in San Francisco, California.

History

The Harding Theater was built in 1926 by Reid Brothers architects. As with other facilities built by the Reid Brothers, such as the Alhambra Theater in San Francisco, it has a capacity of between 800 and 1200 people. [ [http://cinematreasures.org/theater/3141/ Cinema Treasures] lists capacity as 1250 seats, as did a "San Francisco Chronicle" article. However, a "San Francisco Examiner" article described the theater as having 800 seats.] The Harding was used as a movie theater from 1926 to 1970. The theatrical group Lamplighters Music Theatre performed at the facility from 1961 to 1968, [ [http://www.usfca.edu/presentationtheater/history.html Lamplighters Music Theater] ] while the Grateful Dead were featured at the theater on 7 November 1971 with their first performance of "Hideaway".

From the mid-1970s to 2004, the theater was used as a church. [San Francisco Planning Department Memorandum by Moses Corrette, Preservation Technical Specialist, to Tammy Chan, dated 10/23/06. Available as "Attachment 2" to the appeal available at the link below. See also "San Francisco Chronicle", January 14, 2005, also cited below.] In 2004 (approximate date), the building was purchased by developers for US$1.6 million. [Available on San Francisco Planning Department public computer, main floor 1650 Mission St., San Francisco, CA or calling the San Francisco Planning Department main number at [phone]. This information is likely available at the San Francisco Assessor/Record office, City Hall, 1st floor, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco. [phone]. See also "San Francisco Chronicle", January 14, 2005, cited below.]

Present day

The owner/developer is moving forward with a "compromise" plan to "save" the building, by demolishing the back fly system (see also batten), moving the stage and proscenium forward, and possibly removing and reconstructing the seating and building condominiums. [http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_page.asp?id=84319 San Francisco Planning Commmission - agenda for 17 July 2008] ]

Historic preservation activists believe this plan will threaten the historical integrity of the building and limit its future uses. [http://www.savetheharding.blogspot.com "Save the Harding" activist website] ] [http://www.friendsof1800.org/HARDING/hardingtheater.html Friends of 1800 website] ] An appeal was filed against the San Francisco Planning Department's "Negative Declaration" to the Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). [ [http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_index.asp San Francisco Planning Department] ] [ [http://www.friendsof1800.org/HARDING/HardingTheaterLetter.pdf Appeal filed by the "Friends of 1800" group] ] In 2005, a similar challenge was successfully made against the negative declaration to the developer's original plan to demolish the entire theater to build more condominiums. That appeal was heard by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in April 2005. [ [http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/minutes/m041905.htm San Francisco Board of Supervisors - minutes of the 19 April 2005 meeting] ]

The current appeal was originally to be be heard on July 17, 2008, but was continued to September 25, 2008. The Planning Department rescinded its Preliminary Negative Declaration and is preparing a new one proposed to be heard on November 6, 2008. [http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_page.asp?id=89076]

References

External links

* [http://www.outsidelands.org/reid.php Reid Brothers at Western Neighborhood Project website]
* [http://news.sfobserver.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=f79732304e38d73933971d2c9b446c88 "Neighbors Saddened by Harding Theater Imminent Demolition" by Lubna Takruri, "San Francisco Observer", January 11, 2005]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/01/14/WBGI3AN3SM1.DTL&type=printable "Developers, Activists Debate Theater's Worth" by Carolyn Jones, "San Francisco Chronicle", January 14, 2005]
* [http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/search/XHarding%20Theater&SORT=D Historical phots of the theater] at the San Francisco Main Library