But along with progress came the developers' wrecking balls. Most cinemas and theatres became office blocks. The same occurred throughout much of the western world, especially in smaller cities. Touring theatres died as small touring companies found touring too expensive. City centre cinemas occupied too much valuable real estate.
Now one city in the USA has decided that renovating and restoring long abandoned old theatres actually makes economic sense. It not only preserves a city's heritage.Birmingham, Alabama, once had 20 theatres, all within five blocks. These were the places where Buster Keaton, Mae West and the Marx Brothers all appeared. Now restoration seems they make economic sense in reviving the city centre. The Lyric and the glorious Alabama theatres have finished restoration. Now work is under way on the art-deco Carver Theatre and Lincoln Theater, both which served the African-American community, More will follow.
[Glenny Brock, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, who left her job as journalist to work full-time on saving theatres] says the Lyric's restoration has led to businesses - from a hip coffee shop to a ramen bar - springing up around it, and new apartments are making the downtown area an appealing place to live.
The Glorious Interior of the Restored Alabama Theater - copyright The Alabama Theater
The Lyric Theater Before and After Restoration
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47820698