Fox Theatre (Redwood City, California)
The Fox Theatre opened in 1929, when Redwood City was a small Peninsula town and going to the movies meant entering a palace. The ornate interior, designed in the atmospheric style popular during Hollywood's golden age, transported audiences from downtown Redwood City to somewhere grander. Remodeled in 1950 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, the Fox has survived longer than most of its kind.
The Movie Palace Era
The Fox was built during the brief, spectacular era of American movie palace construction, when theater chains competed to create the most lavish environments for film audiences. The atmospheric design style created the illusion of being outdoors -- walls painted to resemble Mediterranean buildings, ceilings dotted with twinkling lights resembling stars. The Fox Theatre brought this experience to a mid-Peninsula community, offering a taste of Hollywood glamour within walking distance of the county courthouse.
Survival and Revival
Most movie palaces were demolished or converted in the decades after television undercut their business model. The Fox survived, partly through its 1950 remodel and partly through the efforts of preservationists who recognized its architectural significance. Its listing on the National Register in 1994 provided both recognition and protection. Today, the Fox anchors Redwood City's downtown revival, hosting live performances and community events in a building that has been entertaining audiences for nearly a century.
From the Air
Fox Theatre is at 37.486°N, 122.230°W in downtown Redwood City. The theater is part of the downtown street grid. Nearest airports: San Carlos (KSQL) 2 nm north, Palo Alto (KPAO) 4 nm south.