Alhambra Theater

The Alhambra Theater on Polk Street is a striking example of nineteen twenties Moorish Revival architecture, designed to transport moviegoers to an exotic fantasy world before the film even began. When it opened in nineteen twenty-six, the building featured elaborate ornamentation inspired by Spanish and Mexican designs, including its distinctive twin minarets that still stand as a neighborhood landmark today. The interior was once a grand space with a decorative dome that served as the pride of the surrounding residential areas. While many movie palaces of its era were demolished, this structure has survived through decades of changes to its purpose and layout.