Rialto Theatre
Why it's listed
Built in 1925 at 1019-1023 Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena, the Rialto Theatre combined a theater, retail shops and apartments in one two-story building of reinforced concrete, brick and structural steel. Architect L. A. Smith gave it a Moorish theme, and the interior is described as a lavish example of his eclectic Moorish fantasy. William G. Reed built it for West Coast Theatres. It opened with feature films and vaudeville, and served as a tryout stage for talent produced by Fanchon and Marco. Later it hosted a touring play company before a backstage fire in the early 1930s ended live performance. The original wall and ceiling decoration, red and gold house curtains and asbestos curtain survive, and a larger neon marquee replaced the first one in the 1930s. Smith designed fifteen or more theatres, and the Rialto is one of a few that remain. The nomination rests its case mainly on architecture, art and theater.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the Rialto is one of a dwindling handful of surviving theatres by prolific architect L. A. Smith and one of the best preserved examples of his work. Its Moorish fantasy interior, original decorative art, curtains and vaudeville and film history add to its theatrical significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000700, listed May 24, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1019--1023 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | May 24, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000700 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924-1925 |
| Architect / builder | L. A. Smith, architect; Wm. G. Reed (William G. Reed), builder |
| Architectural style | Moorish motif/Moorish fantasy (theatre 'palace of entertainment'), with a later moderne/art deco marquee |
| Areas of significance | Art, Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and in use for entertainment; condition marked excellent/good and altered. The interior remains in good shape, though no stage performance has occurred since the early 1930s. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 34.11394, -118.15065 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000700.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18753805
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.