Majestic Theatre
.JPG){kind=link}
Why it's listed
Rising eighteen stories on East Houston Street in San Antonio, this office building contains one of the grandest movie and stage theatres in the United States. Architect John Eberson designed it, and construction ran from 1927 to 1929 for promoter Karl Hoblitzelle's Interstate circuit. The auditorium seats about 4,000 on the main floor and two balconies, and was built as an "atmospheric" theatre: Spanish-Moorish village scenes and a baroque castle line the walls, statuary, peacocks and parrots add detail, and a cloud machine and twinkling stars create an outdoor night sky. The exterior is plain by comparison, with a granite-columned portico and a mission-style parapet. It opened on April 11, 1929, and hosted vaudeville, big band stars and wartime performers before closing in December 1974. It was nominated as the most magnificent show palace in Texas, exceptionally intact, and at risk of demolition.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the most magnificent show palace in Texas and one of the most luxurious in the United States. It was Eberson's largest theatre and one of his last "atmospheric" designs, and it climaxed the careers of Eberson and promoter Karl Hoblitzelle. It is described as exceptionally intact and threatened by the demolition of similar theatres in Texas.
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 75001952, listed October 1, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 230 E. Houston St., San Antonio |
|---|---|
| County | Bexar County |
| Listed | October 1, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001952 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific date 1929) |
| Architect / builder | John Eberson |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial, Mission elements; auditorium basic design Moorish (atmospheric theatre) |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Communications, Performing Arts, Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated April 19, 1993 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The theatre closed in December 1974 and its future was uncertain, with demolition a threat; the office spaces in the building remained occupied. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 29.42628, -98.49040 (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 75001952.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6737719
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.