Charline McCombs Empire Theatre
The Charline McCombs Empire Theatre was built in 1913 on the site of the former Rische's Opera House in downtown San Antonio, Texas. Designed in the style of a European palazzo by architects Mauran, Russell & Crow of St. Louis, the Empire operated as a vaudeville house and then a motion picture theatre.
The Empire's grandeur was prematurely concealed by inappropriate repairs to extensive flood damage in 1921. After a long, slow decline, the vaudeville house, turned B-run movie theatre, closed its doors in 1978.
[Empire Theatre historic marquee] Redeveloped as part of the neighboring Majestic Theatre project, fundraising efforts by Las Casas Foundation, a local non-profit organization, restored the forgotten luster of the interior of the theatre, and the venue reopened as the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre in 1998 after $5 million in renovations. The 856 seat Empire is equipped with a flexible seating system on the main floor, providing the capability for theatre style seating, as well as adjustable platforms that provide both banquet and cabaret table seating options. The Empire is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is operated by ACE as self-sustaining performing arts facility and is home to a wide variety of programming including: intimate musical concerts, comedy attractions, children's theatre; and private uses including banquets, seminars, product launches and weddings.
