Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

Foyer of the new Fox Winrock Theatre in Albuquerque, N.M., with the boxoffice to the right, and the lobby left center, showing a portion of the concessions stand. Note the interesting dividers at left of the picture. FOX WINROCK A LUXURIOUS SHOWCASE Albuquerque, N. M., Gets Its First New Theatre in 20 Years C osting in the neighborhood of $1,000,000 and seating 801, the new Fox Winrock Theatre in Albuquerque, N.M., epitomizes the finest setup in the region. Centered in a parking area for 350 cars, the theatre is located in the new Winrock Shopping Center, which has space for more than 5,000 cars, which space is very close to the theatre. The cost of the theatre is in addition to the ground lease cost. The theatre is not only one of the most beautiful in the west, but is easily one of the most functional, with the planning for the house having been done by Mel Glatz, construction engineer for Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres, a division of National General Corporation. Architects were Richard Crowther & Associates, Denver. The as sociate architect was Arthur Dekker, Albuquerque. These people combined their best talents in the planning and building of the theatre which marked the entrance of Fox Inter-Mountain Theatres into Albuquerque, although they have theatres in other New Mexico cities. As one enters the theatre, which has an entrance built of glass and aluminum, one is struck with the beauty of the lobby. The floor is of quarry tile; the walls of concrete block, covered with sheetrock and vinyl fabric, and to the right is the boxoffice with the new-style open counter, topped with walnut Formica. Just past the boxoffice area one comes to the carpeted foyer. The carpeting for the theatre was custom woven, and is a perfectly balanced blend of heavy commercial carpet, manufactured for both durability and beauty. Glatz selected the warm golds and browns used as the basic colorations. These colors bring into the theatre the friendly natural tones found in the rocks and hills in America’s great southwest. Glatz correlated the emerald green, accented with flecks of brown and bittersweet, to give a dimensional effect to the five-pointed stars forming the secondary pattern in the design. This lends a modern contemporary feeling conforming to the theatre’s architectural plan. The famous “WR” brand, the insignia for the entire Winrock Shopping Center, is the highlight of the carpet pattern. BRAND IN OVERLAY EFFECT Glatz designed the WR as an overlay effect and directed the carpet weavers to place the WR brands at various angles so as to be looking into the insignia from any approach within the theatre. Arthur Schneider, director of the carpet manufacturer’s styling department, collaborated with Glatz in the final execution of setting up the design. The 801 seats in the auditorium are a brand new conception in seating comfort, with the Fox Winrock being their first installation in the world. When the planners for the new theatre laid out their designs for the comfort of the patrons, they paid special attention to seats. “The new chairs will give our patrons the most comfortable seating available in any theatre in the world,” manager Lou Gasparini said. For Exterior of the Fox Winrock, showing roominess of the auto entrance and exit, with parking area beyond the sign. Some of the landscaping is shown. The MODERN THEATRE SECTION