Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

146 Better Theatres Section April 11, 1931 PLANNING THE THEATRE \ Department of Architectural Assistance Conducted By PETER M. HULSKEN, A. I. A. The Question: OUR Chamber of Commerce is interested in building a War memorial in our city in the form of a theatre. We would want to have some assembly rooms and offices for the war veterans on the second floor and a few store rooms on the first floor. The size of our town is about 9,000 inhabitants. We want to make this a selfsupporting proposition and as our committee consists mostly of ex-service men, we thought we might be able to subscribe about 60% of the amount required to build this memorial in stock locally and finance the balance. We want to have this memorial centrally located so that the theatre could be leased out to a chain theatre cooperation, and the only property which we can obtain for this purpose will cost about $90,000. We figure that the building would cost us about $175,000, making a total of $265,000. We could not charge for the quarters of the war veterans. The only revenue we would have would be the theatre rental and rental from the stores, which in our judgment should bring in about $100 a month per store. Do you think that such an undertaking would be feasible? We want to sell our stock on a basis of 7% return. Kindly let us know at your earliest convenience whether we could get enough revenue from the theatre to carry such a scheme through, as we want to be absolutely sure that this will be a success before our committee takes this matter up with the citizens of our community. — W. W. V. i The Answer: I THINK your proposition is very commendable and expresses a great deal of public spirit, but I doubt whether you could obtain enough rental from the theatre to make such a project a financial success. The majority of the leases are made on a basis of 10% of the cost of the building, and 6% on the cost of the land, which Avould be a lease of $22,000 per year for the operator of the theatre. This, I think, is too large an amount of money for a city of your size, and you will practically be unable to obtain an operator who is willing to pay such a large rental. I do not think that you have to go into such a heavy expenditure. I believe that 1,200 seats would be sufficient for the NOTE: IN THIS department Better Theatres will be glad to answer questions pertaining to the preliminary considerations involved in the planning of a new theatre or in the remodeling of an existing one. Only requests for ideas will be answered, since this department cannot assume the practical functions of an architect. All communications intended for this department should be addressed to "Better Theatres," 1790 Broadway, New York. They will be answered in this department. None will be answered by mail. Although only initials will be used in signing the questions published, it is a requirement that all letters bear the signature and address of their writers. The replies will be prepared personally by Mr. Hulsken, who is a practicing architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects. amount of your population. Why not look for a less expensive site, even if it is a little off the main center of town. If there is no other competition, half-a-block from the main street would not make such a difference, and you might be able to obtain a lot at a cost of about $35,000, build a building at a cost not to exceed $150,000, and you might be able to carry this proposition through. You must understand that the operator who takes the lease on such a building will have to equip it, and this takes a considerable amount of money. The proposition has to be in such a shape that it will make a money earning scheme for the operator just as Avell as for you, so look around a little and make economy your watchword and I think you will succeed. ▲ The Question: ESTIMATE the cost of a 500-seat house in a store building. Nothing extraordinary, just plain. We have our own equipment and want to know the minimum cost of fixing up such a building. The building is of brick, 70 feet long, 30 feet wide outside, 29 feet wide inside, and has a 14-foot ceiling. We want to have adequate room in the aisles, a large booth, 12-foot platform stage, exits, canopy box office. We also would have to have a heating system. Please let us hear from you soon. — ^W. A. C. The Answer: FROM your inquiry I understand that the store building is already built and that your intentions are to transform that into a movie house, but I do not quite understand what you mean by owning your own equipment. Whether you mean projection machines, screen, seats, etc. If this is the case, all you will need then is decorating, carpets, electric light fixtures and the items mentioned by you. A building of that size ought to be decorated for about $600, if only plain treatment is required. The cost of electric light fixtures varies according to the design and material which you might require. However some very nice wrought iron lanterns could be obtained for from $30 to $40 apiece. A standard-designed ticket office can be bought for $600 and up. It is very hard for me to give an estimate on the construction of a projection room as all of the building codes ask for fireproof construction. I do not know whether it has to be supported or could be placed on the floor, but any local contractor would be able to give you an estimate on it. By all means have this constructed fireproof, not only for your own but also your patrons' protection. A 12 foot platform can be very economically constructed, as any local carpenter can handle that, but do not make it higher than 3 feet, 4 inches above the low part of the auditorium floor. I am also unable to give you a quotation on a canopy, as I do not know what size you may require or how it is to be supported. This, however, could be constructed on iron channel frame hung with wrought iron chains from front of building Avails with wood joist and pressed metal ceiling, and the sides could be covered with attraction boards. Much better, of course, to buy a nice marquee. You had better consult a heating contractor in regard to the heating system. Your heating system should be provided with ventilating system to circulate the air. Carpets with padding, you should figure at least from about $3.75 up per yard, laid, according to the quality used. If you include in your estimate about $600 for stage drapes and exit drapes, you will get a pretty close estimate of what your remodeling would cost. In regard to the exits, I do not know what your surroundings are, whether they have to be built out of fireproof material or out of frame. You could figure for a complete set of exit doors with frame and hardware at about $75. In metal they might be twice as much.