The Endangered 8: 2025
San José's Most Threatened Architectural and Cultural Landmarks
Learn More and Take Action!
BURBANK:
SIGN OUR PETITION to express your support for the preservation and adaptive reuse of the Burbank Theater.
Learn more about the theater's history: Historic Resources Report (Brunzell Historical, 2018)
Check out this vintage 1973 KPIX newsreel featuring footage of a more "colorful" era of the Burbank!
TOWNE:
View the theater's 1992 DPR Form
CENTURY 21:
Learn more about the theater's history: Historic Resources Technical Report (Verplanck Historical Preservation Consulting, 2022) and Historic Evaluation & Assessment (Archives & Architecture, 2016)
View two adaptive reuse studies from 2022 (TEF Design) and 2016 (Page & Turnbull)
Historic San Jose Movie Theaters
Location:
Citywide
Date:
Built 1920s-1960s
Architect:
Various
Threat:
Neglect, redevelopment
Three historic San José theater buildings remain stuck in development limbo despite strong public support for their reactivation and creative reuse. Designated a City Landmark and protected from demolition in 2014, the Century 21 Dome (3161 Olsen Drive) nevertheless remains empty and awaiting a promised adaptive reuse by Federal Realty, owners of the adjacent Santana Row. Another designated City Landmark, the Towne Theater (1433 The Alameda), has been vacant since 2019. Currently in bank foreclosure and suffering from deferred maintenance, City Lights Theater is hoping to take ownership and convert it for stage productions. The Burbank Theater (560 S. Bascom Avenue) also remains vacant and neglected; plans to replace everything but its tower and marquee with a five-story apartment complex appear stalled. Meanwhile, a coalition of arts advocates is exploring the feasibility of its conversion to a community art center.