Demolition reveals the interior of the long-closed 4th Avenue Theatre

Ongoing demolition of the 4th Avenue Theatre recently reached the point at which the interior of the long boarded-up movie house is visible, a sight that captured the attention of many passersby in downtown Anchorage Monday.

The facade of the structure is now completely removed in the teardown project that began in August. What appears to be a movie projection screen still hangs front and center in the main auditorium, framed by gold and copper woodwork. Bas-relief murals appear to have been removed.

On Monday afternoon, the demolition crew began work one tearing down the top-floor offices at the structure’s west side.

The building’s removal is part of Peach Holdings’ redevelopment of nearly all the buildings on 4th and 5th Avenues between G and F Streets as part of a redevelopment project that city officials have said would include a hotel, housing, office space, retail and entertainment venues. The building’s owners have deemed the theater too expensive to restore. Many residents have mourned the loss of the art deco structure, built in the 1940s.

Earlier coverage:

A developer is again planning a major new construction project for a downtown Anchorage block. It includes demolition of the 4th Avenue Theatre.