Fox Theatre (San Francisco)

The Fox Theatre in San Francisco, also known as the Fox Theatre San Francisco and the San Francisco Fox, was a grand movie palace located at Market Street and Seventh Street in San Francisco, California. Opened in 1929 and demolished in 1963, it was considered one of the largest and most lavish movie theaters ever built.

Designed by Thomas H. Lamb in a Moorish and Spanish Colonial Revival style, the Fox Theatre boasted over 4,600 seats and featured a massive Wurlitzer organ. Its opulent interior included ornate plasterwork, towering columns, and intricate murals. The theatre hosted movie premieres, live performances, and stage shows, attracting audiences from throughout the Bay Area.

Despite its popularity and architectural significance, the Fox Theatre fell victim to declining attendance and rising operating costs in the mid-20th century. Its demolition in 1963 was met with public outcry and is now considered a significant loss to San Francisco's architectural heritage. The site is now occupied by a high-rise apartment building. The demolition contributed to the growing historic preservation movement in San Francisco. While no physical trace of the theatre remains, its legacy lives on through photographs, historical accounts, and the memories of those who experienced its grandeur.