In the heart of Downtown Hamilton Ontario, this incredible theatre has sat abandoned since 2004!
Known as Tivoli Theatre, the building holds a very long history! Originally built in 1875 as a carriage factory and turned into a small storefront nickelodeon theatre in 1905. After a few name changes (Wonderland Theatre (1907), Colonial Theatre (1908), Princess Theatre (1911), it was named Tivoli Theatre in 1924 and was used as a combination vaudeville and motion picture theatre. Showcasing Italian Renaissance architectural styles and ornate interiors like an elliptical ceiling, decorative moulding, and bronze statues.
It ended up being owned by the Famous Players Corporation several times and the theatre also shifted programming several times. Including adult films in the 1970s, before closing as a movie house in 1989.
Looking at it from the outside today, very few could have guessed what was inside.
This is actually just a small portion of the building, about three quarters of the building was demolished in 2004, when a major roof collapse happened. I found these old photos online of what it looked like.
I have explored the building in the past, @terrywayne/abandoned-vaudeville-theatre but out of nowhere the current owner began demolition of the last section of the building. No demolition permits, no work permits or anything. So the city caught it right away and forced them to stop.
Leaving a huge hole in a wall and a perfect access point to explore it one last time!
Once inside, I went to what was the projection rooms at one point. On a small second floor behind the seats.
Then into the incredible theatre room! (while taking the first shot, I got startled when multiple squatters started to make sounds. They were sleeping under the stage and after telling them I was just doing photos they went quiet again)
Shooting from the stage, looking at the seats. Proved to be nearly impossible! A very dark room with a huge light source right in the middle.
I moved on to a side hallway that used to connect the theatre to the rest of the building, then the basement.
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I am so thankful that we got to check this old theatre out one last time! The city halted demolition but that really just seems like it is prolonging the inevitable. The building has been left to decay, to the point of nearly no return and is now sitting with a big gaping hole. It is only a matter of a short time, that it will be gone forever.