Bexley Drexel
Historic Theaters
CASE Studies
Current Name of Theater: Drexel
Current Type: cinema
Seats: 730+
Website: www.drexel.net
Historic Names of Theater: Drexel
Address: 2254 E. Main St., Columbus, Ohio 43209
Contact Info:
Email: info@drexel.net
Year Built: 1937
Original Architect: Robert R. Royce
Original Cost:
Listed on National Register: yes
History of Theater: The building that currently houses the Drexel Theatre was originally built as a grocery store around 1900. In 1937, work began to convert the storefront into a theater and local architect Robert R. Royce worked to design the new theater in the art deco style. The theater opened on Christmas Day of that year and the first film shown was One Mile From Heaven with Claire Treavor. When it opened, there was one theater that could hold up to 730 people. The front section of the original auditorium still remains and still has the original Art Deco style decor.
Renovation Story:
In 1959, Bexley resident Jerome C. Knight bought the theater. When Fiddler on the Roof came out in the early 1970s, it played the Drexel Theatre for 44 weeks. In 1981, Jeff and Kathy Frank bought the theater. They closed it for a month to restore some of the art deco charm, and then reopened the theater on October 27, 1981. The 1935 film Top Hat was shown. The Franks brought film star Ginger Rogers to Bexley to introduce the film and be the guest of honor at a black-tie gala. In 1991, the Franks converted the Drexel’s 730 seat theater into three smaller theaters with a capacity of 320, 130, and 110. This allowed them to offer a greater number of films and more diverse selections for their customers. The move paid off and by April of 1992 the Drexel had doubled its attendance.
Since the Franks took over the theater in 1981, the Drexel has concentrated on showing independent art house films which, until recently, did not usually play at the multiplexes around Columbus. This move has not been without controversy, though. When The Last Temptation of Christ was released in 1988, 250 people showed up to protest the movie on opening night. During the economic downturn of 2009, a non-profit organization called the Friends of the Drexel was formed, and in 2011 this group bought the Drexel and converted the theater from a for-profit business into a non-profit organization. At this time, they also entered into an agreement with CAPA to manage the theater on their behalf. The Drexel continues to be a Main Street Landmark.
Proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Drexel, Columbus’ non-profit, 1930s Art Deco cinema, will begin renovation of the theatre’s iconic marquee, entrance, and lobby in an anticipated 12-week project helmed by M+A Architects and Elford Construction. As such, the Drexel will close to the public beginning March 14.
Marquee/Outdoor Work
Thanks to a grant from the Bexley Community Foundation, the Drexel’s iconic marquee will be restored to its original Art Deco splendor. Work will include replacement of the existing neon tubing, removal of the existing false ceiling beneath the marquee, and rehabilitation of its original ceiling. New lighting will be added beneath the marquee, and colored lights will be reinstalled behind the glass block.
In keeping with tradition, signage for films and coming attractions will use the same manual lettering. The entry doors will be replaced with new doors based on the building’s original design.
In 2012, Friends of the Drexel replaced the barrel roof above the three theatres to protect the integrity of the structure. In this phase of renovation, the roof over the lobby portion of the building will be replaced.
Entry Lobby
The entry lobby will be beautified and the original terrazzo flooring will be restored. Damage to the walls and ceiling will be repaired and repainted, retaining the original ceiling design.
Main Lobby
New carpet with an Art Deco design will be laid in the main lobby, and the existing, non-original concessions counter will be removed. A new, full-service concessions counter, complimentary to the Art Deco design, will be installed, and its dropped ceiling area will be replaced and restored to its original height. The plaster crown molding will also be restored. New wall sconces will be installed. The enclosure to the second-floor stairway, added in the 1990s, will be removed and the area restored to its original appearance.
Final Phase of Renovation
Friends of the Drexel, in conjunction with the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), is currently fundraising to secure the remaining capital needed to fund the final phase of renovation. The final phase will include new seating, flooring, and wall coverings in the Drexel’s three theatres and installation of special staging, lighting, and sound for community events in the large theatre.
Completed Work to Date
The upcoming renovations are in addition to work already completed by Friends of the Drexel including newly constructed men’s and women’s restroom facilities, replacement of the barrel roof over the three theatres, replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, conversion of all three theatres to state-of-the-art digital projection and sound, and installation of a high-tech, closed captioning system for hearing-impaired patrons.
“When Friends of the Drexel acquired the theatre five years ago, and hired CAPA to run it, we said our work wouldn’t be done until we turned it around financially and restored this cultural jewel to its Art Deco splendor,” stated Richard Stoff, Chairman of the Friends of the Drexel Board. “We’re about to realize our vision with gifts from the Lazarus, Crane, and Jeffrey families, as well as hundreds of other citizens, and generous support from the Bexley Community Foundation, Franklin County, City of Bexley, and the State of Ohio.”
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