The Athens Theatre — 1922 Gem, 2009 Renaissance
Quick answer: The Athens Theatre in downtown DeLand is a 1922 Italian Renaissance–style theatre designed by Orlando architect Murray S. King. It opened January 6, 1922, closed in 1975, and reopened in 2009 after a $10-million restoration led by MainStreet DeLand.
Location
Address: 124 N Florida Ave, DeLand, FL 32720Box office: Tue–Fri 10a–6p
Get directions on Google Maps
"Florida's Handsomest Theatre"
On the eve of the opening, January 5, 1922, the DeLand Daily News declared the Athens to be "Florida's Handsomest Theatre" and "a gem of architecture."[S27]
Opening night
A program of a movie, live theatre performance, and several vaudeville acts — a mix that defined the theatre's early decades [S27].
Why it's called the Athens
The theatre's name was derived from Henry A. DeLand's vision of the city as the "Athens of Florida" [S27].
About the Athens of FloridaThe 1993–2009 restoration
- 1993: MainStreet DeLand Association spearheads a restoration campaign [S27].
- December 1994: MainStreet purchases the theatre with a Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation matching grant [S27].
- 2009: After 15 years and $10 million, the theatre reopens on its 87th birthday [S27].
Frequently asked questions
- When did the Athens Theatre open?
- January 6, 1922. [S27]
- Who designed the Athens Theatre?
- Orlando architect Murray S. King, in 1921. [S27]
- When was it restored?
- After closing in 1975, it underwent a $10 million restoration from 1994 to 2009 led by MainStreet DeLand, reopening January 6, 2009. [S27]
- Why is it called the "Athens"?
- It references Henry A. DeLand's nickname for the city — the "Athens of Florida." [S27]