Dates
in Use: 1876
to 1937
Location: Broad and Locust
Major Renovations:
Architect(s): Frank H. Loenholdt
Alternate Names: Kiralfy's Alhambra Palace
Originally built for Philadelphia's Centennial Exposition in 1876, the Broad Street Theater was one of Philadelphia's most colorful architectural oddities for the half-century it was in use. Located across from the Academy of Music, the theater was first used for spectacular productions containing hundreds of dancing girls and animals. In its later years it was a popular venue for spoken drama with Philadelphia's upper classes.