The Fox California Theatre, formally known
as the California, is located on South First Street near San Carlos Street.
Fox-West Coast Theatres built it in 1927. On opening day, it was it was called
the finest theatre in California. The architectural firm of Weeks and Day
designed the 1700-seat theatre that is one of the best-preserved examples of
late 1920's motion picture designs left in the country. The Fox Theatre was
sold by National General Theatres, Inc. in September 1971, to San Jose Theatre
Associates, a limited partnership. At that time the City of San Jose placed a
value of $190,000 on the theatre. The theatre was purchased for $2 million in
1985 from Argentine investor Jose Borges. The building remained vacant and continued
to decay until August 2000 when the transformation of the film house commenced
with the demolition of the small parking garage along Market Street adjacent to
the theatre.