Coolidge Corner Theatre Edges Closer To Expansion

BROOKLINE, MA — What do Johnny Depp, Jane Fonda and Werner Herzog have all walked through the Coolidge Corner Theatre lobby, along the worn carpet into the main theatre, where the echos of cinematic history has gone before them. Now the icon that houses that history is about to get a makeover.

After years of discussion, those behind the theater are closer to making the project a reality.

Thursday night the Brookline planning board is set to review and finalize plans and make a recommendation on Coolidge Corner Theater addition.

Howeler and Yoon Architecture submitted a community impact statement earlier this summer that outlined a plan, one that went to town meeting in 2013 and got approval, to add three stories that would expand the Art Deco theater and community landmark, while retaining its history.

The plan calls for adding two theaters and a ground floor lobby as well as other educational, event and meeting spaces. The top floor will handle a community room and a small theater. The renovation will add an archive, library and meeting room on the second floor, two.

Originally a Universalist church in 1906, it was redesigned in 1933 as an Art Deco movie palace, Brookline's first movie theatre, according to town documents. At first the movie palace had one screen. Later it was divided into two and additional theaters were added.

It's unclear when the work would start.

The theatre, which depends on subscriptions and donations in addition to ticket revenue, has been closed amid pandemic. It's hosted special screenings at area drive-thrus, but no word on when it may be able to reopen.

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