Cinema Art Theatre

The Art Theater, located on Arbat Square in Moscow, is one of the few cinemas in the world that have more than a century of history. The hall was built in 1909 by the architect N.N. Blagoveshchensky for only 400 people. However, there were so many people who wanted to get acquainted with the new art form that a few years later the building was rebuilt according to the project of architect F.O. Shechtel in the spirit and style of the new time. The cinema seated about 900 spectators, although at that time the theaters, designed for 700 people, were considered the largest.

The cinema itself belonged to Albert Ludwigovich Brocks, bringing unprecedented profits to its owner. The first session took place on November 11, 1909 with the Paris drama Georgette. The institution was considered one of the most fashionable in the city. The building always displayed huge bright posters and the first garlands with colored electric light bulbs on the facade. At the entrance were equipped with foyers and dressing rooms. Before the session, artists and musicians performed on the stage. The auditorium of the Art Hall was the first, which was not inferior in luxury and popularity to theatrical scenes. It had rows of comfortable soft chairs, lodges with heavy velvet curtains and a gallery at the very top on the balcony.