Rialto Theater (Loveland, Colorado) Explained

Rialto Theater
Nrhp Type:cp
Coordinates:40.3953°N -105.0733°W
Built:1919
Architect:A. Danielson
Architecture:Classical Revival
Added:February 17, 1988
Area:0.2acres
Partof:Downtown Loveland Historic District
Partof Refnum:15000281
Designated Nrhp Type:June 1, 2015
Refnum:87002213

The Rialto Theater in Loveland, Colorado, at 228-230 E. Fourth Ave., was built in 1919. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

It has a three-bay Classical Revival front covered with glazed terra cotta blocks, of a NaNfeet footprint. The two-story commercial block building has a flat roof and brick party and rear walls.[1]

It was deemed significant as "one of the city's most architecturally refined buildings": although "it is not an especially exuberant or palatial example of early 20th century movie theater architecture, the Rialto is well proportioned and well articulated. It well represents Loveland building trends as well as national motion picture theater trends for the period. The Rialto is one of the last main street theatres in northern Colorado with any remaining architectural integrity. The marquee replacement and the most recent alterations have compromised the Rialto visually, but the building still retains a high degree of integrity of location, setting and association...."[1]

Modifications to the theater have tended to contribute to, rather than detract from, its architectural character.[2]

It is also a contributing building in the Downtown Loveland Historic District, which was added to the National Register in 2015.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=87002213}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Rialto Theater ]. National Park Service. Clayton B. Fraser . July 6, 1987 . May 31, 2021. With
  2. Web site: Rialto Theater (Loveland). . May 31, 2021.