12) Lucas Theatre
32 Abercorn Street (Reynolds Square)
(912) 525-5040
The Lucas Theatre opened in December 1921 and was built primarily as a movie palace with a seating capacity of 1200 seats. The theater also incorporated a stage for road shows. For the next 40 years the Lucas Theatre became a favorite venue for talkies, musicals, traveling troupes, revues and theatricals. It was the first building in Savannah to install air conditioning in 1923.
The Lucas Theatre closed in 1976 and was slated for demolition. In 1986 the owners obtained a demolition permit and made arrangements to turn the once-thriving Lucas Theatre into a parking garage. A group of concerned citizens pooled their resources and bought the building and created the Lucas Theatre for the Arts Inc. They began a 14-year campaign and completed a $14 million restoration and the Lucas Theatre's grand reopening was in December 2000.
Time to spend: 1 - 2 hours
Tours:
Guided tours of the Lucas Theatre are available most days.
Free self-guided tours are available Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00a – 4:00p.
