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The Loew's Jersey Theatre is a theater in Jersey City, New Jersey. Opened in 1929, it was one of the five Loew's Wonder Theatres, a series of flagship Loew's movie palaces in the New York City area. It was designed by the architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp in a Baroque/Rococo style. It was purchased by the city in 1993 and has been operated by a volunteer organization, the Friends of the Loews, since that time.[2] The theater was designated as a New Jersey Registered Historic Site in 2009.[3] In a move opposed by Friends of the Loews, the city in June 2014, agreed to let AEG Live operate the venue.[4][5][6] After going to court, the lease by Friends of the Loews remains in effect.[7] In 2022, a $72 million restoration project was started by Devils Arena Entertainment, a division of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment that operates the Prudential Center, with completion being expected by 2025.[8][9]
 Facade seen from across Journal Square July 1, 2006 | |
 | |
| Address | 54 Journal Square Jersey City, New Jersey United States |
|---|---|
| Public transit | Journal Square Transportation Center |
| Owner | Jersey City |
| Operator | Devils Arena Entertainment |
| Type | Movie palace |
| Capacity | 3,021[1] |
| Current use | Revival house films and performing arts center |
| Construction | |
| Opened | September 28, 1929 |
| Architect | Rapp and Rapp |
| Website | |
| loewsjersey | |
Loew's Jersey Theatre | |
| Location | 54 Journal Square, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40.7322°N 74.0645°W |
| Architectural style | Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals; Baroque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 100007648 |
| Added to NRHP | April 25, 2022 |
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The cost of construction in 1929 was $2 million.[10] The capacity of the theatre on opening day was 3,021 patrons.[1]
The theater was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on August 15, 1985.[3] It also received a Determination of Eligibility from the National Register of Historic Places on October 17, 1985, but was not listed due to an objection by the owner.[11] It was subsequently listed on the National Register in 2022.[12]
The theatre closed in August 1986. The final film shown was Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. The Loew's Corporation sold the theatre to Hartz Mountain, who announced plans to demolish the theatre and build a new structure on the site.[13]
Volunteers began restoration of the theatre once it had been acquired by the city of Jersey City, to prevent it from being demolished.[14] The Garden State Theatre Organ Society acquired a sister pipe organ to the missing Loew's Jersey pipe organ, originally installed at the Loew's Paradise theatre, and began the installation and restoration of the organ.[15] In 2024, workers removed the original marquee and replaced it with a digital sign.[16]
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The Loew's Jersey is a popular venue for film and photography shoots. The lobby of the Loew's Jersey was the disco in the film The Last Days of Disco and was featured in a 2007 Geico commercial featuring their gecko character.[17]
In February 2011 the band The Strokes shot a music video for the single "Under Cover of Darkness" off of their 2011 album Angles at the Loew's Jersey Theatre, featuring the main lobby, promenade, and stage.[18]
The theater is a popular venue for fundraising, corporate events, and weddings.[19][20][21]
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