Palace Theatre (Flames Central) news

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Palace Theatre (Flames Central) news

Postby newsposter » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:47 am

Latest update May 2009 - see bottom post
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Flames join project to create upscale entertainment venue

Nick Lewis and David Parker
Calgary Herald

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Mere days before the Calgary Flames are set to ignite another playoff run, the Herald has learned the hockey club is partnering with the Concorde Entertainment Group to open a restaurant, bar and entertainment facility on the site of the once-elegant Palace Theatre on Stephen Avenue.

The new facility, which will hold 1,200 patrons, is scheduled to open in August. It will bring the historic theatre back to life after sitting vacant for more than two years.

In a statement to be released today, Flames president and CEO Ken King talked about this being an exciting venture for Calgary's NHL franchise.

"While hockey remains our core competency, we are constantly seeking new opportunities in which to grow the Flames brand and allow our fans greater opportunities to enjoy hockey," King said.

"We believe establishing a location outside the Pengrowth Saddledome to share food, fun and hockey will bring our fans even closer to the team."

The multi-function site would have a semi-formal restaurant, as well as a sports bar featuring Calgary Flames memorabilia. It is also planned to host live concerts, Flames press conferences, special events and large corporate meetings.

The new venue does not yet have a name.

There is no official word on the cost of the conversion. But Victor Choy, owner of the Concorde Group, told the Herald last year that his company had planned to restore the Palace Theatre as a lounge, restaurant and conference area at a cost of $2 million.

"We're working hand in hand with the heritage board to ensure the design is keeping with the building's historical character," Choy told the Herald on June 29, 2005. "The heritage of this building is important to us."

The Palace Theatre, built in 1921, was commemorated as a national historic site in 1996, while Stephen Avenue became a national historic district in 2002. The theatre, once billed as one of the grandest in Western Canada, was the site of Premier William Aberhart's first public broadcast, on his way to forming the Social Credit party.

The Palace ran as a theatre house until Feb. 8, 1990, when it showed its last movie, Tango & Cash. It sat vacant until 1998, when the consortium Pharaoh's Group converted it into the Palace Night Club at a cost of $4 million. That club closed in February 2004, and the space has been vacant since.

Atlas Development Corp., the building's owner, had been negotiating with several prospective tenants before apparently awarding the lease to the Calgary Flames and Concorde Group.

"This entertainment facility will be unparalleled anywhere in North America due to the Flames brand and the Concorde Entertainment Group's expertise in the entertainment and food service industry," Concorde's Jim Choy said in a statement to be released today.

The Concorde Group's establishments include such clubs and bars as The Whiskey, Mercury Lounge, Bungalow, Mynt Ultralounge and Bass Bros. Beerhouse and Grill.

"Our organization looks forward to partnering with Victor and Jim Choy," King said in the same release. "Their experience and expertise provide complete confidence that our brand will be treated with respect and provide a new and exciting way for Flames fans and sports fans in general to get into the game."

Meg Van Rosendaal, manager of the Olympic Plaza Cultural District, said the restoration of the historic facility will help increase the vibrancy of the Stephen Avenue downtown core.

"The Palace Theatre has always been a source of pride for Calgarians, so it's wonderful to see it return to a venue Calgarians can continue to brag about," she said.

nlewis@theherald.canwest.com

The Palace Theatre

- When it opened on Oct. 24, 1921, the Palace was named "most beautiful in Western Canada." Nelson Eddy, Ethel Barrymore, Victor Borge and Lena Horne played the theatre.

- In 1925, William Aberhart made his first Back to the Bible broadcast from the theatre's stage.

- The last movie shown at the Palace, in February 1990, was the easily forgotten Tango & Cash.

- The Palace was used as a movie set for the Oscar-winning Legends of the Fall, starring Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt.

Source: Herald Archive
© The Calgary Herald 2006

_____________________________________________________

More info on the Palace Theatre:
http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/calgary ... ner/pt.htm

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Flames News Release
Date: April 20, 2006

Flames to open entertainment facility in downtown Calgary
Calgary, AB – The Calgary Flames Hockey Club and The Concorde Entertainment Group, Victor and Jim Choy, announced a venture to open a world class restaurant, bar and hybrid entertainment facility in the heart of downtown Calgary.

“This is a very exciting venture for us,” said Flames President & CEO Ken King. “While hockey remains our core competency, we are constantly seeking new opportunities in which to grow the Flames brand and allow our fans greater opportunities to enjoy hockey. We believe establishing a location outside of the Pengrowth Saddledome to share food, fun and hockey will bring our fans even closer to the team.”

The selected site is the former Palace Theatre located on Stephen Avenue. The multi-function venue contains layers of entertainment including a restaurant providing a semi-formal dining experience, a modern day version of a sports bar that will provide hockey fans with an opportunity to enjoy the history of the Calgary Flames through original memorabilia, state of the art technology and innovative modern design layered in a historic setting.

In addition, the multi-functional venue will be capable of hosting live concerts, Flames press conferences, special events, large corporate meetings and conferences. A capacity of 1,200 permits the option of large gatherings as well as the availability of private function rooms.


“The Calgary Flames are an icon in our city with much more to offer by bringing the team and all sporting events to the public in a great new entertainment facility,” said Victor Choy.

“This entertainment facility will be unparalleled anywhere in North America due to the Flames brand and the Concorde Entertainment Group’s expertise in the entertainment and food service industry,” said Jim Choy.

The Concorde Entertainment Groups establishments include The Whiskey, Mercury Lounge, Bungalow, ei8ht Restaurant, Mynt Ultralounge, Bass Bros. Beerhouse and Grill and are partners in The Vintage Chophouse.

“Our organization looks forward to partnering with Victor and Jim Choy. Their experience and expertise provide complete confidence that our brand will be treated with respect and provide a new and exciting way for Flames fans and sports fans in general to get into the game”, said King.

As the Flames begin their 2006 NHL Playoffs, construction continues with an expected grand opening date of August 2006.
Last edited by newsposter on Mon May 25, 2009 3:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby newsposter » Sat Mar 03, 2007 5:28 pm

After some delay, the historic Palace Theatre on Stephen Avenue is to open as 'Flames Central and Wildfire Grill' by the end of March. It will also serve as a special event facility, conference centre and concert hall.

http://www.flamescentral.com/

News story (pay as of this posting)
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/new ... 130070ec3b

Excerpt:

...The facility, which will accommodate up to 1,200 patrons, was set to open last August, but construction problems forced the delay.

The Palace Theatre, built in 1921, was commemorated as a national historic site in 1996. The theatre, once billed as one of the grandest in Western Canada, was the site of Premier William Aberhart's first public broadcast, on his way to forming the Social Credit party.

The Palace ran as a movie house until Feb. 8, 1990, when it showed its last film, Tango & Cash. It sat vacant until 1998, when Pharaoh's Group converted it into the Palace Night Club at a cost of $4 million. That club closed in February 2004, and the space has been vacant since.
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Postby newsposter » Sun Apr 15, 2007 7:00 pm

Good story about 'Flames Central' in the historic Palace Theatre in Swerve magazine:

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/new ... 6b8362c09d
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Postby newsposter » Mon May 25, 2009 3:34 pm

The Palace Theatre marquee at "Flames Central" is being restored to a more authentic look. Full story (May 7, 2009):

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Sports/Fla ... story.html
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