BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
TH-CBD 476 CBD BOSTON LANDMARKS COMMISSION Building Iaformation Form NR Fond.f1H-55 Area ADDRESS 263-265 Tremont coR. Seaver Place (alle NAME Sam S. Shubert Theatre/ same present original MAP No. 24N/12E SUB AREA Theatre building permit 4/28/1908 DATD 1908-1910* opening 1/24/1910 *present facade dates from (Photo) Crource: photos and Atlas) 373 ARCHITECTHill, James and Whitaker (permit) BUILDER W. H. Keyes & Ce (permit) source Shubert Organiza- Begun by Chas H. Bond tion Inc. OWNER Completed by Shubert / c/g H.2 Markowitz Holding co. present 244 W. 44th St. PHOTOGRAPHS 1 2/6,2/5.79 N.Y.,N.Y. 10036 Ward 5, Parcel #63 UTM#19/329820/4690500 TYPE (residential) single double row 2-fam. 3-deck ten apt. non-residential theatre and offices NO.
OF STORIES (Ist to cornice) 2 (equivalent te 3 in height) ROOF Flat cupola dormers MATERIALS (Frame) clapboards shingles stucco asphalt asbestos alum/vinyl (Other) brick stone limestoneconcrete iron/steel/alum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Symmetrical, classically-inspired 1925 theatre entrance featuring original 1910 wrought iron and glass marquee. Second story dominated by central Palladian-motif window with finely carved tympanum. Elevation terminated by modillion cornice and parapet with blind balustrade over center bay. EXTERIOR ALTERATION C1 minor moderate drastic t9ca faadechepased or alterati. CONDITIONgood fair poor NOTEWORTHY SITE CHARACTERISTICS to south. LOT AREA sq.
feet Rear facade on Warrenton St, parking lot (Map) 1880 (NRI) June, 1979 SIGNIFICANCE (cont'd on reverse)_ The Shubert is significant as a well-preserved example of the early 20th century Adamesque theatre interior and as the scene of many notable theatrical performances. Its marquee is important as the last of its kind in Boston.
The eclectic interior, inspired by the palace at Versaules and the Louis XIV, XV and XVI periods,accommodates 1500 and has been praised for its comfortable seats, coziness and "mellow richness." Lobby paintings after Boucher are by Henry Bodge DEC 9 1980 Moved; date if known Themes (check as many as applicable) Aboriginal Conservation Agricultural Education Architectural Exploration/ The Arts settlement Commerce 322002 Industry Communication Military Community/ PoLitical Recreation Religion Science/ invention Social/ humanitarian Transportation development Pennell,aiticaie tacseotinio ents cc invoived with interiors at the Wilbur, Colonia ana The principal architect, Thomas M. James (1875-1942) practiced with Clinton M. Hill before organizing; in 1909, his own architecture and engineering firm specializing in banks.
He also designed the Union-Warren Savings and present Post Office in the theatre area. In 1925 Tremont St. was widened by 20 ft. along the west side of the Shubert block, an action requiring demolition or alteration of all buildings on the Shubert side. oy the present limestone entrance, with original marquee: from 1910 re-erected. The Shubert was built for drama and opened with Shakespeare's "The Taming of sr" strring B. Sother and dullfto Marlow. Theatrical highpoints have included the iirst Boston periormances by,John n Gielgud:, Maurice Evans and SIr Lawrence Olivier and the 1917 performance by John Barrymore, one of the greatest 29th century Am. actors. The theatre was named for Sam S. Shubert, called "the founder of the indep- endent theatre movement," oldest of three Shubert brothers and the first to become involved in theatre management in the 1880's.
After Sam's death in a train wreak in 1905, his brothers Lee and Jacob went on to dominate legitimate theatre. in the 1st half of the 20th century, controlling at one time the Plymout] Copley, Majestic, Colonial, Wilbur and Béston Opera House as well as the Shubert Pesevatida Conlderation Cacessbe, PuseilY9e teshubette atter durinacienstruction by for public use and enjoyment, protection, utilities, context). Bond's untimely death Preservation Recommendations: National Register (individual listing) organization Current Status: Still operated by the Shubert as a legitimate theatre. Bibliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records, early maps, etc.) 2: Boston Herald, Jan 23, 1910, p. 17 (desc, of theatre) 2. Boston Globe, Jan. 23, 1910, p. 41 3. Broadway Down East by Elliot Norton, Boston 1978. (see photo of original facade, p. 23) 4.
Obituaries of Lee Shubert (12/25/1953) and Jacob Shubert (12/25/63) in New York Times 5. See Atlases of 1922 and 1928 for proof of street widening; also "Take Down" permits at City Hall Building Department 9. Major Bibliographical References See continuation sheets, Section 9 UTM NOT VERIFLD AOTEAGE NOT VER'FED 10. Geographical Data see individual and area forms Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name . Boston South UMT References A11,9 Zone Quadrangle scale 1"=25,000' 3|2,9/9 4 0/ Easting 4690/650l Northing LELLLI 1LLL Zone Easting LuLi Northing LILILL E G LILILLL HLiLLL LLILLL Verbal boundary description and justification The southern boundary of the Theatre Area starts at a oint on Washington St., 520' south of, the intersection of Kneeland & Washington. -From this point it uns due west along an arbitrary straight Tine to a point on Charles St. South 442' south of Stuart treet.
From thence it follows Charles St. South one block north to the intersection of Stuart St., List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By by name/title Candace Jenkins, Registration Director amea ostor Fox Landmarks Commission organization Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street date street & number telephone (617) 727-8470 city or town Boston, state MA 02108 12.
State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is national state local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forthoy the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature, atuahWeslonski 10/20/80 title date For HCAS use only I hereby certify-that this property is included in the National Register sure date 12/7/82 eeper of she National Register Attest: ratuck Adus Chief of Registration date 12/4/80 GPO 938 835 Propéerty basten Theatre Muttipl Resonce Auen State MA Suffolk TECHNICAL Working Number H. 7.
80, 2781 DUE 1/1/8/ CONTROL Photos Maps 13 This muttipte resounce area is significant for the quality d ts architectu HISTORIAN ndfoi its assoccalion with the development o the important soston music industu acept d glouth & the theater /moire house industey. Thedrstriets and individual brüldings chieved significanl between c. 1890and the /930s- contained inthis m.A.A. au Patrick Andus ignificant poups o lato 19thleay 20thcent- commercial brüldings, thecenter 1/4/80 'the muaic industry (especially piano manufacturing) and ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN pamples ofevery lind of theater that developod in Reston in this peried. This is a good multiple esource nomination -they hove included all the reguired categores genformalion.
ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER Inventory - Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2.2.87 Send-back Re-submit Entered UEC9 1980 United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service SHUEERT +THEATRE+ Shukert, sam5, Burkding Basten Theato MRA Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000272