The Historic Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis: A Technological Palace of Moving Pictures and Air Conditioning

240 Collinsville Ave. East Saint Louis, IL. 62201

The Majestic Theatre, located at 240 Collinsville Ave. in East St. Louis, Illinois, stands as a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the city's once-vibrant cultural past. Designed in the Spanish Gothic style by the nationally prominent architects Boller Brothers, it was once nicknamed "The Million Dollar Theatre" for its opulent construction.

I explored this building on April 9th, 2024, during a trip to St. Louis to see the total lunar eclipse. The building was hauntingly beautiful, even in its severely decayed state. Despite the missing windows, crumbling walls, and a collapsed theatre roof, the sight of plants growing through the floor created a surreal atmosphere of a world reclaimed by nature.

Early History and Architectural Splendor (1928–1950s)

The current Majestic Theatre opened its doors on February 26, 1928, replacing an earlier 1907 theatre on the same site that had burned down the previous year. Built for Harry Redmon and Fred Leber at a staggering cost for the era, the 1,743-seat venue was a true movie palace. Its exterior featured multicolored patterned mosaics, piers with decorative peaks, and tall arched windows.
The interior was equally groundbreaking:
~ Technological Pioneer: It was the first theatre in East St. Louis to feature modern air conditioning.
~ Talking Pictures: In September 1928, it became one of the first in the region to install a Vitaphone system for synchronized dialogue in films.
~ Grand Openings: The debut featured performances by vaudeville legends Al Jolson and George Jessel. For decades, the Majestic was a premier entertainment destination.
In 1954, it was updated with a curved Cinemascope screen to accommodate the widescreen epics of the era.

Decline and Closure (1960)

The theatre's decline mirrored that of East St. Louis itself, which suffered from deindustrialization and population loss starting in the 1950s. Declining ticket sales and high operating costs forced the Majestic to close permanently in 1960. Following its closure, the building's furnishings, including its ornamental fixtures and seating, were auctioned off or removed. Its famed Wurlitzer organ was relocated and now serves as the lobby organ at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis.

Alternative Uses and Abandonment

After serving briefly as a warehouse and a recording studio, the building was left to the elements. Although it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 9, 1985, little was done to maintain its structural integrity.
By the late 20th century, the site was severely abandoned:
~ Structural Failure: The roof above the stage eventually collapsed, and the stage itself has since rotted away.
~ Natural Reclamation: Small trees and large weeds are famously visible growing out of the theatre's facade.
~ Internal Decay: The interior is mostly gutted and pitch black, with light only entering through holes in the roof. Despite this, several small retail outlets continued to operate in the building's street-level storefronts for years after the theatre itself went dark.

Current Restoration Efforts: A Chance Encounter (2024–2026)

After decades of "benign neglect," there is a renewed push to save the Majestic. Under the leadership of Dr. Monica R. Butler, a revitalization project is currently underway through "The Historic Majestic Theatre" organization.

While I was exploring the building, I actually ran into Dr. Butler. My husband had been waiting outside for me, and as he was walking away from the building, Dr. Butler pulled up. She questioned who he was, and he informed her that he was the husband of a photojournalist inside documenting the current state of the building. She proceeded inside to find me - and I must say, I was caught completely off guard hearing a woman call my name in that silence. Upon finding the source of the voice, I was even more shocked to see her elegant style amidst the chaos of this abandoned building. She offered a warm introduction, noting she was the owner of the building.
~ Revitalization Mission: The goal is to restore the landmark's historical beauty while transforming it into a modern hub for live performances, community events, production classes, and venue rentals.
~ Recent Activity: In October 2024, the City of East St. Louis and project leaders hosted a community volunteer event for clean-up and painting efforts to stabilize the site.
~ Progress Reports: As of March 2025, the city has included the theatre in its broader "Progress As Promised" economic development highlights, indicating that the restoration remains a high-profile priority for local leadership.
Meeting Dr. Butler was an absolute pleasure. She welcomed me to tour and document another building she owns, so after finishing up at the Majestic, we proceeded on to a second location. I'm excited to share that story in another upcoming article...

So please enjoy looking through my photos. The only way I know to protect these buildings is to remind people they even exist.

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