ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

CINEMA THALIA

J.P.L. HENDRIKS, W. VAN DER SLUIJS, L.A. VAN DEN BOSCH, 1953-1955, Kruiskade 55, Rotterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
Jan Hendriks
Wim van der Sluijs
Lex van den Bosch

ARTIST:
Carel Kneulman

:
Barkema & Reijnen

ARTIST:
Jan van Keulen

BUILDING TYPE:
Cinemas and theatres
Reuse
Hotels, cafés, restaurants

STATE:
Barkema & Reijnen (ren. 2002)

The Thalia cinema was built in the mid-1950s for the Tuschinski movie theatre concern at the intersection of Kruiskade and the Lijnbaan shopping precinct. Its fan-shaped auditorium borders on one side of the Lijnbaan where it forms part of a row of shops. The billowing facade sports an ornamental concrete sculpture and an entrance marked by a glass vestibule. The interior seeks to recreate something of the eloquence of the pre-war Tuschinski theatres. When the cinemas on Kruiskade relocated to the multiplex on Schouwburgplein the Thalia building seemed destined for demolition. But in 2002 the auditorium and foyer re-emerged as the Thalia Lounge chill-out and dance club.