The Cycle of Life and Rebirth at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre

Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, opened in 1922, predated the Chinese Theatre by 5 years and is arguably more significant. Vacant and damaged by the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, The American Cinematheque purchased the property and completed a rehabilitation in 1998, a project that was awarded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. From 2019 to 2023 Netflix planned and executed a major rehabilitation, a complete shell and systems upgrade while retaining and enhancing the historic architectural and character defining features: comprehensive structural strengthening of the non ductile concrete structure in response to the mandatory City of Los Angeles retrofit ordinance; structural and architectural upgrades in compliance with the California Historical Building Code; replacement of all building systems to current code and standards (including de-carbonization); repairs to deteriorated structural and architectural elements; weather proofing of the building exterior; restoration of all existing historic and character defining elements and features; removal of previous non-historic interior features; research based planning, careful with great care to expose and enhance the original architecture, elements and volumes; and installation of state of the art technology and cinema systems. This is a case study for planned reversibility, as additions from the 1998 project were removed with no adverse effect to historic elements. The original retail facade and courtyard storefronts are now restored and in use; the courtyard is open to the original configuration, intended for premiers and cinematic display; and the interior experience is now strikingly more similar to 1922 experience, as Grauman would have intended.