It was Queen Victoria who named British Columbia’s first capital city “New Westminster” - over 150 years ago.
By 1900, the “Royal City, on the north side of the Fraser River, was the biggest in Western Canada, and the commercial hub of BC’s Lower Mainland.
In the Roaring 20’s, New Westminster was a dizzy whirl. Movies and vaudevillle were all the rage, and Famous Players built the Columbia Theatre in the centre of all the action on Columbia Street.
Curtain Up!
The Columbia Theatre opened with great fanfare on November 3, 1927.
Its design featured the imaginitive ornamentation of Hollywood-inspired local movie palaces. The front of the theatre featured six pairs of twisted terra cotta Moorish columns extending from the sidewalk to above the parapet.
Inside – murals of romantic Mediterranean scenery and wrought iron trellises created the atmosphere of an exotic walled garden.
The "Golden Mile"
The theatre became a significant feature of the thriving business community on Columbia Street which, in the 1940's, was known as "The Golden Mile".
When Highway 1 opened in the mid-60s, Columbia was bypassed as the main route from Vancouver to the Fraser Valley. The movie market was declining with new competition from television, and theatres downsized to form smaller venues.
Famous Players twinned their New Westminster theatre in 1976, and called it “Columbia Cinemas” – but to no avail. The theatre closed in the mid-1980’s.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles bought the building in 1987 for meetings and events but couldn’t sustain it, so the city took it over in the year 2000.
The Burr Theatre
The historic building was renamed the “Burr Theatre” in honour of actor Raymond Burr, who was born and raised in the Royal City. For a short time live shows were presented by the Raymond Burr Performing Arts Society.
The building was officially declared a heritage property in 2001, and some work began to uncover some of the original murals and other design components, but funding was not available. In 2009 the city invited proposals to purchase the theatre. Barry Buckland, owner of Lafflines Comedy Club, took possession in 2011.
Restoration has continued, and the main theatre has been converted to a cabaret format with table groupings on four levels. The stage has been moved back to its original position, allowing seating for 300 people. Upstairs, the second theatre has been converted to a show lounge for stage presentations and private functions.
So a new chapter in the life of the Columbia Theatre is just starting, and it promises to be an exciting one. Located in the centre of New Westminster's revitalization program which includes the new River Market, Westminster Pier Park, Plaza 88, and the new multi-use Civic Centre, The Columbia is doing its part to bring back the "Golden Mile".
The time has come. Partnership and other business opportunities are now available, and we invite you to join us in this exciting adventure!