Odeon - Lisbon

The Cinema Odeon was a jewel of Lisbon's golden age of cinema. Inaugurated on September 21, 1927, it is recognized as the city's most emblematic cinema, featuring distinctive Art Deco elements such as a pediment on the stage, a Venetian wood ceiling, a neon chandelier, and a suspended side box. Known simply as "the Theatre" of its time, it was frequented by the elite and celebrated for its glamour, and over the decades, audiences went there to watch films by directors such as Capra, Hitchcock, Eisenstein, Leone, and Ford. Its suspended side box is an architectural element unique among Lisbon's old cinemas — the only one in the city to feature this characteristic. After closing its doors in the early 1990s, the Odéon fell into a long decline. The old cinema sat vacant for over 20 years and reached a very advanced state of decay. Classified as a Building of Public Interest in 1996, it has shown visible signs of deterioration reflecting years of abandonment, but renovation aimed at preserving its original architectural elements, including the balconies, canopies, and the emblematic Art Deco pediment, was accomplished. The transformation envisioned luxury apartments and a restaurant in the Cinema hall, keeping the most iconic elements intact and ensuring the Cinema Odeon's cultural and architectural legacy endures for future generations.

Location

Lisbon, Portugal

Curatorial tags

Cinema, Odeon, Lisbon