The Ritz Revival
Built in 1929, the Ritz Theatre in Corpus Christi was one of the largest in Texas at the time of its construction. Opening day was three months after the stock market crash and the start of the great depression. The Ritz soldiered on, providing an escape for Texans into a world of imagination for years. Today, the Ritz stands crumbling, forgotten, one of the last great movie palaces yet to be restored, and one of the few standing historic buildings in Corpus Christi. By reviving the Ritz Theatre, we gain a new, dynamic venue to stimulate the economy, inspire and support the creative class and provide an anchor business downtown. The Ritz will be an icon for hope and change and rebirth. It’s something everyone can be a part of and say, “I helped make that happen”.
The Ritz Theatre first opened its doors on Christmas Day in 1929. Over the years, the Ritz has been a rich source of culture and entertainment for Corpus Christi. The beautiful Spanish Renaissance arena has showcased films, plays, and some of the biggest names in music like Bruce Springsteen & Metallica.
But the theatre is in desperate need of your help! Today, the Ritz one of the last great movie theatres yet to be restored, and one of the few remaining historic buildings in Corpus Christi. With your support we can revive this beautiful historic monument and bring arts and culture back into our city.
Ritz Now
Ritz Restored
Your support will be a vital part of bringing this grand landmark, and hub of culture and creativity, back to our city
Frequently Asked Questions:
When will The Ritz restoration project be done?
We expect the fundraising to take at least two years and then construction will take approximately 18 months. The Ritz could potentially open the doors within 3 years.
How many people will the revived Ritz Seat?
Approximately 800–900. We will be installing larger seats throughout the theatre and expanding the projection booth to house state-of-the art sound and recording equipment, as well as adding a VIP area, which will reduce the balcony capacity.
How much is it going to cost and why does it cost so much?
CCPATCH will be completing a full-scale rehabilitation on The Ritz, taking it back to what it looked like in 1929, plus adding state-of-the-art equipment. This project is huge and we are estimating costs now. Theatres are one of the most complex building types constructed with elements and requirements that exist in no other building type. They are architectural puzzles with complex systems and equipment, rigid functional requirements and strong architectural character. The structure, mechanical systems, sound, lighting, rigging, seating, detail and finishes, all lead to huge costs. Not to mention new plumbing, electrical and HVAC. There are also soft costs that are required by all the professionals we need to complete the project such as consultants, architects, engineers, lawyers, etc. But even after all these costs, The Ritz Revival will still cost less than creating a new Ritz from scratch.
Who will benefit from a restored Ritz Theatre?
EVERYONE! From kids to adults, there will always be something going on at The Ritz. Arts and Entertainment groups will find a new home in The Ritz Theatre. Visitors will be excited by a revived, intimate venue for plays, music, comedy, and more. We hope to feature vintage cartoons on Saturdays, a Sunday gospel brunch, and many educational programs including ongoing classes, internships and specialty workshops. Tell us what you might like to see in The Ritz!
