Opened as Loew’s Akron Theatre on April 20, 1929 with “The Voice of the City” on the screen and Loew’s Vaudeville on stage, the Atmospheric styled and opulent theatre was designed by architect John Eberson. Integrating Moorish and Mediterranean design, the Civic Theatre is one of the largest Atmospheric style theatres still in existence.
The restored grand lobby is the star attraction of the restoration efforts with its grand staircase, chandeliers, Italianesque statues, murals and other decorative details throughout. Done in a Moorish architectural style, the space was designed to emulate an outdoor garden. Many layers of paint were measured with a Tooke gauge to determine the original colors of the walls and ceiling. In some places there were 20 layers and in other places about six layers. The plaster was first repaired where needed, then a background coating applied to get a solid color; finally, the stucco was glazed and a clear coat was applied.