United States



Atlanta



Fox Theatre





 

Summary The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, originally built in 1928 as a Shriners temple, is a landmark of Moorish and Egyptian Revival architecture that was transformed into a lavish movie palace by William Fox and opened on Christmas Day 1929. Its exterior features onion domes, minarets, and terra cotta detailing, while the interior evokes an Arabian courtyard under a starry sky, complete with twinkling crystal lights and drifting clouds. Despite financial struggles during the Great Depression and a near-demolition in the 1970s, the theatre was saved by a grassroots campaign and now operates as a nonprofit venue hosting over 250 events annually. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark, the Fox remains a cultural and architectural icon in Midtown Atlanta.

The Fox Theatre was originally conceived in 1928 as a grand headquarters for the city’s Shriners organization (a fraternal organization established in 1870 as an offshoot of Freemasonry who were originally called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine).

 

The design drew inspiration from Spain’s Alhambra and Egypt’s Temple of Karnak, resulting in a building that combined Moorish Revival and Egyptian Revival styles.  Although the Shriners still exist as an active fraternal organization - now known as Shriners International - they no longer meet at the Fox Theatre.

Due to the high cost of construction, the Shriners leased the building to William Fox, founder of the Fox Film Corporation. Under his direction, the venue was converted into a movie palace and officially opened with a screening of Disney’s Steamboat Willie.

The theatre quickly became a popular venue for films, opera, and live performances. However, the Great Depression led to financial difficulties, and the Fox Theatre declared bankruptcy in 1932. Despite this, the theatre continued operating for several decades.

By the 1970s, the building had fallen into disrepair and was scheduled for demolition. In 1974, local citizens formed Atlanta Landmarks and launched the “Save The Fox” campaign, raising $3 million through community donations. The theatre was successfully restored and reopened in 1975.

Today, the Fox Theatre is operated by the nonprofit Fox Theatre, Inc., and hosts over 250 performances annually, including Broadway shows, concerts, and private events. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.

Designed as a Moorish-Egyptian fantasy palace, blending exotic architectural styles to serve both ceremonial and entertainment purposes. The exterior; auditorium; Grand Salon, and lounges are designed in Islamic architectural style while the Egyptian Ballroom and select mezzanine lounges display Egyptian architecture. The buildings that provided the Inspiration were the Alhambra in Spain and the Temple of Karnak, in Egypt.

Construction of the Fox Theatre began in 1928, as a headquarters for the Shriners and was designed by Olivier J. Vinour of the firm Marye, Alger and Vinour.  The actual construction was carried out by the Henderson Construction Company, a prominent Atlanta-based firm at the time. As costs escalated beyond the Shriners’ budget, they leased the unfinished building to William Fox, founder of the Fox Film Corporation, who completed it as a movie palace. The theatre officially opened on December 25, 1929, just months after the stock market crash, marking both a cultural milestone and a financial gamble during the onset of the Great Depression’.

Externally, the Fox Theatre is a striking example of Moorish Revival architecture, designed to evoke the grandeur of a Middle Eastern palace. Its façade features onion domes, minarets, and horseshoe arches, all crafted from terra cotta and richly detailed with geometric and floral motifs. The building’s vertical emphasis and symmetrical layout draw the eye upward, while the iconic “FOX” marquee sign rises like a torch above Peachtree Street. Decorative tilework and intricate stonework frame the entrance, creating a theatrical threshold that sets the tone for the immersive fantasy inside.

 

The entrance to the Fox Theatre is richly ornamented that sets the stage for its immersive interior. Framed by horseshoe arches and intricate terra cotta detailing, the main doors are recessed beneath a decorative archway, that evokes the feel of a palace gate. This entryway was designed to transport visitors from the bustle of Peachtree Street into a world of fantasy and grandeur, reflecting the theatre’s origins as both a Shriners temple and a movie palace.

At the entrance on Peachtree Street, is a street-level kiosk; this is a compact, Moorish-inspired structure, often positioned beneath or adjacent to the glowing “FOX” marquee. It serves as a satellite box office or information booth during high-traffic events and festivals, offering:  Will-call and ticket pickup for guests who prefer outdoor access;  Show schedules, theatre brochures, and tour information and Guest assistance for directions, accessibility, and venue policies. Architecturally, the kiosk echoes the theatre’s exotic façade with horseshoe arches, tilework, and lantern-style lighting, acting as a ceremonial threshold between the city and the fantasy within.

 

The interior layout of the Theatre is organized to create a seamless progression from the entry. The entrance hall is a richly ornamented transitional space that bridges the exotic exterior with the immersive interior. Designed in the Moorish Revival style, it features horseshoe arches, elaborate plasterwork, and geometric tile mosaics that evoke the feel of a palace vestibule. Its ceiling is vaulted with decorative motifs inspired by Islamic architecture, while the walls are lined with ornamental columns, lantern-style sconces, and carved woodwork. This hall was intended to impress visitors immediately upon entry, setting the tone for the fantasy experience ahead. 
 
Within the hall just inside the main entrance on Peachtree Street, beneath the iconic “FOX” marquee is the box office. As you enter through the central doors framed by Moorish arches, the box office is positioned to the right-hand side of the lobby area. It’s marked by signage and staffed during performance hours for ticket pickup, purchases and will-call. 
 
The hall leads visitors from the entrance into the Grand Salon and auditorium, reinforcing the theatre’s original purpose as both a ceremonial temple and a cinematic showplace.

 

The Grand Salon is a richly appointed transitional space that bridges the exotic entrance hall with the immersive auditorium. Designed in the Moorish Revival style, it features ornamental arches, mirrored walls, velvet drapery, and elaborate plasterwork that evoke the ambiance of a palace lounge. The ceiling is coffered and adorned with geometric patterns and lantern-style chandeliers, while the walls are lined with decorative columns and sconces that cast a warm, theatrical glow. Originally intended for ceremonial gatherings by the Shriners, the Grand Salon now serves as a reception area and social hub during performances, offering a moment of pause before entering the celestial fantasy of the auditorium. 

Adjacent to the Grand Salon is the outdoor terrace which is part of the Marquee Club, which is a multi-level hospitality venue designed to elevate the theatre-going experience. Opened in 2018 as part of a major restoration, it spans 10,000 square feet and includes five themed spaces, such as the Main Bar, Lounge, Rooftop Terrace, and Mezzanine Lounges, each echoing the theatre’s Moorish and Egyptian Revival aesthetics.





Guests enjoy priority access, private restrooms, complimentary food, and premium cocktails, all within richly decorated interiors featuring velvet drapery, mirrored walls, and lantern-style lighting. The rooftop terrace is located above the main entrance and overlooking Peachtree Street, the terrace offers guests a panoramic view of Midtown Atlanta framed by the theatre’s iconic Moorish façade and glowing marquee. Designed to echo the exotic architectural language of the building, the terrace features ornamental railings, lantern-style lighting, and plush lounge seating, creating a luxurious open-air environment for pre-show cocktails, intermission gatherings, and private events. It serves as both a social extension of the theatre and a symbolic elevation which connects the fantasy within to the city beyond.

Access to the Auditorium can be gained via a number of entrance set at several levels accessible by elevators and stairs.

 

These lead to areas just outside the entrance to the Auditorium where drinks can be obtained. 

 

The Auditorium is the  centrepiece - a vast atmospheric theatre designed as an open-air Arabian courtyard. It seats approximately 4,665 and features a twilight ceiling with embedded crystal “stars” and projected clouds. It also contains faux facades, minarets, and balconies that simulate a palace square. The stage is framed by Islamic architectural motifs.

 

Located on the mezzanine level, inspired by the Temple of Karnak, with lotus columns, hieroglyphic friezes, and golden detailing is the Egyptian Ballroom.  This is a ceremonial space inspired by the grandeur of ancient Egypt, specifically the Temple of Karnak. Designed in the Egyptian Revival style popular in the 1920s, it features lotus-shaped columns, hieroglyphic friezes, and gold-accented detailing throughout. The ceiling is coffered and richly painted, with stylized sunbursts and geometric patterns that evoke royal symbolism. Its walls are lined with ornamental pilasters, and lighting fixtures mimicking torches or temple sconces, enhancing the immersive effect. Originally intended for Shriners’ gatherings, the ballroom now hosts weddings, galas, and private events, preserving its ceremonial function while showcasing an example of Egyptomania in American civic architecture.

The mezzanine lounges located on the upper levels are intimate themed spaces designed to complement the theatre’s exotic architecture. The lounges feature a mix of Moorish and Egyptian Revival styles, with decorative plasterwork, lotus and palm motifs, mirrored walls, and velvet drapery. Originally intended for Shriners’ ceremonial use and intermission gatherings, they now serve as private event spaces and quiet retreats during performances. Each lounge is distinct in ornamentation, often showcasing hieroglyphic friezes, Islamic arches, or gilded sconces, reinforcing the theatre’s layered fantasy and symbolic richness. Their spatial placement also helps manage audience flow between the auditorium, ballroom, and reception areas.

One of the theatre’s lounges is the Spanish Room which is one of its most atmospheric and intimate spaces, often used for private events, receptions, and VIP gatherings. Architecturally, it evokes the Andalusian-Moorish style, blending Spanish Renaissance and Islamic motifs in a richly layered interior.  The Spanish Room functions as a reflective retreat from the grandeur of the main auditorium. It offers a quieter, more personal experience while still echoing the theatre’s overarching Moorish fantasy.

 

The Organ Loft houses the legendary “Mighty Mo” - a Möller pipe organ installed in 1929 and still one of the largest theatre organs in the world. Positioned above the stage within a decorative Moorish-style alcove, the loft blends seamlessly into the theatre’s atmospheric architecture, framed by ornamental arches, minaret-like towers, and faux palace facades. The organ itself features over 3,600 pipes, with its console originally placed in the orchestra pit and now often showcased during special performances. The loft’s design allows sound to cascade across the auditorium, enhancing the illusion of an open-air courtyard with celestial acoustics.

The backstage and support areas are designed to accommodate a wide range of live performances, from Broadway productions to concerts. Located behind and beneath the stage, these spaces include dressing rooms, green rooms, wardrobe and makeup stations, and technical control zones. The loading dock and stage access corridors allow for efficient movement of sets and equipment, while the fly system above the stage supports complex scenery changes. Though hidden from public view, these areas are essential to the theatre’s operation, enabling seamless transitions and professional-grade productions. Their layout reflects the building’s dual heritage as both a ceremonial temple and a working performance venue.