Since 2006, the City of Erie has been involved in a bold plan to restore, renovate, and revitalize its downtown area into an attractive residential and commercial sector. A thriving cultural and entertainment district is an essential part of that plan, of course.

Luckily, the downtown region already boasts a good start in that direction with the Warner Theatre at 811 State Street and the Erie Insurance Arena at 809 French Street. Together with the Bayfront Convention Center and the Jerry Uht Park, these two venues are part of a group of four contiguous facilities owned and operated by the Erie County Convention Center Authority (ECCCA) that form the nucleus of Erie's entertainment attractions.

The Art Deco and French Renaissance-style Warner Theatre was commissioned in 1929 by the Warner Brothers movie studio, which spent an unprecedented $1.5 million on its construction. Like many movie palaces in that era, it was lavishly appointed with such embellishments as gold and silver leaf, crushed velour, and gold-backed French mirrors, and featured a 65-foot by 28-foot proscenium stage. From the 1930s through the 1960s, it hosted various artists and vaudeville performers as well as screening movies.Since 2006, the City of Erie has been involved in a bold plan to restore, renovate, and revitalize its downtown area into an attractive residential and commercial sector. A thriving cultural and entertainment district is an essential part of that plan, of course.

Luckily, the downtown region already boasts a good start in that direction with the Warner Theatre at 811 State Street and the Erie Insurance Arena at 809 French Street. Together with the Bayfront Convention Center and the Jerry Uht Park, these two venues are part of a group of four contiguous facilities owned and operated by the Erie County Convention Center Authority (ECCCA) that form the nucleus of Erie's entertainment attractions.

The Art Deco and French Renaissance-style Warner Theatre was commissioned in 1929 by the Warner Brothers movie studio, which spent an unprecedented $1.5 million on its construction. Like many movie palaces in that era, it was lavishly appointed with such embellishments as gold and silver leaf, crushed velour, and gold-backed French mirrors, and featured a 65-foot by 28-foot proscenium stage. From the 1930s through the 1960s, it hosted various artists and vaudeville performers as well as screening movies.