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The UPTOWN Sign *UPDATE 7/31: AMC will keep the sign!*

July 29, 2017

Uptown Theater opening night, October 1936AMC Theaters spokesman Ryan Noonan issued this statement this afternoon: “In response to community feedback, AMC will maintain the Uptown signage, with an upgrade to LED lighting for better energy efficiency and to ensure the sign remains in good working order. We continue to evaluate additional exterior signage plans, including the addition of the AMC brand on the theatre. We appreciate the passion and feedback from the community, and look forward to serving moviegoers at AMC Uptown 1 for years to come.”

The DC Historic Preservation Office (HPO) has canceled AMC’s application and will require a new application from them for any further signage they may propose, as well as for the proposed change to LED for the Uptown sign. Once HPO has received an application with the specifics of the proposed change, if they determine that a change in lighting technology would not alter the character of the sign, they will approve it administratively. If they believe there would be a change to the character of the sign, they will send it to the neighborhood (ARC and ANC) for review. We will update when we know more.

Thanks to everyone who wrote to AMC, contacted them via social media, and expressed concern to us and love for the Uptown’s iconic sign. And special thanks to ANC Commissioner Emma Hersh for being out in front on this issue all weekend.

Original post:

CPHS is aware of the application by AMC to replace the iconic sign on Cleveland Park’s 1936 Uptown Theater. We have received an outpouring of concern and support for saving the sign, which has graced the theater through 81 years and many changes of ownership. We are working with ANC commissioners and the Art Deco Society of Washington to respond. The next steps are to determine exactly what is proposed and the timeline for its review.

The Uptown is part of the Cleveland Park Historic District and any change to its exterior is subject to review by the DC Historic Preservation Review Board. (Read more about review procedures here.) We will post here as soon as possible a schedule of public meetings and other ways for concerned neighbors to respond.

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Cleveland Park Historical Society
2 weeks ago
Cleveland Park Historical Society

The Sea Fare restaurant opened in 1945 at 3524 Connecticut Ave NW in Cleveland Park. Created by combining two 1920s storefronts into one building, the Sea Fare was another example of a small business that had been “renovized” by adding a shiny pale-green Vitrolite façade, framed in black, to make for a modern, streamlined look. The mirror-like Vitrolite became an enduring landmark on upper Connecticut Avenue, sometimes attracting unwelcome attention from passersby. In 1953, the Sea Fare’s owner commented to the Washington Post about gangs of young “hoodlums” that would frequent the neighborhood, claiming they would “daily preen themselves in the glassy surfaces of the tile covering the front of his restaurant. 'They all have long wavy hair—they call it duck-tails,’ he said, ‘and wear blue jeans and T-shirts or sweat shirts.’” Two years later, the Sea Fare closed and was replaced by the Peking Palace restaurant, which soon became the Yenching Palace, a landmark Chinese restaurant for many decades. The storefront is now vacant. ... See MoreSee Less

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I do not remember this. Oh, I see it becoming Peking Palace that I do remember.

This explains so much! I always wondered at exterior of Yenching Palace as it seemed out of character/style.

Absolutely loved Peking Palace as a kids. My mother’s cousin lived on Connecticut Ave and we passed by almost every week!

Yenching Palace had the most amazing, diverse and abundant brunch on Sundays!!

Cleveland Park Historical Society
3 weeks ago
Cleveland Park Historical Society

The Winter 2022 edition of Voices is now available for download: tinyurl.com/46t7h7xy ... See MoreSee Less

The Winter 2022 edition of Voices is now available for download: https://tinyurl.com/46t7h7xy
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Cleveland Park Historical Society
3 weeks ago
Cleveland Park Historical Society

Uptown Theatre ... See MoreSee Less

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Uptown Theatre

sah-archipedia.org

1936, John J. Zink. 3426 Connecticut Ave. NW
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What is its current status?

Spent a lot of time there growing up in the 60’s and early 70’s

It was listed on the National Register last month. We are uncertain as to future plans for this landmark. The seating area has been cleared out, but the lobby and stairwells are still intact.

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