Pdxguide

Built in 1923, the Laurelhurst was one of the first art-deco styled buildings to grace the City of Roses. It served as a neighborhood cinema throughout the years, but the Cineplex era brought upon the Laurelhurst hard times. The Laurelhurst tried everything they could to stay afloat. In 1979, the theater was divided into four smaller screening rooms (the current format we have today) to compete with the cineplexes, but it didn’t do much. During the 80’s and 90’s, the Laurelhurst stuck with a cheap-ticket, B-movie and second-run format and earned the nickname “The Urine-Hurst” due to the state of its clientele (and surrounding neighborhood). Around 2000 the theater was bought and renovated by the current owners. The single-screen became a four-screen format, and like the Bagdad, the Laurelhurst serves beer and pizza. With a renewed sense of respect, the Laurelhurst has become a community hub again for the surrounding Kerns/Buckman neighborhood and the jumpin’ commercial district along 28th Ave.