Rationalist Route II - 13. Rialto Cinema

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Routes · Subcategory: Rationalism route · Year: 1962 · Authors: Miguel Martín-Fernández de la Torre, José Luis Jiménez Domínguez

The Rialto Cinema was one of the most imposing cinemas in the Alcaravaneras neighbourhood in the second half of the 20th century. Located at the junction of the current Presidente Alvear and Néstor de la Torre streets, the history of its construction went through several phases, beginning in 1944, when Isidro Ezquerra Medina applied for licences from the Las Palmas City Council to build a cinema between Luis Antúnez and Presidente Alvear streets under the designs of architect José Luis Jiménez Domínguez. However, the works were delayed due to issues related to urban planning regulations, lack of construction materials, and finally, the expiry of the granted licences. All this led to the building being registered in 1955, half-finished, in the census as an "unfinished building".

In 1957 Juan Castellano Hernández bought the property with the aim of completing its construction and operating it as a cinema. And so he did in 1961, renovating the existing building under new designs by Miguel Martín Fernández de la Torre for a capacity of 890 people. The brilliant rationalist architect left his mark on the new project, while respecting much of the work carried out by José Luis Jiménez. Although it is true that Miguel Martín had already designed a Rialto Cinema in 1932 for Bravo Murillo street, this was a different project that was never realised.

The cinema finally opened its doors on 5 November 1962 with the premiere of the film Pecado de amor by Luis César Amadori. Admission cost between 12 and 16 pesetas (depending on the seat location and the day of the screening).

After 23 years of operation, it closed its doors permanently on 5 November 1985 with the screening of Furiously in Love by Giuseppe Castellano Pipolo. Unfortunately, the cinema was demolished to build a residential building, losing forever one of the best buildings intended for cinema that the city had.

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