Anyone have any info on this place or has anyone been inside? It is located in the West End. I have checked this place out quite a few times and I have never seen any way in. I know that they are restoring it and a recent google map picture shows new work on the roof. I have tried to contact the owner to see about a tour or something but my call has never been returned.

Oddly enough, the owners of the property called me back. They would give a tour to an organization interested in restoring the property ( after a lengthy application process) but will not allow a tour for any other reason. ( I of course had a very valid reason for wanting access at the ready) , So now my question is: Has anyone ever been inside ever? They bought this property only recently ( last 5 years or so it seems) . Any older local explorers out there been in or has it always been secured?

Posted by Granuaile Oddly enough, the owners of the property called me back. They would give a tour to an organization interested in restoring the property ( after a lengthy application process) but will not allow a tour for any other reason. ( I of course had a very valid reason for wanting access at the ready) , So now my question is: Has anyone ever been inside ever? They bought this property only recently ( last 5 years or so it seems) . Any older local explorers out there been in or has it always been secured?

Unfortunately given its location it's been pretty sealed up. Personally I've never known anyone to be able to gain entry to it

Thank you for the reply. I'm so curious about what it looks like in there. The closest thing I could find was a description. There is not one picture of the interior anywhere. Time to try the library or a historical society I guess.

The library's response:



"Unfortunately, the library does not possess any image of the interior of the Regal Theater. After checking with one of our reference librarians who is extremely knowledgeable about the history of the west side of Cincinnati, he does not know of any interior photographs in existence. It seems so odd the theater operated for as long as it did without interior photographs taken."

I've never had much luck over the phone getting into anywhere. Face to face is what works best. If you see a contractor working there hit them up! On large demo, conversion, and building projects the contractor has control of the site. If you approach them right, they are your ticket for a free admission.
Remember if you make a good impression after you get in, they may allow you to shoot other projects they're working on in the future. This works great with demo companies.
The construction supervisor is the one you want.
Go there with your gear. The more pro you look, the better your chances.
Have a hard hat, safety glasses and wear steel boots, no shorts.
If he has concerns, and he will, listen to him carefully.
Address each one and do what they ask. Offer to share the images with them if they want them and/or to see them. Many times they don't.
If they are strict and only give you a few minutes don't get discouraged. Make the best of it and don't step on their toes or waste their time.
If you handle it right, they may let you come back to shoot a longer set. After a few times if you play it right, they may give you free reign on the site(s).
Safety is their number one concern,wear all the required PPE and be safe on the site

I got into the Chester Power Plant, Sunoco Paper Mill, MAB Paint in Reading, a PVC plant, RR derailment clean ups, and other sites like this. I shot the hell out of those sites. Sweet as it gets.
Good luck!

Posted by blackhawk I've never had much luck over the phone getting into anywhere. Face to face is what works best. If you see a contractor working there hit them up! On large demo, conversion, and building projects the contractor has control of the site. If you approach them right, they are your ticket for a free admission. Remember if you make a good impression after you get in, they may allow you to shoot other projects they're working on in the future. This works great with demo companies. The construction supervisor is the one you want. Go there with your gear. The more pro you look, the better your chances. Have a hard hat, safety glasses and wear steel boots, no shorts. If he has concerns, and he will, listen to him carefully. Address each one and do what they ask. Offer to share the images with them if they want them and/or to see them. Many times they don't. If they are strict and only give you a few minutes don't get discouraged. Make the best of it and don't step on their toes or waste their time. If you handle it right, they may let you come back to shoot a longer set. After a few times if you play it right, they may give you free reign on the site(s). Safety is their number one concern,wear all the required PPE and be safe on the site I got into the Chester Power Plant, Sunoco Paper Mill, MAB Paint in Reading, a PVC plant, RR derailment clean ups, and other sites like this. I shot the hell out of those sites. Sweet as it gets. Good luck!

Many thanks for your tips! I have gotten into a church or two by just approaching the head of construction and chatting him up about the building. This one however is near impossible to gain entry to.
They have already fixed the roof, so i lost my chance on that one. Also, They never even opened it in order to patch the roof. I drove by a few times and it was still super sealed up. The only way I can see to get in would be to create a organization interested in buying the place.I am somewhat proficient at bullshiting, but I doubt i'm that good. I took the historical route ( i work in an archive and can bullshit reasons for wanting access based on local history etc). There are so many theaters in this city and a few built during the same time period. This is the only one that is a total mystery. What sort of place has no pictures taken of it ever? My next step is to find some old timers in the neighborhood and see what they know about it. Trouble is that most people are not exactly friendly to strangers coming in and asking questions. I will not give up ! I may not be able to actually go in it, but I will try my best to find out what it looked like.

Posted by Granuaile Many thanks for your tips! I have gotten into a church or two by just approaching the head of construction and chatting him up about the building. This one however is near impossible to gain entry to. They have already fixed the roof, so i lost my chance on that one. Also, They never even opened it in order to patch the roof. I drove by a few times and it was still super sealed up. The only way I can see to get in would be to create a organization interested in buying the place.I am somewhat proficient at bullshiting, but I doubt i'm that good. I took the historical route ( i work in an archive and can bullshit reasons for wanting access based on local history etc). There are so many theaters in this city and a few built during the same time period. This is the only one that is a total mystery. What sort of place has no pictures taken of it ever? My next step is to find some old timers in the neighborhood and see what they know about it. Trouble is that most people are not exactly friendly to strangers coming in and asking questions. I will not give up ! I may not be able to actually go in it, but I will try my best to find out what it looked like.

I'm sure there are images, but not digitally cataloged. I would try approaching the owner again in person. Learn as much as you can about the structure, it's architect, the construction company and its past operation. Showing a sincere interest helps. If you got the gear try offering your abilities shooting something else for them to sweeten the deal. Another thing you can try is to not release the images you glean there until it is demoed or occupied.
In the end nothing may work except patience.
Hope you get your shoot.

I don't have the gear because I'm not a photo explorer. I'm just the regular sort. The rest of the cincy folks I explore with do though. That's a good Idea. Thanks very much for your help. I remain ever patient and determined.

Posted by Granuaile I don't have the gear because I'm not a photo explorer. I'm just the regular sort. The rest of the cincy folks I explore with do though. That's a good Idea. Thanks very much for your help. I remain ever patient and determined.

You're welcome. Not much help though I'm afraid.
It seems this building has been sealed tight for about 30 years so it very well might be interesting. However it apparently isn't an Art Deco style theater. Wouldn't go too nuts over it. It's time will come... in the meanwhile lots of other places.

It is more of a mystery to solve. We've come across some pretty cool and accessible locations lately. Just really curious about this theater.

I'd love to see the inside of it myself but as sealed up is that place is it just doesn't seem very likely at this point

I know. I still go by and check it from time to time. Someone bought the theater down the street and if we are lucky someone will buy the Regal. I mean like super lucky because the neighborhood surrounding it is fucked and there is no way anyone would want to invest in it right now.

Posted by Granuaile I know. I still go by and check it from time to time. Someone bought the theater down the street and if we are lucky someone will buy the Regal. I mean like super lucky because the neighborhood surrounding it is fucked and there is no way anyone would want to invest in it right now.

I spent a lot of time poking around the Historical Society library in Union Terminal for other projects and have had a lot of success but since you've already contacted them and they say they don't have any information it might be best to spend a few hours at the main library in the local History Section going through old their archives on the area.

Blackhawk is right there may be pictures lurking in an old book down at the library or some dusty old folder down in the stacks but if that photo does exist there's a very good chance it was never digitalized.

I've contacted the library but not the museum center library. Its worth a shot. The only other option is to go through periodicals looking for pictures of it when it opened or when it closed. There are two other "hidden" theaters I'd also like to check out.

Posted by Granuaile I've contacted the library but not the museum center library. Its worth a shot. The only other option is to go through periodicals looking for pictures of it when it opened or when it closed. There are two other "hidden" theaters I'd also like to check out.

If one of those hidden theaters you're referring to is the Emory theater I've been in it before it's definitely nice, but it's also a semi active site in an active building

I can't think of what the other one you were referring to is I'm sure it's just slipped my mind

You are correct.I know it's an active building and I've been having a think about it. Renovations are currently up in the air. I'm curious because it was a Hannaford creation. I've been to one of his mansions before and really enjoy his style.

The other one is in Avondale. I can't remember who told me it was once a theater. Once they said it though that was all I could see it being. We stumbled in an unsecured door (in the back of a shop connected to it) one night but quickly left because we maybe set off a motion detector. Going to have to do a bit more research on it to see if it really was a theater or just an elaborate store front. Either way, I've driven by it a thousand times and have always wanted inside.


Edit: I just doubled checked and it was a theater. Not so sure if that part of it is still in there but a local news article says it is headed for a full renovation.

If you haven't spent any time just walking around City Hall I recommend it it's a great example of Hannaford architecture

That and this were some of his greatest buildings.

https://en.m.wikip...ional_Guard_Armory

I've definitely walked around it but never went inside. Are people allowed to just pop in for a look I wonder...

Posted by Granuaile I've definitely walked around it but never went inside. Are people allowed to just pop in for a look I wonder...

Yes, although they may ask you what department you want to visit