Lakewood Theater gets historic landmark designation

DALLAS - The beloved Lakewood Theater became a historic landmark in a vote by the Dallas City Council Wednesday.

The art deco theater was built in 1938. It’s one of the last of its kind in the country. The building’s new owners are now barred from making major renovations to the outside or the murals inside.

“For me personally, I went there as a kid. Every Saturday I went to Doc Herald’s Drug Store, got a comic book and milkshake, walked to the Lakewood Theater and went to the kid’s show,” said Virginia McAlester, the founder of Preservation Dallas.

“When you drive down Abrams Road, you can see the tower. And when you see that, you know you’re home,” added Kyle Rains, who lives in the area.

A year ago, people braced for a fight with the owners, getting Burton Gilliam of “Blazing Saddles” involved. His movies once played at the theater. But the owners did not put up a fight and went along with the restrictions of the landmark designation.

The theater will likely be turned into a restaurant and entertainment venue.