Doors Are Locked at Inwood Theatre, But Does This Spell Trouble For The Art Deco Landmark?

Could there be trouble at the Inwood Theatre? The lockout notice on the door of the iconic Lovers Lane is dated Feb. 19. The lease dates back to 1988, and while reports say that the lease was terminated due to nonpayment of rent, one has to wonder if this spells disaster for the Art Deco-style landmark.

Inwood Theatre opened in 1947 and was restored in 2005. The theater, operated by Landmark Theatres, has three screens with seating options including couches, loveseats, and lounge chairs.

Also known for its murals, the lobby of the Inwood Theatre features an original, underwater-themed mural by artist Perry Nichols, according to the theater’s website. The Inwood Lounge, a full-service martini bar, was also added to the theater’s lobby when Inwood Theater was refurbished.

Open Realty Advisors, the company that manages the property located at the Pavilion Shopping Center on Lovers Lane near Inwood Road, confirmed the lockout and lease termination but would not comment further.

The landmark status is up in the air, and though we reached out to officials in the City of Dallas Office of Historic Preservation have not returned calls to confirm its status.

Considered one of the city’s icons of Art Deco architecture, the Inwood Theatre was built in 1947 and restored in 2005, featuring a bar and updated screening rooms. The theater was owned by Landmark Theaters, which was sold to the Cohenn Media Group in 2018. It’s one of the last remaining original movie theaters in Dallas, along with the Texas Theatre, which opened in 1931.