Palace Theatre
209 S. El Paso St., El Paso, TXTrost's familiarity and skill with the various architectural developments of his day are displayed in downtown El Paso where a concentration of his works exist. Perhaps one of his most extraordinary examples of stylistic expression is seen in the Palace Theatre, formerly the Alhambra, the facade of which displays a delicate overall tracery of arabesques and Islamic script. This is thought to be Trost's only design in the Spanish Colonial style with Moorish influences.
The theatre was designed for use as either a playhouse for live theater or a movie house and was opened on August 1, 1914, at a cost of $150,000. A large organ was included in the interior furnishings to accompany the screening of "silent" movies. The Moorish theme was carried to the interior where the lobby displays the column-supported arches of the facade. The auditorium of the theatre features a balcony and opera boxes and seats believed to be original are still in use. Throughout most of its history, the theatre has served the film industry and is currently in operation as a movie house. Trost's choice of a Spanish Colonial format with Moorish influence preceded the 1920's vogue for that style.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.