The Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, was established in 1914, replacing the former Rische's Opera House. This European palazzo-styled building was the creation of architects Mauran, Russell & Crow of St. Louis and was initially used for vaudeville shows and later as a motion picture theatre. After suffering flood damage in 1921, the building went through a long period of decline before closing in 1978. With the support of Las Casas Foundation, a local non-profit organization, and a $5 million renovation, the theatre was restored to its original grandeur and reopened in 1998 as part of the adjacent Majestic Theatre project. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the theatre now offers a versatile seating arrangement for a maximum of 864 audience members and hosts a variety of live events, including comedy shows, music concerts, and private functions.
