There was a special ventilating system that purified the air. Mirrors, fountains, lights and birds decorated the elegant space. The usherettes wore colonial dress. Granted, by that time automobiles had been around for some time, but keep in mind, Southern California was still considered something of a backwater. Film production had almost completely moved West from New York by the end of World War I in 1918, but that was only three years before.
Real estate is still a pretty crazy business.
The place has been closed to the public for more than a decade. Both sides firmly believe that they are acting in the best interests of the community. Then you go downtown in Los Angeles, there's maybe three, then you have to go to San Diego to find another. You are losing a significant resource. He has been doing adaptive reuses for Pasadena buildings for over 20 years.