The Alexandria Theatre opened its doors on November 26, 1923, with Douglas MacLean’s Going Up. Built at a cost of $350,000 by Oppenheimer and Levin, and designed by the Reid Brothers, it was originally styled in Egyptian Revival—a nod to the famed Hollywood Egyptian Theatre. A 1941 remodel replaced most of the original decor with a sleek Moderne look, although some of the Egyptian elements survived beneath the surface. The theater reopened in 1942, but due to wartime blackouts, its new neon features stayed dark until restrictions lifted.

In 1958, the Alexandria transitioned from a neighborhood second-run house to a first-run, reserved-seat roadshow theater. It opened South Pacific on July 1, 1958, kicking off an era of long-running films like Cleopatra (56 weeks), Oliver! (43 weeks), and Exodus (21 weeks). While popular, this model ended its role as a weekly-changing neighborhood cinema. Longtime Richmond District patrons turned to other nearby theaters, though none could match the Alexandria’s wide CinemaScope screen and four-track stereo sound.

Actor Richard Egan reportedly worked as an usher there in the 1940s, but by 1976, the Alexandria had been divided into three screens, with the balcony and loge turned into smaller auditoriums. Rumors persist that behind the modern updates, the original atmospheric ceiling and Egyptian columns remain intact. The theater officially closed in early 2004.

Since then, the building has sat empty. Over the years, multiple redevelopment plans were proposed—including a smaller theater with retail and an indoor pool—but stalled due to funding and logistical challenges. In 2024, the city approved a special use district allowing for a new eight-story development with 75 apartments, including 12% affordable units, while requiring preservation of certain historic features like the marquee and interior murals.

Local leaders, including Supervisor Connie Chan, see the redevelopment as a way to add housing without displacing small businesses. Preservationists like Woody LaBounty argue for retaining the building’s character, while pro-housing advocates express concern over the city’s piecemeal approach. As of now, the future of the Alexandria remains uncertain—but the building continues to stand as a landmark of San Francisco’s architectural and cinematic history.