Empress Blue

Designed by the Montreal architect Alcide Chaussé [1868-1944], and decorated by interior designer Emmanuel Briffa [1875-1955] and sculptor Edward Galea, the Empress has the distinction of being an exceptional example of an Art deco-era theatre building in the Egyptian Revival style. Though little of the interior decor remains, the theatre is the only one of its quality in Canada and among the best examples of this style in North America. Originally named The Empress Theatre and later known as Cinema V, the building was opened to the public in 1928. In one form or another, the venue operated as a profitable and vibrant part of the community until a fire tragically gutted its interior in 1992.