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After nearly 10 years in the planning stage, The Beacon Cinema in downtown Pittsfield Massachusetts, is a dream come true. The project is a critical piece of the city's downtown revitalization strategy developed by Downtown, Inc. and the City in the late 1990's. The Cinema serves as an important anchor along with the Colonial Theatre, Berkshire Museum and Barrington Stage Company in downtown Pittsfield's growing reputation as the center of culture and entertainment in Berkshire County.
Come and experience the best that the film world has to offer. With digital projection and sound, 3-D capability and stadium seating, the Beacon Cinema offers the full range of today’s movie-going experience. Then you will know why downtown Pittsfield is the place to eat, relax and simply enjoy life.

This page last modified on June 21, 2009

Kresge Building - Brief History

The Kinnell-Kresge building built in 1918 as a joint development by Dr. George K. Kinnell, a local veterinarian, and the S.S. Kresge chain of 5-10 cent stores is an important contributing structure within the Park Square Historic District. Built in the Venetian Gothic Revival style with its distinctive glazed terra cotta tile facade it is a major feature to downtown Pittsfield's North Street. This ornate white glazed terra cotta tile and brick was designed by Joseph McArthur Vance (1868-1948) based on a similar facade on the S.S. Kresge Company Headquarters building in Detroit, Michigan. Now known as the Kales Building the Kresge's main headquarters was designed by Albert Kahn (1869-1942) and constructed in 1914.

The building functioned as the Kresge department store as the primary retail tenant for many years , while professional offices were offered for rent on the upper floors. Although partially vacant for about 25 years until recently this building was used for art and dance non-profit organizations.

The Kinnell-Kresge building distinctive features includes its decorative white glazed terra cotta facade with white glazed brick, original wood pivot windows and steel double hung windows, interior wood and glass office partitions, skylights and lay lights and main staircase. The project involves the careful restoration of all the character defining features of the building while also sensitively accommodating the new elements required to convert the building into a six theater cinema, offices, and retail/restaurant spaces.