Theatre Architects

The Reid Brothers began architectural operations in Evansville, Indiana, with James W. Reid and Merritt J. Reid from 1880-1891. James headed West in late 1886 with youngest brother Watson to open an office in San Diego, California, which lasted until 1899. James then reestablished the firm’s headquarters in San Francisco, California, between 1889-1891; Merritt came West to open a Portland, Oregon, office in 1891. Watson remained in San Diego until 1899, when he chose to return to New Brunswick, Canada.

The Reid Brothers’ San Francisco office prospered with many commissions after the 1906 earthquake, working on many commissions for schools and theatres in the Bay Area. James closed the Reid Brothers firm after Merritt’s death in 1932.

Notable California landmarks designed by Reid Bros. include the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, the Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, and the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. The firm designed over 40 theatres in the Bay Area and wider northern California area.

Information in part sourced from Pacific Coast Architecture Database .

Theatres on this website in which this architect firm was involved:

Golden State Theatre, Monterey, California, USA

Grand Lake Theatre, Oakland, California, USA

Merced Theatre, Merced, California, USA

Palace Theater, Oakland, California, USA

The State Room, South San Francisco, California, USA