The Rialto’s Next Act
Every town has a long-standing institution, something that's been around for so long it's embedded in a place's collective memory. For Westfield, it's the Rialto. The town’s oldest entertainment venue has changed dramatically over the last century, yet one thing has remained constant: its importance and legacy in connecting Westfield residents to creativity and each other.
In the height of the cinema boom in the early 20th century, the Rialto opened in 1922. Its single screen and ornate auditorium represented the golden age of film. Back then, going to the movies meant getting dressed to the nines for an evening of entertainment and society showing. Movie theaters answered the call for an opulent experience with grand theater design and architecture. In response to seeing the Rialto after opening night, the Westfield Leader wrote: "There is nothing too good for Westfield."
Despite challenges in the mid and late 20th century, the Rialto maintained its stronghold on Westfield's society and entertainment landscape. As America entered the age of malls and multiplexes, the single auditorium was split into multiple smaller theaters to allow for many movies to be shown at once. The layout wasn't the only thing that changed; the clientele also transformed. As movie-going became a more regular experience in American life, the theater transitioned from a high-end venue to a more casual meeting point for date nights, play dates, and birthday parties. Despite changing ownership several times, one fact remained: the Rialto was a place to be entertained, make memories, connect with your community, and find a new source of inspiration on the silver screen.
In the 1990s, multiplexes evolved into megaplexes, which housed more than 16 screens in a single location, often with food, shopping, and other entertainment available in the same building. Small, independent theaters like the Rialto struggled to keep up, prompting property owners to discuss converting the site into a retail space. Westfield residents, bound by their love of the Rialto and desire to keep Westfield's businesses small and local, came together to protest the move. Eventually, the retailers backed out of the deal, and the theater was sold to a buyer who promised to keep it as an operating cinema.
For 30 more years, the Rialto continued to be a staple in Westfield life. It held its own against competition from international theater chains and continued to connect Westfield residents and their neighbors to thousands of films. Then, in August 2019, the theater closed suddenly. Residents couldn't help but wonder: Is this the end of the Rialto? After providing a century of service and being the home for so many beloved memories, what will become of it next?
Westfield passed an ordinance that designated the Rialto as an area in need of redevelopment. The theater stood empty and in limbo for some time. In the abandoned building, you could still see glimpses of the magic of the place. Peeking around corners and peering behind doors were walls filled with decades of staff graffiti, vintage ticket machines, and even the paint and plaster that decorated the original movie palace.
A group of Westfield residents knew that this magic was worth preserving. The Rialto might not be the same as it was, but it could continue to be a cornerstone of Westfield in a new and exciting way. With a dream to protect and reimagine the Rialto, they purchased the building.
An anonymous $5 million donation from a resident kick-started the transformation of the Rialto into its next phase: the Rialto Center for Creativity, a gathering place for performance, creativity, culture, and art in Westfield.
Between being a movie palace, a multiplex, a birthday party venue, a date night location, or something else, the theater has always been a defining part of the Westfield experience. The Rialto, like so many things, is continuing to evolve and change. This new phase marks the beginning of the Rialto’s next chapter, one that will bring impact, community, and creativity.
Here's to the Rialto, may it stand for a hundred more years.
About the Rialto Center for Creativity
The Rialto Center for Creativity is transforming Westfield’s historic Rialto Theater into a vibrant hub for cultural conversation, live performance, and hands-on learning.
The Rialto Center for Creativity is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit 501c(3) organization responsible for raising 100% of its construction and operating costs.
