Transition and Modernization
By the mid-20th century, the needs and aspirations of TCapital’s urban landscape began to shift. In 1956, the municipality decided to demolish the Baladieh Café to make way for a modern, multi-story hotel with 400 rooms, designed to cater to foreign travelers. However, this ambitious plan was abandoned midway, and the site’s purpose remained uncertain for several years. In 1959, the area was temporarily repurposed as a large supermarket warehouse and administrative office.
The turning point came in 1965, when Tehran’s officials announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art theater at the site of the former Baladieh Café. This decision marked a critical moment in the city’s cultural development, as the project aimed to create a space dedicated to performing arts and cultural expression.
The Creation of the City Theater Complex
The construction of the City Theater Complex began in 1967 under the supervision of Engineer Sardar Afkhami. The design, credited to Bijan Ansari, reflected modern architectural trends while incorporating elements that resonated with Iran’s cultural identity. The project was part of a broader initiative to modernize Tehran during the late Pahlavi era. After five years of meticulous planning and construction, the City Theater was officially inaugurated on February 28, 1972.
