The Fox / Martin Woldson Theater
A 1931 Art Deco movie palace that now hosts the Spokane Symphony.
The Fox is one of the best-looking buildings in downtown Spokane. Stylized eagles decorate the front on Sprague Avenue and butterflies face Monroe Street. Inside, a huge sunburst-shaped light fixture hangs over the auditorium.
The best way to see it is to go to a show. The Spokane Symphony owns the building, and the season includes classical concerts, family programs and visiting performers. If you cannot catch a performance, the marquee and exterior are worth a short walk.
The theater is formally called the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, a name from its 2007 reopening.
What to see and do
Look for the stylized eagles on the front and the butterfly designs on the Monroe Street side.
The lit vertical marquee is a good evening photo with downtown behind it.
A 60-foot-wide etched glass and plaster sunburst light fixture hangs in the auditorium, with nine smaller chandeliers nearby.
Home of the Symphony, with performances throughout the season.
If you cannot get inside, the Symphony's website offers a virtual theater tour and a first-timer's guide.
Local tips
- Buy a ticket to a symphony or touring show to see the interior; the building is mainly open for events.
- Arrive early to look around the lobby and find your seat.
- Check the box office hours if you want to buy in person; they are limited outside event days.
- Rideshare drop-off is easy on Sprague, and public lots are within a few blocks.
- Photograph the marquee at dusk from across Sprague.
- Wheelchair seating, companion seating and assistive listening devices are available; call the box office to arrange them.
- Combine with dinner downtown; the Davenport Hotel is a short walk.
A little history
The Fox opened on September 3, 1931, with room for 2,350 people, designed by Spokane architect Robert Reamer. Interior designer Anthony Heinsbergen gave it its Art Deco look. It showed movies for almost seventy years, with the Spokane Symphony starting to play there in 1968, and screened its last film on September 21, 2000.
The Symphony bought the building in 2000 and carried out a restoration of about $31 million that finished in November 2007. The theater now seats about 1,700 and is the Symphony's permanent home.
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Photos
Happening nearby
Questions visitors ask
When was the Fox Theater built?
It opened on September 3, 1931, as a movie palace.
Who owns the Fox Theater in Spokane?
The Spokane Symphony bought it in 2000 and restored it. It reopened in 2007 as the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.
Can I tour the Fox Theater?
The Symphony offers a virtual tour online. Seeing the interior in person generally means attending an event.
How big is the Fox?
About 1,700 seats today, down from 2,350 in 1931.
Is the Fox wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair and companion seats and assistive listening devices are available. Contact the box office to arrange them.
Where is the box office?
At the theater, 1001 W Sprague Ave. Hours are limited outside event days, so check first.
More downtown staples
Park / Landmark · DowntownRiverfront Park & Spokane FallsA 100-acre park built around a roaring waterfall in the middle of downtown.
Ride / Attraction · DowntownNumerica SkyRideAn enclosed gondola that drops 200 feet over the falls and gorge.
Historic ride · DowntownLooff CarrouselA hand-carved 1909 carousel with 54 horses and a ring to catch.