Built in 1927 and designed by Joseph-Alcide Chaussé, with interiors by Emmanuel Briffa, it is the only theatre in Canada designed in the Egyptian style (inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb).
Opened as the Empress Theatre, the building was a vaudeville theatre for burlesque and first-run films.
In 1962 it was a dinner theatre called the Royal Follies.
 In 1968 it  became a two-tiered art-movie cinema known as Cinema V and Salle Hermes.
In 1974 it was briefly named The Home of the Blue Movies and in 1975 it became simply Cinema V, a repertory cinema.
In 1988 it was acquired by Famous Players and showed first-run films.
In 1992 a fire caused damage to the theater resulting in its permanent closure.
In 1999, after several years of abandonment, the city of Montreal took ownership of the building.
Built in 1927 and designed by Joseph-Alcide Chaussé, with interiors by Emmanuel Briffa, it is the only theatre in Canada designed in the Egyptian style (inspired by the discovery of Tutankhamen's tomb). Opened as the Empress Theatre, the building was a vaudeville theatre for burlesque and first-run films. In 1962 it was a dinner theatre called the Royal Follies.  In 1968 it  became a two-tiered art-movie cinema known as Cinema V and Salle Hermes. In 1974 it was briefly named The Home of the Blue Movies and in 1975 it became simply Cinema V, a repertory cinema. In 1988 it was acquired by Famous Players and showed first-run films. In 1992 a fire caused damage to the theater resulting in its permanent closure. In 1999, after several years of abandonment, the city of Montreal took ownership of the building.
Empress Theatre (Montreal)