Quote:
Originally Posted by SDCAL
Even if opening it back up as a theater is not possible, why can't the building be restored and used as something else?
Why can't it be incorporated into vertical development, something similar to Electra?
I think the urban fabric of our city should include historic elements, it adds richness and vitality.
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I prefer preserving older structures, but I don't think what Bosa did is comparable to the problems of the California. Bosa essentially gutted and hollowed out the old SDGE building, which was an old power station, and sold luxury condos with bayfront views. All they had to do was keep the facade and that's much cheaper than restoring an old theater. Plus, if you were to restore a theater you can't repurpose it for anything else except, well, theater, which hasn't been too lucrative lately. You can try different programming, but the Balboa (subsidized by the city) and the Birch (theater converted to small concert venue after years of lackluster business) haven't been to convincing of such efforts. Plus, you aren't selling high end condos or grade A office space, this is C street, not the bay.
At best, we could hope for the marquee, and maybe some of the exterior walls to be saved. Otherwise it's just not a profitable venture. Unless, of course, the city decides it wants to fund the rehab (not happening).