Alexandria Theater Sold, Closes Doors

 
photo: Philip Liborio Gangi

The Alexandria Theater, located on Geary Boulevard at 18th Avenue, closed its doors for good Feb. 16. Housing is planned to be constructed at the site of the theater and its parking lot.

 

The Alexandria Theater, a landmark in the Richmond District since 1923, was sold to a group of investors for $6.5 million in February.

Plans for the 1,000 plus-seat triplex and its adjacent parking lot are not yet known, but the agent for a group of investors who brought the property, Patrick Lui, of Coldwell Banker, said the new owners will be making an announcement in the near future.

Lui would not confirm whether or not the new owners plan to replace the theater with a bank and retail stores and build housing on the theater’s parking lot.

The fate of the popular theater has been a question mark since 2002, when the Regal Entertainment Group, the owner of the theater, put the property on the market.

At that time several companies expressed an interest in the property, including Sunnyvale developer Yamayoka Companies, but nothing was pursued.

"The economics didn't work out," said Lou Vasquez, vice president of construction for Yamayoka Companies, at the time.

An official with the SF Planning Department said the property is zoned for moderately-scaled, mixed-use development, which includes residential, business and retail establishments. Fast food restaurants are not allowed because of their dominance and proliferation.

"We are going to keep an eye on the Alexandria and, as details become available, we will examine our options," he said.

With the Alexandria closed, the Bridge, Balboa and Four Star will be the only three remaining neighborhood theaters in the Richmond District.

The single-screen Coronet Theater was purchased by the Institute on Aging in the summer of 2000 from United Artists. Plans are underway to build a low-income apartment complex with health and recreational services for senior citizens.

- Carol Dimmick