The historic Castro Theatre in the heart of one of San Francisco’s most colorful neighborhoods will reopen Friday after years of major renovations to its interior and facade.
Production company Another Planet Entertainment partnered with the Castro Theatre’s owners to invest over $41 million in lighting, sound systems, and repairing deteriorating parts of the building. The goal is to expand the variety of entertainment experiences for audiences at the historically designated landmark.
Located in the center of the Castro neighborhood, San Francisco’s LGBTQ cultural district, the theater was built in 1922 and will be host to a music residency, comedy shows, and a robust lineup of movies.
Another Planet Entertainment partnered with the Castro Theatre’s owners in 2020 to modernize the facilities and address years of neglected maintenance. The production company operates other Bay Area venues such as the Fox Theater in Oakland, Berkeley’s Greek Theatre, and the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
Another Planet Entertainment senior vice president Mary Conde said the company was looking for a mid-sized venue for their portfolio. She said the company also wanted to help restore an important part of the San Francisco community.
“It had been in our business plan for years to find a venue around 1,400 seats,” said Conde. “The Nasser family, who own the theater, met with a team of preservation specialists in 2018 and we knew that their business model was not sustainable.”
Prior to the renovation, the Castro Theatre had critical building deficiencies — water damage, asbestos, lead, outdated wiring, and lack of safety systems — that necessitated urgent intervention to preserve the historic venue.
Costs rose from $20 million to over $41 million after inspections found parts of the building had more damage than estimated.
With major issues addressed, Conde said the focus now is making the theater a more versatile space. She said that during the renovation, they dedicated to preserving the historic elements of the theater while also introducing modern sound and lighting systems.
A new heating and ventilation system will make it more comfortable for attendees, and a retractable seating area will create a standing room-only space for select performances.
The theater’s intricate sgraffito clay murals were restored by hand. Years of cigarette smoke had left a gray residue on the art and needed to be carefully removed.
The colorful chandelier and neon blade sign were updated with new wiring that would minimize safety hazards.
For people living in the area, the Castro Theatre not only represents an entertainment space, but stands as a symbol to the presence of the LGBTQ community.
Anthony Gonzalez, a San Francisco resident, was taking pictures of the new marquee with a friend. He moved in 2021 and said he did not get a chance to visit before the renovations.
“I’m always in the Castro and I see the giant flashing light of the building all the time,” said Gonzalez. “It’s almost like a mystery of what’s inside. I plan on buying a ticket when there’s a movie or performer that I like that is performing inside there.”
Dominic Johnson, who was visiting from Los Angeles, said the neighborhood was special because of buildings like the Castro Theatre. They said the charm of San Francisco is due in part to its desire to be different.
“I live in West Hollywood, and everything has very bright lights and can get overwhelming,” said Johnson. “I am ready to attend Sam Smith’s residency here and I am even more excited will be at a historic place in LGBTQ history.”
For more information, visit thecastro.com.
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