Friends of River Oaks Theatre, DBA Arthouse Houston, is a 501c3 community non-profit. All amounts contributed to this fund are tax deductible to the full extent of the law as charitable donations, and will go towards the purchase and preservation of the Garden Oaks Theater.

This could be the start of a new Cultural Arts District—The near north neighborhood including: Heights, Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, Independence Heights and Acres Homes area, is one of the fastest growing areas in Houston. This could be a vibrant third space and first of its kind—a  community arts & film center for the whole city.  

Historic Designations & Tax Credits—

We have hired a firm to get the property qualified, and on closing day we have plans to immediately start applications for National, State, and City historic designation, protection, and tax credits which could qualify for up to 45% of renovation expenses or $1.8mm. 

Restoration & Renovation Work—

We engaged the sign company who restored the River Oaks Theatre exterior, who have retrieved the Garden Oaks blade sign and are evaluating needs now to have it fully restored.

Arthouse Houston’s potential acquisition of the Garden Oaks Theater represents a rare opportunity for Houston to preserve its architectural history and establish this theater as a designated protected landmark, so that it may continue to be a vibrant part of our city as a community arts and film center.

For more information about giving to this campaign reach out at info@arthousehtx.org

On Feb. 27th, 2026 Arthouse Houston entered into a contract to purchase the historic Garden Oaks Theater. Sister theater to the River Oaks Theatre, the Garden Oaks is one of the few remaining art-deco style theaters remaining in Houston. Community non-profit Arthouse Houston is announcing a capital campaign to raise funds to fully fund closing within the next 30 days, with two possible options to extend for 30 additional days. Failure to reach these goals in time will result in the immediate demolition of the Garden Oaks Theater. Time is of the essence, so please act now. 

Opened in 1947, thousands of families and individuals have fond memories of the Garden Oaks Theater as a cultural institution and place of worship—a vibrant third space for the Houston community.  Upon discovering the theater was scheduled for demolition, Arthouse Houston immediately intervened to help preserve this historic cinema and architectural treasure.  

Thank you to everyone who made calls, showed up to protest, signed the petition and raised your voices to make this happen. Thank you to Mayor Whitmire, Council Members Castillo, Kamin, Alcorn and all our friends at City Hall for your support and help facilitating communication. Arthouse Houston and the developer have taken the first steps towards preservation by agreeing to sell the property to community non-profit Arthouse Houston–but the effort is not over yet.

With the support of a small group of angel donors, Arthouse Houston has raised a partial deposit to delay demolition but has a very short window to raise the full purchase price of $7.1 million in donations to close on the contract.

To reach necessary financial goals, Arthouse is launching an intensive capital campaign to raise the required funds, and welcomes individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations–large or small– to join the effort to save this cinematic and architectural landmark by contributing to Arthouse Houston’s Preservation Fund. All amounts contributed to this fund, which are tax deductible to the full extent of the law as charitable donations, will go towards the purchase and preservation of the Garden Oaks Theater.

The purchase contract signed with the current owner guarantees the original tower sign, which was removed in February, will be returned. If this sale is successful we will restore and reinstall the sign on the  building, along with recreating original neon on the marquee and facade. 

As a Houston-based nonprofit, Arthouse Houston is committed to working with neighbors, local leaders, and supporters across the city to preserve and protect this theater for Houston. As an owner of the property, Arthouse Houston would apply for historic designations that offer tax credits of up to 45% for preservation and restoration of the theater’s historic elements.

The Garden Oaks Theater is one of several post-war Houston theaters designed for the Interstate Circuit by H.F. Pettigrew and John A. Worley of the Dallas firm Pettigrew & Worley, alongside its sister cinema, the River Oaks Theatre. It is a classic example of streamlined Art Deco design—an architectural gem that connects Houston’s everyday streetscape to its cinematic past.

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