Update Feb. 28: Arthouse Houston has 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.
If this purchase is successful, the original marque tower that was removed from the theater will be returned and reinstalled, as well as extensive restoration work to the interior and exterior.
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.
