ARTHOUSE HOUSTON SIGNS CONTRACT TO SAVE GARDEN OAKS THEATER, CREATE ARTS & CINEMA HUB FOR HOUSTON

We  plan to reopen the Garden Oaks as a community non-profit owned arts and cinema center and apply for federal & state historic building  designations and protections to secure its future.

This  theater has enormous potential, which includes a 2.3 acre lot and adjoining buildings. With a ton of space for film exhibition, festivals,  artist and teen filmmaking workshops, giving young  filmmakers/actors/artists access to equipment and resources, offices for local arts orgs, a cafe/bar, video store, retail space for local vendors and more.

Your  support now would be instrumental and could be the difference between demolition and the beginning of a new life for this historic cinema and community arts center.

Pledges can be anywhere from  $1,000 to $7M and are commitments that are only collected if we  successfully close on the acquisition. These pledges are vital now, as  they allow us to secure the necessary bridge loans with lenders to  finalize the purchase. 

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. 

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.