Plans for theater to keep historic facade intact
By: John Upton
September 1, 2009
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| Ever changing: The Harding in Alamo Square was built in 1926 to show movies and was later adapted for live theater. It was purchased by a church in the 1970s. (Examiner file photo) |
The entire historic facade of the vacant Harding Theater in Alamo Square would be preserved and rehabilitated under the latest proposal to build shops and condos at the site.
An application to demolish the deserted theater at Divisadero and Hayes streets and replace it with a trio of four-story condo buildings was approved by city planners in late 2004, but appeals by neighbors and preservationists successfully blocked the plans.
The Harding was built in 1926 as a movie theater and was later adapted to be used for live performances. It was purchased in the 1970s by a church, which covered over the original stage with boards.
In November, revised plans filed by property owner Michael Klestoff to partly preserve and partly demolish the theater were put on hold after city officials sided with preservationists and said an environmental impact report was needed before permits could be issued.
After that ruling, Klestoff put the property on the market, but he continued refining his plans in hopes of avoiding completion of the costly environmental report.
Under Klestoff’s latest proposal, two ground-floor stores would face Divisadero Street through windows in the original facade, additional stores would be built into the building, and a marquee and sign that previously adorned the front entrance would be replaced.
The main auditorium and mezzanine would be preserved, but the backstage and much of the rear of the building, including the so-called fly space, which was built above the original stage to support live acts, would be demolished to make way for a five-story condo building.
Planning Director John Rahaim said plans to demolish the fly space mean Klestoff will still need to complete an environmental impact report.
“There’s a question that has to be answered as to whether the fly space is historically significant,” Rahaim said.
Klestoff said he hasn’t decided whether to move forward if an environmental report is required. Such reports can take more than a year to complete and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, he said.
“The building is for sale,” Klestoff said. “If somebody is interested, we’d be more than happy to sell it.”
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi is anxious for a project to move forward at the blighted theater and plans to arrange meetings with neighbors and Klestoff, said aide Rick Galbraith.
