Historic Fox Theater for sale again
This shows one option for the Fox Theater in downtown Paso Robles.
A downtown Paso Robles icon, the Fox Theater at 1436 Spring St., is on the market again. Though it has been in escrow in the past, the sales have not gone through, says local real estate agent Keith Gillis with Prime Commercial California.
Prime Commercial has had the Fox Theater on the market since Oct. 16, 2014 on behalf of the owner, John Turano of Turano, Turano and Thompson Incorporated. The building has been for sale off and on over the years. Turano has owned the property since 2001.
The building was originally constructed in 1922 and used as a VFW, Gillis said. In 1940, it was the Hi Ho Theater until it was converted to the Fox Theater in 1957. Gillis does not know when the Fox Theater stopped operating at that location, but said that the theater was the last use. CinemaTour.com reports that the theater closed in 1980. The building has since been gutted. Gillis said that it is basically a shell, just four walls. The front corners will need to be enforced, he said, and the rear wall replaced. But the beams throughout are all original.
“We’re trying to find something that adds value to the community,” Gillis said. The building could be used for a variety of uses, he said. Prime Commercial put up several renderings and floor plans showing different possibilities: theater, restaurant, nightclub, microbrewery, executive office and more. He said that it could be either one story or two.
The Paso Robles Planning Department said that conceptual designs have been developed and even shown to the city, but nothing formally submitted to the city for approval, at least in the last few years. The building has the same zoning as the business located around Downtown City Park. That zoning is general commercial use, which include restaurants, theaters and other retail. If the building includes an allowed use, it won’t need to go through a more rigorous permitting processes, such as if a third story were to be added.
In the three months that the building has been listed for sale, Gillis said that he has received a high number of calls from people interested. “I’ve been surprised at how much interest there has been in the building,” he said. He said there has been a range of people interested, including foreign investors. He said he hopes the new use fits the historic building and brings value to Paso Robles.
The Fox Theater building is listed for $490,000.
We need an awesome downtown music venue!
I think a little smooth jazz, low lighting and cocktails will fill this place up real nice. maybe some comedy nights with local talent. I can see this place being a hit and the design of the outside is already perfect for an older style look. I'd go once a week at least!
The city needs to help find a way for parking. Ever since I was little I wanted to own that place.
It closed in the winter of '85. At the time it and the drive in that was were Target is, were both owned by the same party I believe. They both put up signs that said…………closed for the winter. I remember this because it stayed that way for a couple two or three years before they finally took that down, as obviously they weren't reopening. Neither saw business again. One of the last movies I remember seeing there was Back to the Future.
Oh and you always had to watch going with friends. There could be four of you, you would get down the aisle and start taking your seats and as you went to pull yours down…………………no seat. There was quiet a few missing throughout the theater. Balcony was always a fun place to hang.
How I would love to see this facility converted to a theatre similar to the Palm in San Luis Obispo. Nothing against the Park theatre, but Paso Robles can definitely support a theatre not catering to the lowest common denominator…nuff' said!
It would be wonderful if they made it into a community theatre so that the community can benefit from it for all ages!
Put another theater in.
I remember seeing a movie there where Patty McCormack "broke my heart" as an adolescent, then I saw Pollyanna, when my cousin, Terry Rude, screamed out loud at an "appropriate time" but got tossed out by the manager! I guess he had a "reputation?"
What a great tax write off this would be if the owner dedicated it to the community for a community theatre. Once established we can have music and acting lessons and provide a season of shows that the community can learn from. Also a showcase for our many talented play writers to do a one act show to get material seen.
I'm IN!
Tried to buy the Fox several years ago. The concept was to renovate into a performing arts facility, but it's really too small to compete with actual PAC venues. It would however make a great local entertainment space for: live music, comedy, art or community theater – something that can be done on a small stage. Also could have offices on 2nd floor (need to build it) for creative ventures. BUT it will cost a lot of money. Any takers . . . ?
We need an awesome downtown music venue!
I think a little smooth jazz, low lighting and cocktails will fill this place up real nice. maybe some comedy nights with local talent. I can see this place being a hit and the design of the outside is already perfect for an older style look. I'd go once a week at least!
The city needs to help find a way for parking. Ever since I was little I wanted to own that place.
It closed in the winter of '85. At the time it and the drive in that was were Target is, were both owned by the same party I believe. They both put up signs that said…………closed for the winter. I remember this because it stayed that way for a couple two or three years before they finally took that down, as obviously they weren't reopening. Neither saw business again. One of the last movies I remember seeing there was Back to the Future.
Oh and you always had to watch going with friends. There could be four of you, you would get down the aisle and start taking your seats and as you went to pull yours down…………………no seat. There was quiet a few missing throughout the theater. Balcony was always a fun place to hang.
How I would love to see this facility converted to a theatre similar to the Palm in San Luis Obispo. Nothing against the Park theatre, but Paso Robles can definitely support a theatre not catering to the lowest common denominator…nuff' said!
It would be wonderful if they made it into a community theatre so that the community can benefit from it for all ages!
Put another theater in.
I remember seeing a movie there where Patty McCormack "broke my heart" as an adolescent, then I saw Pollyanna, when my cousin, Terry Rude, screamed out loud at an "appropriate time" but got tossed out by the manager! I guess he had a "reputation?"
What a great tax write off this would be if the owner dedicated it to the community for a community theatre. Once established we can have music and acting lessons and provide a season of shows that the community can learn from. Also a showcase for our many talented play writers to do a one act show to get material seen.
I'm IN!
Tried to buy the Fox several years ago. The concept was to renovate into a performing arts facility, but it's really too small to compete with actual PAC venues. It would however make a great local entertainment space for: live music, comedy, art or community theater – something that can be done on a small stage. Also could have offices on 2nd floor (need to build it) for creative ventures. BUT it will cost a lot of money. Any takers . . . ?