final bow?

Beloved River Oaks Theater faces potential shutter due to lease dispute

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The fate of the cinema still hangs in the balance as talks continue.

Photo courtesy of River Oaks Theatre

UPDATE: A protest is planned for Sunday, March 7 at 2 pm at the theater.

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Once again, the fate of a beloved Houston cinematic icon hangs in the balance. Stalling lease negotiations have put the River Oaks Theater’s future in jeopardy. The iconic theater’s lease agreement is coming to an end at the end of March 2021.

“We very much want to come to an agreement with Weingarten Realty and be able to continue to run our preeminent art house community theater,” said Landmark Theatres (which owns the venue) president and COO, Paul Serwitz, in a statement. “However, our lease is quickly coming to an end and, if we are unable to come to terms with our landlord, we will be forced to shutter.”

Property owner Weingarten Realty says the issue comes down to unpaid bills. “Silver Cinema Acquisition Company has been a key component to River Oaks Shopping Center,” a spokesperson for Weingarten Realty tells CultureMap.

“We have continued to work with the company who has not paid rent since March of 2020. Conversations have indicated that their business model does not support paying more than a fraction of the previous rent going forward. Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused many businesses in the entertainment industry, such as theaters, to fail.”

Serwitz points to the recent national economic downturn as a major factor in loss of revenue and the fact that viewers are eschewing theaters and are instead watching from home.

“Obviously, the government mandated closure during the COVID-19 crisis had an enormous impact on our revenue and we are trying to work with Weingarten on a proposal that will be to the benefit of both parties as well as the Houston community,” he said in a statement.

As local film fans are well aware, the River Oaks Theater is a movie palace from bygone days. The venue, which opened in 1939, is cherished for its art deco interior and has won myriad local accolades for its charm and preservation. The landmark also hosted Houston premieres of five of the last 10 Academy Award Best Picture winners.

“The River Oaks Theater has a long, storied history and we are very proud to have owned and operated the theater since 1976,” Serwitz continued. “It would be such a loss for Houston if we have to close our doors after 82 years because of an unwillingness to negotiate to the shared and mutual benefit of both parties.” He also added that “this awful pandemic is not the fault of Landmark Theatres or Weingarten Realty, but we all must be flexible during these trying times.”

This isn’t the first time the River Oaks Theater’s future has been in question. In 2018, as CultureMap reported, Amazon eyed the purchase of Landmark Theatres.

preservation movies

A Montrose jewel box

Charming Montrose townhouse with 2-story atrium hits the market

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

Montrose has long been Houston’s neighborhood for the eclectic, a place where cute bungalows, mom-and-pop shops, and trendy bars and restaurants sit side-by-side. The neighborhood is a microcosm of the city itself: diverse, developing, beloved.

And even as the neighborhood has steadily gentrified, echoes of its past remain. One of those is now for sale. 1507 Harold Street, a remodeled jewel box of a space, is on the market for $950,000 and represented by Tracey Smith of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

The 1950s townhome has fabulous natural light, balconies, a courtyard filled with native plants, and a funky charm that evokes the neighborhood’s past and present.

Painted tile floors and long hallways with splendid light set the tone for this home. They give way to an open, airy arrangement, showing off 1507 Harold’s nearly 3,000 square feet. The three-bedroom, two-bath home is immediately centered in its neighborhood, but also a retreat from the bustling city around it.

If the devil is in the details, 1507 Harold has plenty of them. Think painted clay tiles on the first floor and solid red oak hardwood on the second floor. Add to that custom Pedini Italian kitchen cabinets, Neolith countertops, and a Quemere custom backsplash in the kitchen. See also the epoxied garage floor with glass garage door.

Floor-to-ceiling windows not only let in the natural light, they give 1507 Harold the feeling of being surrounded by nature. That feeling is enhanced by the home's two, second-floor balconies. One of them, off the primary bedroom, overlooks the cloistered courtyard filled with native plants, park bench, and natural seating. The other faces the neighborhood. A two-story atrium provides space for meditation, contemplation, and casual gathering.

The dining room has a dry bar that’s perfect for storage and an Aobosi dual-temperature wine refrigerator. The primary bedroom has built-in bookcases and drawers, and an ensuite bath with soaking tub and shower. Sliding doors lead to the balcony.

The garden’s irrigation system waters plants daily, keeping this green space well-tended.South Texas cactus and olive trees welcome homeowners and visitors at the front entrance.

The home's welcoming vibe has to be seen to be believed. It’s rarely been on the market, and the odds are high that its next owners will keep it for a very long time. It’s just that kind of place.

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

home-for-sale

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