![]() Cities like Los Angeles where the artistic demographic thrives would never consider something like this portion of Bascom and the theater building in particular to be a lost cause, but rather an opportunity to promote commerce with character. This stretch is ripe for revitalization and could become a destination commercial district once again. It’s classic midcentury moderne and could resume its role as the cornerstone of the business district on Bascom between 280 and San Carlos, flanked at the other end by the Time Market clock and the rounded former British Motors showroom across the street, creating a pink promenade (minus the poodle’s sleaze, please). The Burbank Theater is anything but plain vanilla. Nobody at City Hall demands better from the developers’ architects. Lately, the glass high rise towers that have popped up all over downtown have created visual monotony. The last thing this town needs is more of that uninspired garbage. If you want examples of plain vanilla, look no further than Frank Taylor’s 1980s drab beige redevelopment projects and low-rise apartment buildings, along with the mid-rise apartment buildings that have gone up in recent years. “We hope the city will work with any future potential developers to preserve, restore and incorporate the iconic ‘Burbank Tower,’ along with the marquee, portions of the facade and entrance-way tilework into any new development,” Ames wrote to council. ![]() Lawrence Ames, chair of the District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Group, said he supports development and annexation, but hopes the new plan will immortalize some of the Burbank Theater’s historic elements. “But a lot of businesses around the area are interested to see what happens here.” “This has taken a back burner for the investors,” he told San José Spotlight. He said the site has two potential buyers who aren’t interested in preserving the historical aspect of the theater, and not much has changed. ![]() ![]() Tru Investments bought the theater in 2021 for $1.6 million at an auction. Steven Ou, the real estate agent representing the owners of Tru Investments, previously told San José Spotlight they’re looking to sell the property for approximately $3 million to a developer who can transform it into a mixed-use building with storefronts on the first floor and housing above. “Somebody buys the property without a plan and then just sort of waits for them to fall apart or to burn down.” “Unfortunately, that is the pattern with challenging sites like Burbank Theater,” Leech told San José Spotlight. The property has become more blighted in recent years due to break ins and damage from rain, Leech said. Residents and policymakers have attempted to revitalize the two-story building-with dance studios and a vision of an Islamic center-to little success. UPDATE: San Jose’s historic Burbank Theater sells for $1.6 million at auction The building became further underutilized after it lost its parking lot to make way for Interstate 280. As movie theaters declined in popularity in the 1970s, the Burbank Theater pivoted to showing adult films. Bascom Ave., was a classic neighborhood movie theater that turned into an eyesore over the years. The Burbank Theater, built in 1949 at 552-560 S. It’s currently listed as part of the Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory. ![]() “Upon LAFCO’s approval, the annexation is official and is not contingent upon any development proposal,” Wessling told San José Spotlight.īen Leech, executive director of the Preservation Action Council of San Jose, supports annexation, but said he wants the city to designate the theater as a historic landmark and revitalize the space without tearing it down. The process will take about three weeks, according to Cheryl Wessling, spokesperson for the city’s planning, building and code enforcement department. The annexation enables a developer to create a larger footprint due to changes related to required parking, though plans for the building are unclear.īefore annexation is official, the council’s decision needs review and certification by the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County (LAFCO). The San Jose City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to annex nearly an acre of land that’s home to the 74-year-old Burbank Theater at the intersection of South Bascom and Parkmoor avenues. A dilapidated theater is ready to be annexed into San Jose. ![]()
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