San Francisco’s 112-year-old Clay Theater, which has been closed since early 2020, is in the process of being restored.
The San Francisco Standard reports the movie theater’s owner, venture capitalist Neil Mehta, announced plans to begin extensive renovations on the historic property. When the restoration is finished, Mehta plans to host more than 500 screenings annually at the 200-seat theater, with filmmaker talks and presentations of classic films. Ted Gerike, founder of the Los Angeles cinema and bookstore Now Instant Image Hall, was hired as the theater’s creative director.
Cody Allen, Mehta’s partner in this project, said it was too early to provide a timeline for the construction and reopening.
“The theater’s current condition necessitates extensive rehabilitation work, and this will take time,” said Allen, executive director of the Upper Fillmore Revitalization Project.
The theater is among several building that Mehta acquired along Fillmore Street in San Francisco in 2024. The Fillmore Merchants Association released a statement cheering the Clay Theater’s return to operations, calling it “an investment in the vibrant, connected future of our neighborhood.”
Photo: Gerry Brague / Flickr Creative Commons
