Plans to turn the Harding Theater at 616 Divisadero St into a "barcade" called Emporium SF could move forward this week.
The San Francisco Planning Commission is expected to vote on the plan, which would preserve the existing building, renovating the damaged interior and theater for the arcade and bar and add a new five-story building with seven residential units. Michael Klestoff, who owns the Harding Theater, tells us he hopes the planning commission will support the project, since it will activate the Harding Theater and provide additional housing. (The rendering above shows the theater and the new residential building from the corner of Divisadero and Hayes streets.) The theater, which went from a movie theater to a live performance venue to housing a church, has been vacant since 2004. During that time, it has fallen into disrepair, but plans for the site repeatedly met with community resistance.
Renovations would include getting it up to code and adding three bar areas. "All significant character-defining spaces and details will remain," the development team says. The only removal would be a mechanical room attached to the south side.
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