Court-ordered sale could mean show is over for landmark former theatre
The old Kenmore theatre on King Street West could face demolition following a planned sale, but the current owner is still hoping the building can be saved.
The rundown building at 434 King St. W. started life in the 1920s as the Kenmore Theater, once hosted the CHCH Telecentre and featured live performances as recently as 2017 under the name Lyric Theatre.
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White bought the building in 2018 hoping to rejuvenate the dilapidated theatre as part of a six-storey, mixed-use project meant to host both residential units and entertainment space. Project renderings and a presentation to the city’s design review panel are still visible online at website housetheatre.ca, which at one point predicted an opening in 2022.
A rendering of a recent plan for an unrealized redevelopment of the former Kenmore Theatre on King Street West.
housetheatre.ca
But when the pandemic hit, White said prospective financing for the multimillion-dollar project dried up. Other obstacles arose, like storm-related damage to the distinctive marquee that overhangs the sidewalk, resulting in a municipal safety order.
“I basically ran out of money to move forward,” White said in a phone interview. “It has been very stressful.”
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White put the building up for sale last year, marketing it alongside the planned redevelopment project as a package. No purchaser stepped up.
Now, one of the mortgage-holders on the property has won a default judgment that includes a planned court-ordered sale of the land and building.
As part of that process, an appraisal was conducted valuing the property at around $1.5 million. But the appraisal also noted a “poor state of repair” and suggested the “highest, best use” of the property involves demolishing the existing structure in favour of a new, denser development.
White — who hasn’t given up hope of retaining the property, despite the impending sale process — said he disagrees with the assessment of the building.
He argued nearly $500,000 has been spent in recent years replacing the theatre roof and repairing some exterior brick.
“I think it is a … beautiful building. It should not be torn down,” said White, who hinted a “grassroots” campaign aimed at saving the live performance venue and artist space could start up in the coming days. “The last thing this neighbourhood needs is yet another condo tower.”
A public sales listing has not yet appeared online.
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