A historic theater in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood is preparing for a new chapter, with American Legacy Theatre and Park Theatre Group set to become tenants following a full renovation.
The Park Theatre, located at 4157 Hamilton Ave., most recently housed a used appliance business. The 8,300-square-foot building is expected to reopen in 2028 after undergoing a complete rehabilitation, according to the Business Journal.
Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation (NEST), Northside’s community development corporation, acquired the property in 2025 from Mark Lawson through a limited liability company. The organization plans to restore the building as a community gathering place, bringing performances, educational programming, and other activities back to the historic venue.
The building first opened in 1913 as the Park Motion Picture Theatre and Billiard Room. It also served as a longtime location for Grote Bakery.
After acquiring the property, NEST invited community members to share their ideas for its future before issuing a request for proposals. According to NEST Executive Director Rachel Hastings, residents expressed interest in creating an active space where people could gather beyond their homes and workplaces.
“This building was built as a place for the community, and it has not been that way for 50 years,” Hastings told the Cincinnati Business Courier.
American Legacy Theatre, a community theater organization celebrating 10 years of operation, will use the renovated building as its permanent home. The organization plans to expand its theatrical productions and educational programming while continuing to bring performances and other initiatives to schools, neighborhoods and audiences throughout the region.
American Legacy Theatre CEO and Executive Artistic Director Matthew David Gellin told the publication above that the new space would allow the organization to expand its work while continuing to bring productions and educational programming to schools, neighborhoods and audiences throughout the region.
The Park Theatre Group will also occupy the building. The collective of artists, performers and community members plans to use the venue for performances, comedy shows, local artist showcases, educational opportunities and community gatherings.
Chief Operating Officer Christopher Filippi said the group hopes to create a welcoming environment centered on creativity and community.
“We’re eager to bring the historic Park Theatre back to life and create a welcoming space in the heart of Northside where creativity thrives, and community comes first,” Filippi said.
The renovation will involve a collaboration between architecture and design firm Drawing Dept, historic preservation firm Common Bond Consulting, and NEST. The teams will develop the building’s design, construction budget, and financing plan.
NEST initially estimates the project will cost between $2 million and $3 million. Work has already begun to stabilize the property, including roof replacement and interior demolition to remove false ceilings and walls and reveal the full scope of the space. New bathrooms will also need to be installed.
To help fund the project, NEST plans to pursue support through the city’s neighborhood development fund and private-sector contributions. American Legacy Theatre and Park Theatre Group will also contribute through rent payments.
Once renovations are complete, the Park Theatre is expected to serve as a community-focused destination for live entertainment, arts education, and neighborhood gatherings.
WhatNow has reached out to American Legacy Theatre and NEST for additional information about the project and its anticipated reopening. This article will be updated as more details become available.
