July 14, 2017 – West Bend, WI – The downtown West Bend Theater has been sold.
A plan to restore a historic theater in downtown West Bend is taking a step forward with the sale of the building to a nonprofit group.
Historic West Bend Theatre Inc. on Friday bought the West Bend Theatre, 125 N. Main St., for $250,000 from Ascendant Holdings LLC, said John Torinus, the group’s spokesman.
That group wants to convert the former cinema into a venue for classic and children’s movies, plays by local theater groups, music and comedy shows, and events such as weddings and corporate meetings. The project architect is Scott Georgeson, who operates Milwaukee-based Orchestra Design Studio.
The organization is starting a campaign to raise $1.5 million to $3 million for the restoration, Torinus said. The extent of the renovations will depend on how much funds can be raised, he said. A tentative timeline calls for a fall 2018 opening.
The West Bend Theatre opened in 1929 and stopped showing movies in 2006.