The summer blockbuster season is in full swing after the release of Jurassic World Rebirth and the upcoming release of Superman - yet the Castro Theatre's doors remain closed for another year as the theatre undergoes much-needed renovations.
While the theatre might be closed, renovation and restoration work are ongoing. On Sunday, overnight construction began outside the Castro Theatre to upgrade its electrical system.
Hoodline was alerted to the construction by an email on Friday from Castro Merchants President Nate Bourg about the upcoming work.
Construction crews were out Sunday night. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
"We’d like to give you a heads-up about upcoming nighttime trench work related to the new PG&E service for the Castro Theatre," said Bourg. "This work is scheduled to take place between 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM, starting July 6th and continuing through mid-August, and it should not affect daytime parking."
Bourg tells Hoodline that Mary Conde, Another Planet Entertainment's senior vice president, informed them of the construction on Wednesday, July 2nd. APE took over management of the theatre in 2022 while the Nasser Family maintains ownership.
APE spokesperson David Perry confirmed the construction work and that Castro St would remain open.
"No street closures are planned at this time," said Perry. "We don’t know 100% what will be under the street because the neighborhood is so old."
Hoodline reached out to SFMTA and District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman's office for comment, but did not receive a response.
Trench work is scheduled through August 4. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Notices posted in the area indicate construction will happen Monday to Friday between July 6 to August 4 from 7 pm to 4 am. A few of the notices have incorrect times.
APE tells Hoodline construction will only happen Sunday to Wednesday, with no work Thursday to Saturday. "We want to minimize impacts to restaurants and nightlife," said APE.
Trench work will occur on the sidewalk outside the theatre on the east side of Castro Street. Work will go up the sidewalk a few storefronts, then cut directly across Castro Street, and up the middle of the street to the Bank of America Building (now Soulcycle).
"At that point, it will turn west and tie into the PG&E vault at that location," explained Bourg.
Trenching will go across Castro Street to this underground vault in the bus stop. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Visiting the site on Sunday evening, Hoodline observed Ransome Company construction workers on site. Underground Service Alert (USA) markings were spray-painted on the sidewalk up to Lisa Hair Design. A worker told Hoodline that Castro Street will remain open during construction.
With the start of underground work, it appears that an issue from earlier this year about upgrading the electrical system at the Castro Theatre between APE and PG&E has been cleared up. As Hoodline previously reported, APE project manager Margaret Casey explained that this issue with PG&E delayed the renovation project.
"Our current issue is PG&E," explained Casey. "We need to add power for our lighting and sound systems. We have a couple different options for where we draw power from — one is simple and easy, one is complicated — and we have no control over any of that, so we have been very much in a holding pattern."
Notices have been posted along Castro St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
A PG&E spokesperson challenged those claims and stated, "PG&E has completed the contract for this project."
"We continue to wait for Another Planet to trench to the connection point agreed upon in November," the spokesperson stated. "Once the company completes the trenching work and passes inspections, PG&E can schedule the construction work for energization."
It's unclear if the trench work will cause traffic disruptions, bus rerouting, or sidewalk closures. "It should not affect daytime parking," said Bourg.
Underground Service Alert markings on the sidewalk. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
It's been nearly a year and a half since Another Planet Entertainment (APE) kicked off its now $40 million restoration of the historic Castro Theatre. Earlier this year, Hoodline reported that the Castro Theatre's reopening had been pushed back until late 2025 or beyond.
Originally, APE planned to reopen the theatre after an 18-month renovation by Summer 2025. An "Updates" section on the Castro Theatre website has still not been updated since last summer by APE.
Last month, the large Art Deco chandelier could be seen being returned to the theatre in pieces after it was fully restored. Additionally, a large crane was used to install HVAC equipment on the roof.
On Monday, APE announced that the Castro Theatre is accepting bookings for March 2026 and beyond.
Castro Theatre chandelier being returned on June 5. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Two adjacent businesses renting space from the Nasser Family, who own the theatre and the two storefronts, remain uncertain of their future as they attempt to negotiate new leases.
Castro Coffee Company and Castro Nail Salon were set to depart on June 30, but both businesses remain. Castro Nail Salon owner Riyad Khoury tells Hoodline that the Nasser Family has yet to serve them with an eviction notice.
Over the weekend, signs and posters about the displacement hanging in the windows were taken down. Khoury tells Hoodline that Mayor Daniel Lurie has gotten involved in negotiations.
Signs, posters, and petitions at Castro Nail Salon and Castro Coffee Company have been taken down. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Khoury says Mayor Lurie has set a 60-day timeframe. Despite repeated requests, Mayor Lurie has declined to answer questions from Hoodline about this situation.
"That's an unknown really, and that's what we're dealing with," said Khoury about the deadline.
"We trust that the mayor and supervisor do the right thing for us and the community," added Khoury. "As you know, the community is not only upset but outright angry."
