The once-vibrant Empire Theater, located at 85 West Portal Avenue, is slated for significant change, with the filing of preliminary permits to demolish the currently vacant landmark and make way for a new nine-story apartment complex. This development, incorporating ground-floor retail space, marks a substantial transformation for San Francisco's West Portal neighborhood. Empire West Portal, LLC, headed by co-managing member Jesse Appleton, is spearheading the initiative, as detailed by SF YIMBY.
The plan for the 119-foot-tall structure estimates a total area of approximately 113,670 square feet, which includes 93,920 square feet dedicated to housing, 4,095 square feet assigned to the retail segment, and 15,650 square feet allocated for basement parking. Once completed, this project promises to offer 64 rental apartments, featuring a varied mix of 16 one-bedroom, 36 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom units. The ratio of parking spaces is planned to be 27 for cars and 71 for bicycles; however, concerns about the impact on local traffic and neighborhood aesthetics have been voiced, casting a shadow over these modern accommodations.
The Empire Theater has been unoccupied since Cinemark terminated operations in February 2021. Attempts by the owners to restore it as a movie theater proved infeasible, with options extinguished by the state of disrepair and the recent debut of a new multiplex nearby. According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, Appleton acquired the building with his brother and a friend back in July 2021, with the intent of preserving the family's century-old legacy in the community.
State legislation, namely Assembly Bill 2011 and the State Density Bonus law, has been invoked to facilitate the development of the residential project amidst commercial zoning, providing a streamlined approval process. The legislation will help achieve a 100% density bonus, creating space for below-market-rate units intended for both very low- and moderate-income households.
This project has garnered the endorsement of Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who represents the West Portal area. Despite anticipation of resistance from some local merchants and residents, "I want more family housing and I want more rental units specifically, so I’m glad that’s what we are getting," Melgar elaborated in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. The redevelopment comes at a time when West Portal has been experiencing a surge in new eateries and retail, signaling a potential revival of the commercial corridor.
Designs for the building are being managed by Handel Architects, with additional input from Michael and Andrew Appleton, relatives of Jesse, and architects with an established practice in San Francisco. The new complex will honor the original Empire Theater's Art Deco roots in the podium design, facing West Portal and integrating the building lobby and commercial spaces. The project's timeline and financial details remain under wraps, and the team has yet to respond to requests for comments on these aspects. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.
