A century-old movie house on Hamilton Avenue in Cincinnati's Northside neighborhood is getting a second act as a live performance venue. NEST, Northside's community development corporation, has selected American Legacy Theatre and Park Theatre Group as the future tenants of the historic Park Theatre, with a full rehabilitation expected to bring the building back to life in 2028.
The building at 4157 Hamilton Avenue opened in 1913 as the Park Motion Picture Theatre and Billiard Room, according to Local 12. Cinema Treasures, however, dates the actual construction of the building to 1887, years before its run as a movie theater began. NEST acquired the property from Mark Lawson through a limited liability company in 2025, according to WhatNow, which reports the building spans 8,300 square feet — though Cinema Treasures puts the figure at 8,193 square feet. NEST's own site states the purchase came through a grant from the City of Cincinnati and HomeBase Cincinnati's Quick Strike Fund.
Before it sat vacant, the Park Theatre most recently housed a used appliance business and, before that, served for years as home to Grote Bakery, per the same WhatNow report. NEST invited community members to share ideas for the property's future before issuing a request for proposals, holding a community engagement event in May 2025. Rachel Hastings said the building was built for the community and had not been that way for 50 years, and that Northside residents expressed interest in an active space for gathering beyond homes and workplaces.
Two Groups, One Historic Stage
American Legacy Theatre, which has operated for 10 years, will use the renovated building as its permanent home and plans to expand its theatrical productions and educational programming, the report notes. The company says it will continue bringing performances and initiatives to schools, neighborhoods and audiences throughout the region. Matthew David Gellin, the organization's CEO and executive artistic director, said per the Cincinnati Business Courier that the new space would allow American Legacy Theatre to expand its work while serving regional schools, neighborhoods and audiences.
Park Theatre Group, which includes artists, performers and community members, plans to use the venue for performances, comedy shows, local artist showcases, educational opportunities and community gatherings. Christopher Filippi, the group's chief operating officer, said the group aims to create a welcoming space focused on creativity and community. American Legacy Theatre expects to offer pay-what-you-can options for its programs, according to Local 12, and both organizations will contribute rent payments toward the project.
Renovation Underway, Budget Still Taking Shape
Drawing Dept, an architecture and design firm, will collaborate on the renovation alongside Common Bond Consulting, a historic preservation firm, and NEST. The renovation team will develop the building design, construction budget and financing plan, with NEST initially estimating the project will cost between $2 million and $3 million.
Work has already begun on property stabilization, including a roof replacement and interior demolition, Local 12 reports. Crews are removing false ceilings and walls to reveal the full scope of the space, and the renovation will require installing new bathrooms. The project team plans to spend the next year advancing the design, finalizing a budget and developing a financing plan — no construction start date has been announced.
NEST plans to pursue support through the city's neighborhood development fund and private-sector contributions to help close the gap. Separately, Spectrum News 1 reports NEST received a $275,000 grant to help stabilize the Park Theatre, part of Cincinnati's Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program, which has backed similar revitalization efforts for more than 30 years and is piloting a new funding category to help under-resourced neighborhoods plan future projects.
Part of a Wider Pattern for Cincinnati's Old Theaters
The Park Theatre isn't the only old Cincinnati movie house getting a second life. On the city's west side, Westwood Works became the new owner of the historic Westwood Theatre, with plans to convert it into an arts, cultural, and events space, according to Local 12's coverage of that project. That development team closed on the Westwood property after a year of preconstruction evaluations and due diligence, and the project also received support through the city's Quick Strike program — the same funding source that helped NEST acquire the Park Theatre.
Once renovated, the Park Theatre is expected to serve as a destination for live entertainment, arts education and neighborhood gatherings, giving Northside a community hub for performances and local events that organizers say the neighborhood has been missing for decades.
