Historic Theatre on Route 66 for sale

posted by Kirstenm on August 24, 2009 at 7:45 am

NEEDLES, CA — The Needles Theatre/Masonic Temple was built in 1929 and has played a very big part in the social and cultural history of the city. After being vacant for several years and showing some signs of neglect, my wife and I purchased it from the city with the intent of initiating a downtown revitalization effort. After hundreds of hours of labor, our efforts have been slowed by the birth of our twins. We no longer have the luxuries of spare time to restore the theatre to its rightful place, thus we are reluctantly putting it up for sale.

Since we began our efforts, the El Garces Harvey House and Train Station (built in 1908)has begun renovation work to open as a luxury hotel and restaurant only one block away from the theatre. Also, this past Monday, the Palo Verde College has opened up their doors in the restored art deco style building that used be Claypool’s Department Store; it originally opened it’s doors in 1930 only one block away from the theatre.

The theate building is 15,000 sf total and has (2) 450 sf office or retail spaces on the ground floor which fronts historic Route 66. One office is nearing occupancy, the other would need additional elbow grease and heart. The Friends of the Needles Theatre has restored the neon-lit marquee. This is a truly unique opportunity if you have had the dream and have the heart. The Needles Theatre building is eligible for the National Historic Register and we can help a new owner towards those ends, providing some opportunity for federal grants.

We are looking for a sale or trade. Please respond only to my wife and I at , or 760.326.7020 days …

Theaters in this post

• Needles Theatre