^^ Jubilee still owns it. Their website still advertises it as a future venue and the website for the theater itself is still active. There have been no updates since 2017, however.
This would be the best realistic result, imo. If not, a similar alternative would be to become part of the Marriott conference center. It's close enough to both to share staff and facilities (ideally even with a cut and cover tunnel to provide an indoor connection to the rest of the complex, but $$$ probably prevents that). Also it would be a unique amenity to offer conferences, a competitive advantage on other venues if an event is looking for somewhere with a little more elegance than typical convention centers can offer.
The Ferrara Theater has the "bleh" feeling of a large high school or community college auditorium.
The city/cvc should buy it and use it for convention events and occasional concerts and comedy shows.
I know our “theater district” is grand center, but we should have a couple intimate theaters downtown too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I know our “theater district” is grand center, but we should have a couple intimate theaters downtown too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Back in the late 80s and early 90s right across the street from the theater was an old diner (where the Marriott Grand Hotel Parking Garage is) called Jimmy's Diner. It was a little hole in the wall building amongst the streetscape and was 24 hours. I was a senior in HS when we use to hang out there. We would go late and drink coffee, eat greasy food and play the jukebox. STLPD officers would come in/out. It was seedy but a time and an at an age we were fearless. 9th Street was dark and Jimmy's neon signs would flicker and the waitresses were as seedy with filthy trucker english... but we loved hanging there. I use to remember the American Theater across the street open sometimes for events... mainly hair bands and leather balls. In the early 90s the Metro opened the 8th and Pine subway station and we would go from the West End to downtown and hang at Jimmy's after the bars closed in the CWE. Then it closed when that area began to redevelope. It was sad to see. Many good times there. Wish I could find a photo of that old place ... it was straight out of the big city seedy days of the 60s into 90s.
Another note... in 1998 (the only time I was in the theater) we went to see Margaret Cho there and she was hilarious. I remembered then how beautiful that theater truly is.
Another note... in 1998 (the only time I was in the theater) we went to see Margaret Cho there and she was hilarious. I remembered then how beautiful that theater truly is.
I remember Jimmy's very well. Ate there lots of nights as it wasn't as busy because it was seen as more dangerous than Courtesy, Uncle Bills, OT Hodges or other late night places. But you're right in that there were always cops coming and going.matguy70 wrote: ↑Apr 12, 2023Back in the late 80s and early 90s right across the street from the theater was an old diner (where the Marriott Grand Hotel Parking Garage is) called Jimmy's Diner. It was a little hole in the wall building amongst the streetscape and was 24 hours. I was a senior in HS when we use to hang out there. We would go late and drink coffee, eat greasy food and play the jukebox. STLPD officers would come in/out. It was seedy but a time and an at an age we were fearless. 9th Street was dark and Jimmy's neon signs would flicker and the waitresses were as seedy with filthy trucker english... but we loved hanging there. I use to remember the American Theater across the street open sometimes for events... mainly hair bands and leather balls. In the early 90s the Metro opened the 8th and Pine subway station and we would go from the West End to downtown and hang at Jimmy's after the bars closed in the CWE. Then it closed when that area began to redevelope. It was sad to see. Many good times there. Wish I could find a photo of that old place ... it was straight out of the big city seedy days of the 60s into 90s.
Another note... in 1998 (the only time I was in the theater) we went to see Margaret Cho there and she was hilarious. I remembered then how beautiful that theater truly is.
While every waxes nostalgic for Mississippi Nights, the American had a solid run in the 90's as being the next step as artists grew. I know I'm showing off but I attended the following shows there:
- Red Hot Chili Peppers + Smashing Pumpkins
- Faith No More + Helmet
- A few Weezer shows
- A few Foo Fighters shows
- Sarah McLachlan + Paula Cole
- 311 + No Doubt
- Matchbox Twenty
- Garbage
- Ministry
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I have very fond memories of going with my HS gf to 3rd eye blind in ~1998.
It’s a beautiful building. If a church is who owns it now I just wish they would activate the space.
It’s a beautiful building. If a church is who owns it now I just wish they would activate the space.
At the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert Jason Sudeikis mentioned road tripping from Kansas City to St. Louis to see the Foo Fighters at the American Theater.
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It would be fantastic to see somebody the Kranzberg pick it up as a marquee place for local and travelling theatrical productions too small for the Fox. CVC or Marriott are obvious choices too.
That's probably the only way to get the place back. I don't see how the American can go up against, Stifel, Pageant and The Factory for concerts.GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑Apr 12, 2023It would be fantastic to see somebody the Kranzberg pick it up as a marquee place for local and travelling theatrical productions too small for the Fox. CVC or Marriott are obvious choices too.
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Anyone know anything about this theatre? Walked by it today. Worried about what the interior may be like.
Lots of talk about the abandoned collection of Railway, Chemical, At&t, Millenium but don’t hear much discourse from SLDC/Mayor on this one. Historic building in a prime spot
Lots of talk about the abandoned collection of Railway, Chemical, At&t, Millenium but don’t hear much discourse from SLDC/Mayor on this one. Historic building in a prime spot
If you're talking about the Orpheum, it's privately owned by a church. They bought it back in 2015 or 16. They've just sat on it. The interior is fine. It's not falling to ruin. It's actually quite spectacular. Like a mini version of the Symphony hall on Grand.delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑Nov 23, 2024Anyone know anything about this theatre? Walked by it today. Worried about what the interior may be like.
Lots of talk about the abandoned collection of Railway, Chemical, At&t, Millenium but don’t hear much discourse from SLDC/Mayor on this one. Historic building in a prime spot
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as of 2018 there was water damage from a leaky roof and a broken water pipe. no idea if Jubilee has done any repairs.
regardless, it's unfortunate that they chose St. Louis to be their new "headquarters". the City really doesn't need another tax-exempt organization collecting properties (including 120 LRA properties, apparently, in addition to the Orpheum and the St. Mary's orphanage in Walnut Park East). it sounds like they don't have much of a plan, nor the means to implement it. so i'm guessing the Orpheum will be sitting vacant indefinitely.
from 2017: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/who-are-the-new-owners-of-the-roberts-orpheum-theater-downtown/article_712df99f-f293-58bb-87eb-e5c40328bb10.html
regardless, it's unfortunate that they chose St. Louis to be their new "headquarters". the City really doesn't need another tax-exempt organization collecting properties (including 120 LRA properties, apparently, in addition to the Orpheum and the St. Mary's orphanage in Walnut Park East). it sounds like they don't have much of a plan, nor the means to implement it. so i'm guessing the Orpheum will be sitting vacant indefinitely.
from 2017: https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/who-are-the-new-owners-of-the-roberts-orpheum-theater-downtown/article_712df99f-f293-58bb-87eb-e5c40328bb10.html
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The city needs to add it to the list of properties to be aggressive about now then. It is an early downtown building that could not be replicated. We cannot let more buildings become Railway. It hasn’t had activity for 10 years. We need to be on top of it nowSRQ2STL wrote: ↑Nov 25, 2024If you're talking about the Orpheum, it's privately owned by a church. They bought it back in 2015 or 16. They've just sat on it. The interior is fine. It's not falling to ruin. It's actually quite spectacular. Like a mini version of the Symphony hall on Grand.delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑Nov 23, 2024Anyone know anything about this theatre? Walked by it today. Worried about what the interior may be like.
Lots of talk about the abandoned collection of Railway, Chemical, At&t, Millenium but don’t hear much discourse from SLDC/Mayor on this one. Historic building in a prime spot
Still my favorite NextSTL comments section ever:SRQ2STL wrote: ↑Nov 25, 2024If you're talking about the Orpheum, it's privately owned by a church. They bought it back in 2015 or 16. They've just sat on it. The interior is fine. It's not falling to ruin. It's actually quite spectacular. Like a mini version of the Symphony hall on Grand.
the cursed comments section in questionIf you die and resume consciousness in The Everlasting Lake of Fire then you will assuredly regret trampling on the blood of Christ; and thus, for your crime of hating Love you shall get what you deserve, and Almighty God will get the last scornful laugh.
You are free to be wise not free to be a fool: folly makes one a slave.
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^ yikes. forgot about that one. our comments got deleted. 
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Got to be careful with this. Using eminent domain on a church owned property would give the rednecks in Jeff City reason to stick their noses in the city’s eminent domain program.delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑Nov 25, 2024The city needs to add it to the list of properties to be aggressive about now then. It is an early downtown building that could not be replicated. We cannot let more buildings become Railway. It hasn’t had activity for 10 years. We need to be on top of it nowSRQ2STL wrote: ↑Nov 25, 2024If you're talking about the Orpheum, it's privately owned by a church. They bought it back in 2015 or 16. They've just sat on it. The interior is fine. It's not falling to ruin. It's actually quite spectacular. Like a mini version of the Symphony hall on Grand.delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑Nov 23, 2024Anyone know anything about this theatre? Walked by it today. Worried about what the interior may be like.
Lots of talk about the abandoned collection of Railway, Chemical, At&t, Millenium but don’t hear much discourse from SLDC/Mayor on this one. Historic building in a prime spot
Maybe. Completely guessing but I think on of 'Jeff City's' problem with the City is the appearence it never does anything nor attempts to fix anything.JaneJacobsGhost wrote: ↑Jan 07, 2025Got to be careful with this. Using eminent domain on a church owned property would give the rednecks in Jeff City reason to stick their noses in the city’s eminent domain program.
To many, it seems the City is always relying on Federal or State dollars, Forest Park Forever, Arch to Park, Greater St. Louis Inc., the Kranzbergs, the Taylors, corporations, universities, etc. prop up this 'Potemkim Village' while elected and appointed official squabble, fight and siphon with no accountability.
The city getting aggressive on derelict property maybe greeted with 'about time.'
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Not if it’s owned by a church it won’t - unless it’s a church the zealots in Jeff City don’t recognize like Scientology and Mormonism.
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Thank you @dbinsouthcity for bringing up the Orpheum Theatre as its neglect has been ignored in downtown discourse. We can’t afford to lose any more historic buildings downtown, yet we have a few that are on the chopping block (by fire or demolition by neglect) if we don’t act with the utmost urgency. I believe there’s a viable plan out there for the Orpheum, we just have to find those investors and people. It sitting in the hands of a neglectful owner with no plans will get us nowhere
The problem is what to use it for.
No convention use as there's the Ferara Theater inside the complex.
Between Stifel, Fox, renovated Powell Hall, Pageant and Factory we have enough live music venues.
I'm not trying to get rid of the place: but I'm struggling to see what it's future is.
No convention use as there's the Ferara Theater inside the complex.
Between Stifel, Fox, renovated Powell Hall, Pageant and Factory we have enough live music venues.
I'm not trying to get rid of the place: but I'm struggling to see what it's future is.
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Jubilee world Inc is not a church.JaneJacobsGhost wrote: ↑Jan 07, 2025Got to be careful with this. Using eminent domain on a church owned property would give the rednecks in Jeff City reason to stick their noses in the city’s eminent domain program.delmar2debaliviere2downtown wrote: ↑Nov 25, 2024The city needs to add it to the list of properties to be aggressive about now then. It is an early downtown building that could not be replicated. We cannot let more buildings become Railway. It hasn’t had activity for 10 years. We need to be on top of it nowSRQ2STL wrote: ↑Nov 25, 2024If you're talking about the Orpheum, it's privately owned by a church. They bought it back in 2015 or 16. They've just sat on it. The interior is fine. It's not falling to ruin. It's actually quite spectacular. Like a mini version of the Symphony hall on Grand.
More on them next week in STL Mag
A venue development group owned by the lead vocalist of Mumford and sons has been trying to approach JB to buy this but jb hasn’t answer the call. Others have tried as well
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If this is a “we won’t answer the phone” like Millennium site was, why can’t the city give them a nudge? If there are multiple parties interested…
A nudge would be the first notice of the eminent domain which should led by either Jami Cox Antwi or even Rasheen Aldridge's ward is right across the street. I know DB knows how to find them but anyone here concerned could also send a note of concern.
coxantwi@stlouis-mo.gov
aldridgera@stlouis-mo.gov
coxantwi@stlouis-mo.gov
aldridgera@stlouis-mo.gov
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Yes, that was what I was alluding to.