Mandelman proposes enhancing Castro Theatre landmark status
The Castro Theatre, which was designated City Landmark #100 in 1976, may see an enhancement of that status later this year if a resolution by gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman is approved.
Mandelman submitted the resolution during the May 10 meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. It seeks to amend the historic theater's landmark status by broadening the designation to include "the full historical, architectural, aesthetic and cultural interest and value of the Castro Theatre" as opposed to the current designation that only covers the building's elaborate California Churrigueresque revival style facade.
The theater, which was built in 1922, came under new management in January when Another Planet Entertainment, a live-music promotion company based in Berkeley, announced it would assume management of the site.
That announcement prompted much hand-wringing and anxiety among those who feared that APE's focus on live events would spell the end of LGBTQ-oriented programming at the cinema.
