Nampa Theater Set for Demolition as Developer Eyes Housing

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The Edwards Cinema in Nampa, Idaho, which closed its doors in 2022, is slated for demolition as the property's owner, Gardner Company, looks to redevelop the site for housing. The company says the theater building is not suitable for adaptive reuse and has become a liability due to maintenance costs and vandalism. The site is located in the Sugar District, a mixed-use development that is shifting focus to include more residential units to support the growing businesses and institutions in the area.

Why it matters

The closure and demolition of the Edwards Cinema reflects broader challenges facing the movie theater industry in the age of streaming services. As consumer habits have shifted, developers are looking to repurpose these large commercial spaces for residential uses that better align with current market demands. The redevelopment of the Nampa site also highlights the ongoing transformation of the city's Sugar District as it adapts to serve the needs of the growing population and businesses in the area.

The details

Permits filed with the City of Nampa show that the Edwards Cinema building, located at 1232 N. Galleria Dr., will be demolished. Gardner Company, the managing partner of the development, says they have received interest from many parties to use the building for other purposes, but it is not well-suited for adaptive reuse. The company has also had to deal with the costs of maintaining the vacant building and issues with vandalism. The site is located in the former Nampa Gateway District, which is now called the Sugar District, a nod to the area's sugarbeet processing history.

• The Edwards Cinema closed its doors for good in 2022.
• In November 2025, Gardner Company applied for changes to lift a cap on the development's total square footage, paving the way for more housing.
• On Friday, a ribbon-cutting was held for a new location of The Flying Pickle, located just west of the old theater, and a new Townhome Suites hotel opened in the fall.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The ability to construct housing on the site depends on a number of factors lining up, including getting plans approved, financing, and the demand for the homes. Gardner Company says that while challenges around costs remain, the market is going in a better direction to facilitate housing construction.