Fitchburg State University Partners with Developer to Revitalize Downtown Theater

New housing, retail, and restaurant space to replace long-vacant theater building

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Fitchburg State University has announced a partnership with developer GFI Partners to convert a former downtown theater building into a mixed-use development featuring new market-rate housing, retail, and restaurant space. The project will help revitalize Fitchburg's downtown corridor, which has struggled with a vacant and deteriorating theater building since it closed in 1987.

Why it matters

The project represents a significant private investment that will inject new vitality into Fitchburg's city center, supporting the community's need for additional housing stock and providing new commercial spaces. It also has the support of state and federal officials who recognize the project's potential to promote small business growth, create community gathering spaces, and transform Fitchburg's Main Street into a vibrant regional economic hub.

The details

The 707 Main St. project will involve new construction of multifamily, market-rate housing, along with retail and restaurant space, replacing the former theater building. Fitchburg State University's original plans to renovate the theater into a modern performing arts venue were ultimately not viable due to soaring cost estimates, changing theatergoing habits since the pandemic, and competing demands on the university's resources. The new partnership with GFI Partners, a real estate development firm with over 30 years of experience, will instead bring significant private investment to revitalize the downtown area.

  • Ground will be broken on the project this spring.
  • The former theater closed its doors in 1987.

The players

Fitchburg State University

A public university located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts that is partnering with a developer to revitalize the former downtown theater building.

GFI Partners

A real estate development firm with over 30 years of experience that is working with Fitchburg State University on the 707 Main St. project.

Donna Hodge

The president of Fitchburg State University.

Maura Healey

The governor of Massachusetts who supports the project as a way to revitalize Fitchburg's downtown and promote small business growth.

John Cronin

A state senator who says the project represents a historic investment to build housing, revitalize Fitchburg, and transform Main Street into a vibrant regional economic corridor.

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What they’re saying

“Between soaring cost estimates, changing theatergoing habits since the pandemic, the evolving needs of the university and competing demands on its resources, the vision from 2016 is simply no longer viable.”

— Donna Hodge, President, Fitchburg State University (nashobavalleyvoice.com)

“Downtowns are essential for promoting small businesses growth, providing spaces for the community to gather, and giving residents a lively and central place to live.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (nashobavalleyvoice.com)

“This project represents a historic investment to build housing for working families, revitalize Fitchburg, and further transform Main Street into a vibrant regional economic corridor and hub.”

— John Cronin, State Senator (nashobavalleyvoice.com)

What’s next

Ground will be broken on the 707 Main St. project this spring.

The takeaway

Fitchburg State University's partnership with GFI Partners to redevelop the former downtown theater building represents a significant private investment that will help revitalize Fitchburg's city center, addressing the community's need for additional housing and commercial spaces. The project has the support of state and local officials who see it as a way to promote small business growth, create community gathering spaces, and transform Fitchburg's Main Street into a vibrant regional economic hub.