Nonprofit Strikes $7.1M Deal to Save Historic Garden Oaks Theater

Arthouse Houston has 90 days to raise funds to purchase the 80-year-old theater from an investment fund that planned to demolish it.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a bid to save the historic Garden Oaks Theater from demolition, the nonprofit Arthouse Houston has reached a $7.1 million deal with the investment fund that purchased the 80-year-old former theater. Arthouse Houston now has 90 days, with a possible 60-day extension, to raise the funds to buy the building from the investment fund, which had planned to demolish it.

Why it matters

The Garden Oaks Theater has been a community gathering space for decades, and its demolition would erase an important piece of Houston's history. Arthouse Houston's efforts to preserve the theater highlight the ongoing challenges of protecting historic buildings in rapidly changing neighborhoods, especially those without official landmark status.

The details

In October, the investment fund Heights Investment Fund purchased the Garden Oaks Theater, which had most recently been home to Grace Church since 2008. Arthouse Houston and other preservation groups raised concerns about the building's future under the new ownership, as it is not a protected landmark. After protests and discussions with city council members, Arthouse Houston was able to strike a deal with the investment fund to purchase the theater for the $7.1 million the fund paid for it. However, Arthouse Houston now has just 90 days, with a possible 60-day extension that would cost $100,000, to raise the necessary funds to complete the purchase and prevent the building's demolition.

  • In October, the Garden Oaks Theater was sold to Heights Investment Fund.
  • On February 20, 2026, signs were taken down from the Garden Oaks Theater.
  • On February 28, 2026, Arthouse Houston signed a deal with Heights Investment Fund to purchase the theater for $7.1 million.
  • Arthouse Houston has 90 days, with a possible 60-day extension, to raise the funds to complete the purchase.

The players

Arthouse Houston

A nonprofit organization that has struck a deal to purchase the historic Garden Oaks Theater in order to save it from demolition.

Heights Investment Fund

The investment fund that purchased the Garden Oaks Theater in October and planned to demolish the 80-year-old building.

Sallie Alcorn

A Houston City Council member who helped bring the investment fund and Arthouse Houston together to make a deal.

Mario Castillo

A Houston City Council member who helped bring the investment fund and Arthouse Houston together to make a deal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our intention was to get us into a situation where the community could come together, and with the community coming together and making donations that we could purchase the building from the current owner.”

— Maureen McNamara, Director, Arthouse Houston (Houston Chronicle)

“The new owner's intention was just to demolish the building. He already had his demo permit, had contracts, started some of the demolition process ... but our number one priority is to keep the wrecking ball from swinging forward.”

— Maureen McNamara, Director, Arthouse Houston (Houston Chronicle)

“It's time for all of us to band together and make it happen.”

— Maureen McNamara, Director, Arthouse Houston (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

Arthouse Houston has 90 days, with a possible 60-day extension that would cost $100,000, to raise the $7.1 million needed to purchase the Garden Oaks Theater from the Heights Investment Fund and prevent its demolition.

The takeaway

This deal highlights the ongoing challenges of preserving historic buildings in rapidly changing neighborhoods, especially those without official landmark status. Arthouse Houston's efforts to save the Garden Oaks Theater demonstrate the power of community organizing and the importance of finding creative solutions to protect important cultural and architectural landmarks.