Athens Theater Historic Tax Credit & New Markets Tax Credit Project
Project Facts
Total project cost:
$12.5 million
Sources of Funds:
$2 Million in NMTC Equity; $2.3 Million in Historic Tax Credit Equity, Private fundraising; local government grants;
Date Completed:
2009
Size:
approx. 14,809 sq. ft
Use:
Theatre/Performing Arts Center, Cultural Center
Developer(s):
Sands Theater Center, Inc.
Owner:
Sands Theater Center, Inc.
Year Built:
1921
Location:
124 N. Florida Avenue, DeLand, FLorida 32720
The Athens Theatre is one of the few existing examples of a classic American theatre in Central Florida. Once the centerpiece of DeLand, the Athens Theatre is a jewel of Italian Renaissance architecture. This historic theatre was designed in 1921 by prominent Orlando-based architect Murray S. King. The opening night performance on 6 January 1922 included a movie, live theatre performance and several vaudeville acts. The showplace evolved through the decades from a vaudeville theater, to a movie house, a place for community theatre and prom parties, a dinner theater, a video game room, a restaurant, a pizza, beer and movie house, and a teen nightspot. Following a renovation in the 1950s, the building slowly deteriorated and eventually closed in the early 1990s.
In 1993, MainStreet DeLand Association spearheaded the effort of community leaders and residents to restore the theater to its original splendor, and, with the help of a Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation Matching Grant, MainStreet purchased the Athens Theatre. Ownership was transferred in 2004 to Sands Theater Center, Inc. The grassroots involvement with the Athens Theatre restoration is a direct result of public memory and community identity. Community members’ stories link the Theatre not only with Volusia County’s history, but to the evolution of entertainment and “show business,”and to issues of greater cultural significance such as race and class stratification.
Brian Wishneff & Associates was engaged by the Sands Theater Center to manage the tax credit process for this project. BW&A became involved toward the end of the project but was able to help take advantage of these tax credit programs, which provided desperately needed funding to complete construction. The Theatre now hosts ballets, plays, musicals, concerts, and more.
The Athens Theatre is located in Historic Downtown DeLand, just 5 miles from Interstate 4. One block north and one block west of the intersection of US 17-92 and SR 44.