Demolition begins on historic California Theatre in San Diego after safety concerns

The historic California Theatre in San Diego faces demolition due to safety concerns, sparking mixed reactions from residents about preserving its legacy.

SAN DIEGO — Demolition crews have begun the process of tearing down the historic California Theatre in downtown San Diego, a building that has sat empty for over three decades. Once celebrated as the “Cathedral of the Motion Picture” when it opened in 1927, the theatre has faced years of structural concerns, leading to its condemnation in 1990.

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The Prebys Foundation purchased the dilapidated building for $6.3 million in July and determined that it was unsafe. Crystal Page, vice president of communications for the Prebys Foundation, acknowledged the theatre’s sentimental value but stressed the need for safety, stating, “Unfortunately, it’s been condemned; we all love the feel and vibe of that building, but it’s just not safe.”

Situated at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and C Street, the nearly 100-year-old venue has become a canvas for graffiti and a point of frustration for nearby residents. San Diego resident Aaron Coutumas remarked, “There’s a lot of history there, but it’s about time it gets torn down… it’s a great eyesore.”

The demolition process will first involve clearing the interior and removing hazardous materials before crews start dismantling the exterior. Page explained the method of demolition, comparing it to using “a giant pair of what seems like scissors” to remove the building floor by floor.

However, not everyone is in favor of the theatre’s destruction. Local resident Sajda Sims expressed disappointment, saying, “It’s been here my whole entire life… I feel like it should be a historic landmark because I don’t think it should be torn down.” 

While the Prebys Foundation intends to preserve some of the theatre’s history, there is no finalized plan for the site yet. The foundation is engaging with the community to explore potential uses for the space, ranging from an apartment complex to an art museum or a grocery store. “We want to understand what’s most needed there, but also what brings life to downtown,” Page added.

Exterior demolition is set to commence early next year.