Tower Theatre Update

Posted on July 15, 2024September 5, 2024 by Rachel Getts

TOWER THEATRE PLANNING UPDATES

This page was last updated on July 15, 2024

Our goal is to update this page quarterly. Please check back frequently.

We extend our deep gratitude to all who have inquired about and continue to love the Tower. SLFS remains 100% committed to preserving this unique and wonderful cinematic gem.

WHY IS THE TOWER NOT OPEN?

Strengthening Tower Theatre for the Next 100 Years

We have exciting updates about our cherished 1928 Tower Theatre.

Since purchasing the Tower Theatre in December 2022, thanks to a generous grant from the Alternative Visions Fund, Salt Lake Film Society (SLFS) has been dedicated to ensuring this beloved landmark thrives for many more generations of cinema lovers. After the purchase, a thorough assessment revealed the Tower needs essential TLC for its long-term safety and sustainability. We are reaching out to foundational donors who are passionate about historic spaces, the environment, and changing the world and are thrilled to steward the Tower Theatre: Next 100 Years project. The Tower, in its current condition, cannot be opened for operations, and is not in a condition to be inhabited for cinema presentations at this time.

Here’s what’s happening and why planning is such a big deal:

To ensure the building’s longevity, SLFS is planning significant structural repairs and upgrades. This is a major undertaking because we want to do it right and preserve the Tower Theatre’s historic charm. It is not merely a quick fix; it requires careful planning, skilled work, and a significant budget/fundraising plan of action. Over the next few years, our dedicated team will meticulously develop a capital plan, architectural vision, and fundraising strategy to realize the Tower as an environmentally responsible cultural hub for nostalgic, modern, and uncensored cinematic experiences.

Over the years, even the sturdiest structures need a little extra support. Although SLFS has operated Tower Theatre as a steward for 23 years, we have only in the past 18 months, as new owners, been able to address these more substantial opportunities. For 23 years, SLFS, as a rental tenant, maintained the Tower Theatre on a limited budget, relying on generous patrons and donors to keep it running. This included installing new carpeting, ADA viewing areas, roofing, projection systems, sound systems, screens, plaster repairs, HVAC systems, and more.

Following the purchase of the Tower, SLFS engaged engineers and architects to assess and envision the future of this historic space. Structural evaluations revealed the need for safety and sustainability in critical areas. Professionals found structural deflections and visible cracks in the proscenium. The beam/truss supporting the roof of the Tower, and the proscenium head where the screen resides were deemed to need steel reinforcement, prompting a significant change for the building’s auditorium area. Additionally, significant overhaul of electrical systems, HVAC renovations, plumbing, roofing, and ADA access evaluations are required.

This planning presents opportunities to improve this safe space for accessibility, to renew screen size and cinema technology, and to focus on long-term sustainable and environmental preservation of the cinema. Thanks to Alternative Visions Fund, the Tower project will pursue an environmentally responsible path.

We are excited to have finally started this process as owners of the building. While the project will take time, we are committed to preserving the Tower Theatre as a cinematic home for our community. We are starting with foundational donors who can bring substantial resource to the project. If you or your business would like to be involved in the Tower Theatre: Next 100 Years project as a lead donor, please contact us at info@saltlakefilmsociety.org.

SLFS promises to continue offering Tower programming at Broadway Centre Cinemas, including our popular Tower of Terror series each fall.

We express our sincere gratitude to all who have engaged with us about the future of The Tower. Please continue to support SLFS’s mission to exhibit, create, and preserve cinematic experiences by becoming a Red Carpet Club sustainer at SLFStix .org/donate.

With love,

SLFS staff, board, advisory committees, and volunteers

THE TIMELINE

THE PROJECT HISTORY

The Tower Theatre, a 1928 movie house, holds many mysteries and secrets. For 23 years, SLFS rented the Tower Theatre, limiting our potential to invest in the building. In 2021, we planned a modest renovation, but the historic complexity of the building escalated costs. During this time, the Utah Theatre was being demolished, prompting SLFS to purchase the Tower to preserve it for future generations.

In December 2022, after lengthy negotiations and support from the Alternative Visions Fund, SLFS purchased the Tower. By March 2024, we proudly owned the building free and clear, thanks to generous leading support from Alternative Visions Fund. This monumental achievement aligns with our preservation mission, ensuring cinematic adventures continue at the Tower for generations. Building its future will require community support and a major capital campaign.

THE VISIONING PROGRESS

Since acquiring the Tower Theatre in December 2022, the Salt Lake Film Society (SLFS) has been hard at work, collaborating with arts leaders, board members, staff, and community partners to shape the future of the Tower Theatre: Next 100 Years Project. Our goal is to transform the 1928 Tower Theatre into an environmentally responsible hub for cultural, nostalgic, modern, and uncensored cinematic experiences.

As a cornerstone of the 9th and 9th community, the Tower Theatre will continue to be a safe haven for underrepresented voices and those who love exploring new ideas through film. This historic movie theater, the oldest single-screen venue in Utah dedicated solely to film, is a cultural landmark that deserves to be preserved for future generations.

This project will unfold in phases: Visioning, Planning, Design, and Construction. It will require significant capital investment and a robust fundraising campaign. While fundraising timelines and construction expectations can be unpredictable, we are inspired by similar successful projects, such as Coolidge Corner in Brookline, MA, which took a decade, the Belcourt in Nashville, which took five years, and locally, Spy Hop, which took seven years to build their facility.

Rest assured, the SLFS team is moving forward as swiftly as possible. Your engagement is crucial. As we progress through each phase, we will keep this website updated and let you know how to stay involved.

Remember, supporting our Broadway Centre Cinemas also strengthens the SLFS mission and the Tower project. You can become a monthly subscriber to the Red Carpet Club and attend films and events at the Broadway to help keep SLFS programs vibrant.

Stay with us. We will keep you posted on our progress and are committed to working diligently on the project. We are actively collaborating with architectural, engineering, and design teams to explore the potential of this unique cinema.

You may notice some essential repairs being made to the Tower throughout this process. These are not part of the capital construction but are necessary to maintain the building until major construction begins.

SLFS has always had the Tower at the heart of our mission, and we will continue to honor its character and purpose throughout the visioning and planning process. After all, Utah’s first cinema with air-conditioning and talkies deserves to keep its projector lamp shining brightly.

Taking on the Tower project in a post-pandemic arts recovery climate is ambitious, but our goal is to make the Tower Salt Lake Film Society’s premiere venue for director/actor Q&As, cultural and environmental films, panel discussions, archival film access, and various SLFS film programs. We are home to the largest video/DVD archive collection in Utah. The Tower is made by the community, for the community, and will remain accessible to all as a movie house and a place to celebrate the love of cinema.

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Tower Theatre Update Fall 2022

Posted on August 25, 2022August 26, 2022 by Rachel Getts

"While we don't have a reopening date yet, our goal is preservation of the Tower Theatre and also the neighborhood of 9th and 9th as a unique hub for neighbors and friends who support safe spaces for diverse communities to gather."

Tori Baker, CEO & Executive Director at SLFS

Here’s the full statement from our own Tori Baker, CEO & Executive Director at SLFS:

“Welcome to the 9th & 9th neighborhood and the Historic Tower Theatre. We are currently under renovation.

Salt Lake Film Society, your local nonprofit cinema organization, has a mission to EXHIBIT, CREATE, & PRESERVE the big-screen experience. Our amazing nonprofit staff is working with construction partners to reveal a renovated lobby, ADA improvements, and other upgrades.

While we don’t have a reopening date yet, our goal is preservation of the Tower Theatre and also the neighborhood of 9th and 9th as a unique hub for neighbors and friends who support safe spaces for diverse communities to gather.

Throughout 2022 we have been working on exterior repairs, including interior planning, drawings and design. We’ve also been committed to fund development, assessments and meetings with our 9th and 9th neighbors on neighborhood preservation ideas.

We are happy to report that the auditorium repainting, plus ceiling sound panels and video/DVD archive and library assessment are well under way. SLFS has received a pristine collection of 15,000 DVDs to add to our archive and will begin working on the vision for the archive’s return to the newly remodeled lobby.

While we are renovating, see curated films at our Broadway Centre Cinemas location, including traditional Tower programming such as Rocky Horror Picture Show, Tower of Terror, and the most innovative cinematic presentations of independent film in our state.”

You can be part of the preservation of the Tower as a Salt Lake Film Society Red Carpet Club subscriber or donor.

Cool Upcoming Films For Summer 2022

Posted on July 21, 2022July 21, 2022 by Rachel Getts

Coming Soon at Broadway

At SLFS we are trying to beat the heat with cinema. Here’s some upcoming films for the month of August 2022:

NOPE – July 22

FIRE OF LOVE – July 22

VENGEANCE – July 29

HALLELUJAH – August 5

BULLET TRAIN – August 5

BODIES BODIES BODIES – August 12

Of course, nothing is certain in these times and dates may change.

So keep an eye on this space or at slfstix.org for any new additions to the schedule. We still have some surprise announcements coming soon…

And don’t forget Summer Showdown every Friday and Saturday night! We will be finishing up with some classics that you don’t want to miss on the big screen.

SLFS Fall 2021 Update

Posted on November 16, 2021November 18, 2021 by FUEL

Film Availability – This is a bit of an unknown right now. As you know, we’ve been able to keep new films available virtually throughout the pandemic, but it’s been far from a normal time in film world. How the fall season will shake out is anyone’s guess. We’re hoping for some strong new independent cinema celebrating the courage and resilience we have all been trying to model. No matter what, we will be ready with a large curated selection of outstanding independent films that match SLFS patrons’ taste and our mission to exhibit, create, and preserve the independent film experience.

The Future of SLFS@home – We didn’t know when we created SLFS@home that we would want to keep it around post-pandemic, but we do! We’ve learned a lot about what access means to people who for whatever reason are not likely to come into a movie theater and we are so happy to commit to continuing to serve them and anyone else who would choose to stay at home and watch in their pjs. Some of the SLFS@home options might even be designed to enhance your enjoyment of the films you see in our theaters!

@homeArts – Our own Tori Baker, CEO/President, recently hosted Purpose in Action, a summit for the 30+ cinemas and arts organizations on @homeArts, the online platform we created for ourselves in mid-March of 2020 and have since opened up to dozens of independent cinemas around the nation and other arts organizations as well.

Hiring – We need you! We are job planning and we’ll soon be hiring to gear up and reopen. Keep an eye out here for opportunities.

The Reopening of the Broadway Centre Cinemas

Posted on October 19, 2021March 15, 2022 by FUEL

The Reopening of the Broadway Centre Cinemas – Brought to You by Love!

Ahem. Here we are. Really.

Five hundred and eighty-nine days after last being open, we will finally be showing films again at the Broadway. We are over-the-moon excited and a little nervous; it feels huge.

We are so grateful to you for all the love you’ve shown us and we can’t wait to see you again.

What follows will detail (click on heading to jump ahead):

–Films That Will Be Opening

–Health And Safety Guidelines

–What We’re Asking Of You

–What’s Up With The Tower

–What Will Happen To SLFS@home

-Other Useful Info You Might Need

There are so many people to thank. We send our deepest gratitude to all of you who have wished and worried on our behalf. Your concern and your love have sustained us. Thank you to everyone who donated at any point during the 589 days, whether by sending a check, setting up a recurring donation, tacking a couple of bucks onto an online screening payment or member renewal, or contributing to a challenge grant – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We felt great love from you and a great responsibility to get this whole thing right and make our way back to you as whole and as soon as possible.

The SLFS team is forging the future of this organization and giving their hearts to the mission. They all have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to keep our programs moving in the digital space and toward this historic moment of reopening our beloved Broadway.

We will bring our immense joy and your strong confidence in SLFS along with us as we finally, finally, walk back through our doors and begin in all the many ways, some old and some new, to Exhibit, Create, and Preserve the cinematic experience for all.

Much love from all of us.

What We’re Asking Of You

First, a word of thanks for all you have given us thus far. Your encouragement, donations, and positivity have kept us afloat during this time. We want you to feel safe and appreciated in our space. We are reopening because of you. You are so important to us.

Please follow the rules we have posted.

We also would like to ask you to maybe be a little extra patient with us as we all get our routines down. We definitely want you to feel free to let us know how we can improve, but in addition, if you could please offer up a bit of grace as we get going, that would be amazing. We are all trying so hard. Many of us at the front-of-house are new and learning our way.

Thank you so much.

What’s Up With The Tower

We’re busy refreshing and enhancing the Tower; however, due to supply-chain issues, a few of our projects are still in motion and will not be completed in time to open the doors just yet. We don’t anticipate a long delay. We’ll keep updates on social media and at SLFS.org. Continue to follow us, consider donating or becoming a subscriber, and without a doubt, we’d love to see you at the Broadway’s reopening on October 22.

What Will Happen To SLFS@home

SLFS@home will stay – it’s an important tool in our toolbox

We will continue our independent first-run film curation on the digital screen at SLFSathome.org (and the national curation we pioneered for @homeArts and the arthouse cinemas around the US).

The digital screen is becoming a vital part of our mission, allowing us to connect to artists in ways we have never been able to before. We can also curate panel discussions there on important societal and cinema arts themes.

One of our many epiphanies during the pandemic was that not all movie patrons want – or can enjoy – the brick-and-mortar cinema. The home environment can be the favorite theater for some, particularly, but not limited to, those with physical and emotional challenges.

We also learned that we could expand our reach throughout Utah and even globally through presenting our cultural tours programs and even our weekly films online.

We’ve decided that we like and see value in continuing to be part of the technology-driven virtual future of the film industry.

Other Useful Info You Might Need:

Filméxico is our next cultural program, so save the date for Nov. 12-18. You can enjoy it in theater and on SLFSathome.org.

Studio Backlot Motor Cinema presented by Redman Movies and Stories – Our fall season is complete, but the Motor Cinema is a semi-permanent third venue for SLFS. We’ll let you know when our next films will hit the screen.

Last updated October 19, 2021

Update 10/13/2021:

Reopening Update: Tower reopening delayed. We’re busy refreshing and enhancing the Tower daily, however, due to supply-chain issues a few of our enhancements are still in motion and will not be completed in time to open the doors in October. We don’t anticipate a long delay, we’ll keep updates on social media and at SLFS.org. Continue to follow us, consider donating or becoming a subscriber, and without a doubt, we’d love to see you at the Broadway, Oct. 22 for reopening.

Here’s some photos to show what we’ve been working on at our historic Tower Theatre:

Update August 2021:

Grand Reopening October 22!
We have missed you like crazy.
Thank you for your patience with us.

Used to be, showing explosion-free movies for adults was the most courageous thing we had to do.
Now, like you, we’ve had to do a ton of grown-up things since March of 2020. We’d tell you, but it’s boring.

Here’s the cool, interesting stuff we’ve been working on:

Broadway and Tower – We’re finally reopening our dear venues on October 22. We have some fun changes in store for you, like auditorium improvements at the Broadway and a new proscenium at the Tower, plus some surprises. With the current realities of construction material availability and worker scheduling, you may find that some things will still be in progress when we open. For example, we may not open every auditorium at the Broadway on October 22, but we will have plenty of films and auditoriums for you to choose from. We know you’ll understand if there are still some project elements underway. We can’t wait to welcome you back!

We will for sure crank up our awesome popcorn poppers for you! Of course, we will be following all CDC guidelines and we will want you to do the same.

Studio Backlot Motor Cinema presented by Redman Movies and Stories – The Fall season will run August 27 through October 16 with Cult and Horror films on the schedule. Fun fact: Some folks think the Motor Cinema was just a covid-coping idea, and yes, it has served us well in that regard, but the Motor Cinema is a semi-permanent third venue for SLFS. Come have a fright with us!

Here’s a deeper dive into more SLFS goings-on with an SLFS Fall 2021 Update.

Category: Updates